Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Gary Karakashian, M.D.
Optician · West Long Branch, NJ
Practice pattern: Clinical Cardiology
— Primarily office-based clinical cardiology
Low-engagement
Very High
DATA COVERAGE
Data in 4 of 4 federal sources
Measures public federal data availability — not provider quality
Informational, not a quality rating.
This page presents federal public records about Dr. Karakashian from CMS (NPPES, Open Payments, Medicare Provider Utilization, PECOS). It is not medical advice, an endorsement, or a judgment of clinical quality. Always consult the provider directly and a licensed clinician for medical decisions. Read methodology →
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What this data tells you about Dr. Karakashian
Dr. Gary Karakashian is an optician specialist in West Long Branch, NJ, with 20 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Karakashian performed 6,061 Medicare services across 2,223 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Karakashian received a total of $1,350 from 23 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 61 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in optician. Most payments are for meals and travel — low-value interactions common across virtually all practicing physicians. Patients may wish to discuss these relationships with their provider.
The Data Coverage level for Dr. Karakashian is Very High — reflecting how much public federal data is available about this provider. Patients are encouraged to use this data as one of several factors when choosing a healthcare provider.
✓ 20 years in practice
▲ Top 10% volume in NJ
$1,350 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗6,061
Medicare services
Top 10% in NJ for optician
2,223
Unique beneficiaries
$96
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~303 Medicare services per year of practice
Top procedures by volume
Ranked by number of services performed for Medicare patients. Avg. submitted charge is what the provider billed; avg. Medicare payment is what CMS paid.
| Procedure | Volume | Avg. paid | Avg. submitted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tissue pathology examination, moderate complexity A laboratory test where a pathologist examines tissue samples under a microscope to analyze cellular details. This intermediate complexity procedure involves specialized techniques to identify abnormalities in the tissue. |
2,181 | $31 | $74 |
| Office visit, established patient (20-29 min) An office visit for an existing patient lasting between 20 and 29 minutes. The visit involves medical evaluation and management of the patient's condition. |
901 | $73 | $128 |
| Shaving of skin growth, 1.1-2.0 cm This procedure involves shaving off a skin growth measuring between 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters from the body, arms, or legs. |
701 | $102 | $195 |
| Shaving of skin growth, 1.1-2.0 cm Removal of a skin growth by shaving the surface of the skin. The procedure is performed on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mouth and involves a lesion measuring between 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters. |
465 | $120 | $228 |
| Shaving of skin growth on face or mouth, larger than 2.0 cm This procedure involves shaving off a skin growth located on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mouth. The growth being removed is larger than 2.0 centimeters in size. |
281 | $153 | $315 |
| Shaving of skin growth, more than 2.0 cm Removal of a skin growth by shaving the surface with a blade. This procedure is performed on the body, arms, or legs when the growth exceeds 2.0 centimeters. |
238 | $129 | $255 |
| Shaving of skin growth, 1.1-2.0 cm Removal of a skin growth by shaving the surface. The procedure is performed on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals and involves a lesion measuring between 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters. |
210 | $108 | $202 |
| Complex or multiple skin abscess drainage A procedure to drain one or more skin abscesses that are complex in nature. This involves opening and cleaning the infected pockets under the skin. |
110 | $184 | $281 |
| Destruction of 15 or more precancerous skin growths This procedure involves the removal or destruction of fifteen or more precancerous skin lesions. It is performed to treat abnormal skin cells that have the potential to develop into cancer. |
110 | $149 | $421 |
| New patient office visit (30-44 min) An initial office visit for a new patient lasting between 30 and 44 minutes. This code is used when the total time spent on the date of the encounter falls within this range. |
110 | $83 | $202 |
| Pathology tissue examination, moderate complexity A laboratory test where a pathologist examines tissue samples under a microscope to identify abnormalities. This specific level indicates a moderate degree of complexity in the analysis. |
94 | $10 | $105 |
| Removal of noncancer skin growth, face/ears/eyelids/nose/lips/mouth, 0.6-1.0 cm This procedure involves the surgical removal of a benign skin growth from the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mouth. The growth removed measures between 0.6 and 1.0 centimeters in diameter. |
80 | $121 | $264 |
| Skin growth removal and lab exam, 1-5 blocks This procedure involves the removal of a growth from the head, neck, hands, feet, or genitals. The removed tissue is then examined under a microscope in the laboratory. |
79 | $596 | $1,303 |
| Shaving of skin growth, larger than 2.0 cm This procedure involves the removal of a skin growth by shaving it off. It is performed on areas such as the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals when the growth exceeds 2.0 cm in size. |
61 | $122 | $261 |
| Injection into skin growths, more than 7 A procedure involving the injection of medication into more than seven skin growths. |
52 | $59 | $113 |
| Removal of noncancer skin growth, 1.1-2.0 cm This procedure involves the surgical removal of a benign skin growth located on the body, arms, or legs. The growth measured between 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters in diameter. |
44 | $143 | $268 |
| Removal and microscopic exam of growth of head, neck, hands, feet, or genitals, each additional stage, 1-5 tissue blocks | 43 | $368 | $795 |
| Skin growth removal and lab exam, 1-5 blocks A procedure to remove a growth from the trunk, arms, or legs and send 1 to 5 tissue samples to a laboratory for microscopic examination. |
42 | $557 | $1,303 |
| Additional Mohs surgery stage with microscopic exam This procedure involves the removal and microscopic examination of an additional stage of tissue from the trunk, arms, or legs. It is performed in stages to ensure complete removal of the growth. |
38 | $353 | $784 |
| Destruction of cancerous skin growth on face, 3.1-4.0 cm This procedure involves the removal or destruction of a cancerous skin lesion located on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mouth. The treatment area measures between 3.1 and 4.0 centimeters. |
35 | $236 | $390 |
| Eyelid growth removal A procedure to remove a growth from the eyelid. |
30 | $242 | $537 |
| Intermediate wound repair, 2.6-7.5 cm A medical procedure to close a wound on the scalp, underarms, trunk, arms, or legs that measures between 2.6 and 7.5 centimeters. This type of repair involves cleaning the wound and stitching it closed to promote healing. |
24 | $269 | $457 |
| Removal of noncancer skin growth, 0.6-1.0 cm This procedure involves the removal of a benign skin growth located on the body, arms, or legs. The growth removed measures between 0.6 and 1.0 centimeters in diameter. |
22 | $126 | $252 |
| Removal of noncancer skin growth, 1.1-2.0 cm This procedure involves the surgical removal of a benign skin growth measuring between 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters from the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals. |
22 | $156 | $288 |
| Removal of noncancer skin growth, 2.1-3.0 cm This procedure involves the surgical removal of a benign skin growth located on the body, arms, or legs. The excised tissue measures between 2.1 and 3.0 centimeters in diameter. |
15 | $106 | $288 |
| Removal of noncancer skin growth, face/ears/eyelids/nose/lips/mouth, 1.1-2.0 cm This procedure involves the surgical removal of a benign skin growth from the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mouth. The growth removed measures between 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters in diameter. |
15 | $144 | $288 |
| Destruction of cancerous skin growth, 3.1-4.0 cm This procedure involves the removal or destruction of a cancerous skin lesion on the trunk, arms, or legs that measures between 3.1 and 4.0 centimeters. |
15 | $172 | $298 |
| Destruction of cancer skin growth, 3.1-4.0 cm This procedure involves the removal or destruction of a cancerous skin growth measuring between 3.1 and 4.0 centimeters. The treatment is performed on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals. |
15 | $193 | $321 |
| Complex wound repair, 1.1-2.5 cm A surgical procedure to close a complex wound measuring between 1.1 and 2.5 centimeters on areas such as the face, neck, hands, or feet. |
14 | $347 | $583 |
| Skin graft repair, 10 sq cm or less A surgical procedure to repair a wound by transferring a small piece of skin to the affected area. The graft covers wounds on the face, neck, hands, feet, or other specified body parts. |
14 | $671 | $1,113 |
How to read this data: This reflects Medicare patients only (typically 65+). Payment amounts are what Medicare paid the provider, not your out-of-pocket cost. A higher procedure volume generally indicates more experience with that procedure.
0.6% high complexity
0.9% medium
98.5% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$1,350
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $193/year across 7 years
Top 41% in NJ for optician
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
23
Companies
61
Individual payments
All payments are legal and publicly reported · Not evidence of wrongdoing · How to interpret →
Payment profile
Industry payments classified by relationship type. Not all payments are equal — research and consulting reflect different relationships than speaking programs or meals.
Meals & Travel
Food, beverages, travel, and lodging — typically low-value
$1,350 (100.0%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$176
2023
$187
2022
$124
2021
$376
2020
$218
2019
$95
2018
$174
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INC.
$79
ABBVIE INC.
$65
ConvaTec Inc.
$17
Ortho Dermatologics, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC
$15
Top 3 companies account for 91.7% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Allergan, Inc.
$353
LEO Pharma Inc.
$169
Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
$148
ABBVIE INC.
$131
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc.
$85
SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INC.
$79
Mayne Pharma Inc.
$41
Biofrontera Inc.
$39
PFIZER INC.
$38
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$30
Allergan Inc.
$30
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$26
Almirall LLC
$26
GENZYME CORPORATION
$20
ConvaTec Inc.
$17
Bioventus LLC
$17
Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$16
Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$15
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
$15
Ortho Dermatologics, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC
$15
MAYNE PHARMA INC.
$14
STRATA Skin Sciences, Inc.
$13
EPI Health, LLC
$12
Top 3 companies account for 49.7% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
ABSORICA · AMELUZ · BF-RhodoLED · BOTOX · BOTOX COSMETIC · CLODERM · Cabtreo · DORYX · DUPIXENT · ENSTILAR · EUCRISA · ILUMYA · INNOVAMATRIX AC · LEVULAN KERASTICK · NUZYRA · Odomzo · Olux · REMICADE · SIVEXTRO · SOOLANTRA · Tremfya · Veltin · XTRAC
Should you be concerned? Payments from pharmaceutical and device companies are legal and common — 57% of U.S. physicians receive at least one. They often reflect legitimate consulting, research, or education. What matters is whether a recommended drug or device appears in your doctor's payment records. If so, consider asking your doctor about it. How to interpret this data →
Most payments (100%) are for meals and travel — low-value interactions that are common across virtually all practicing physicians.
Geographic Context
Opticians within 10 mi
5,717
Per 100K population
888.3
County median income
$122,727
Nearest hospital
MONMOUTH MEDICAL CENTER
1.7 mi
1.7 mi
Data Sources
| Provider Registry | ✓ NPPES | Weekly updates |
| Medicare Enrollment | ✓ PECOS | Monthly updates |
| Practice Data | ✓ Medicare Util. | Annual (CY lag) |
| Industry Payments | ✓ Open Payments | CY 2024 |
| Disciplinary History | — Not public | N/A |
This provider has data in 4 of 4 available federal datasets, with a Data Coverage level of Very High. This reflects how much public data is available about a provider. How we calculate this →
Summary
Dr. Karakashian is a clinical cardiology specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 10% in NJ), with low-engagement industry engagement, with 20 years of NPI registration.
This summary is auto-generated from federal data, describing data availability and patterns. Read our methodology →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dr. Karakashian experienced with tissue pathology examination, moderate complexity?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Karakashian performed 2,181 tissue pathology examination, moderate complexity services. Research suggests that higher procedure volume is often associated with better outcomes, particularly for complex procedures. Note that Medicare data only captures patients aged 65 and older, so the total practice volume across all patients is likely higher.
Does Dr. Karakashian receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Karakashian received a total of $1,350 from 23 companies across 61 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common among physicians — 57% of all U.S. physicians receive at least one industry payment. Patients may wish to ask their doctor about these relationships, especially if a recommended drug or device appears in the payment records.
How do Dr. Karakashian's costs compare to other opticians in West Long Branch?
Dr. Karakashian's average Medicare payment per service is $96. Note that these figures represent what Medicare pays, not your out-of-pocket cost, which depends on your specific insurance plan and deductible. Procedure-level data above shows both what was submitted and what Medicare paid for each service type.
What does Data Coverage mean?
Data Coverage (currently Very High for Dr. Karakashian) measures how much public federal data is available about a provider. It is not a quality rating. A "Very High" or "High" level means the provider has data across multiple federal sources (NPPES, PECOS, Medicare Utilization, Open Payments), indicating a long track record of practice, Medicare participation, and industry disclosure. A "Low" or "Moderate" level may simply mean the provider is newer, does not see Medicare patients, or has not received any industry payments — none of which are inherently negative. Read our full methodology →
Is this data up to date?
Each data source has its own update cycle. Provider registry data (NPPES) is updated weekly. Medicare enrollment (PECOS) is updated monthly. Medicare practice data has a ~2 year lag — the most recent available is typically 2 years prior. Industry payment data (Open Payments) is published annually, usually in June, covering the prior calendar year. We display the data date prominently on each section so you always know how current it is. See our data freshness policy →
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About this page
All data on this page is sourced verbatim from public federal records published by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): NPPES ↗, Open Payments ↗, Medicare Provider Utilization ↗, and PECOS. Publication is mandated by the Physician Payments Sunshine Act (§6002 ACA, 42 U.S.C. §1320a-7h) and the Freedom of Information Act.
This page is not medical advice, an endorsement, a recommendation, or a quality rating. Data Coverage reflects data completeness — how much federal information exists for this provider — not clinical performance, patient outcomes, or quality of care. Always verify information directly with the provider and consult a licensed clinician before making medical decisions.
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