Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Christopher Stark, MD
Vascular & Interventional Radiology Physician · Albany, NY
Practice pattern: Mixed Practice
— Diverse clinical practice across multiple procedure types
Speaking/Promotional
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. Stark 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. Stark
Dr. Christopher Stark is a vascular & interventional radiology physician in Albany, NY, with 15 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Stark performed 6,982 Medicare services across 1,146 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Stark received a total of $91,579 from 27 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 227 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in vascular & interventional radiology physician. The majority of payments are for speaking programs and promotional activities, reflecting participation in industry-sponsored events. Patients may wish to discuss these relationships with their provider.
The Data Coverage level for Dr. Stark 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.
✓ 15 years in practice
▲ Top 8% volume in NY
$91,579 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗6,982
Medicare services
Top 8% in NY for vascular & interventional radiology physician
1,146
Unique beneficiaries
$13
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~465 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contrast dye for imaging (iodine-based) A contrast agent containing 300-399 mg/ml of iodine used to enhance imaging studies. It is administered per milliliter to improve the visibility of internal structures. |
5,695 | $0 | $1 |
| Sedation by physician, initial 15 minutes Administration of a drug to induce depression of consciousness by the physician performing a procedure. This code covers the initial 15 minutes of sedation for patients aged 5 years or older. |
294 | $10 | $42 |
| Ultrasound guidance for blood vessel access Use of ultrasound imaging to help locate and access a blood vessel. This guidance assists healthcare providers in performing procedures such as inserting IV lines or drawing blood. |
69 | $11 | $30 |
| Fluoroscopic guidance for central vein access device Use of live X-ray imaging to guide the placement or removal of a central vein access device. |
69 | $14 | $45 |
| Abdominal fluid drainage with imaging guidance Removal of fluid from the abdominal cavity using imaging technology to guide the procedure. |
64 | $78 | $279 |
| 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. |
52 | $65 | $141 |
| Radiologist review of additional artery image A radiologist reviews an additional image of an artery. This step involves professional interpretation of the imaging data. |
44 | $36 | $95 |
| Bone marrow biopsy and aspiration A procedure to remove a small sample of bone marrow and liquid for laboratory testing. The sample is analyzed to help diagnose various medical conditions. |
41 | $55 | $177 |
| Radiologist review of abdominal artery image A radiologist reviews images of the arteries in the abdomen to assess their structure and function. |
34 | $74 | $200 |
| Arterial catheter insertion, initial third order branch Insertion of a tube into an abdominal, pelvic, or leg artery, specifically targeting the initial third order branch. |
33 | $138 | $587 |
| Ultrasound guidance for needle placement Use of ultrasound imaging to guide the precise placement of a needle during a medical procedure. |
33 | $24 | $73 |
| CT scan of abdominal and pelvic blood vessels with contrast A computed tomography scan that uses contrast dye to visualize the blood vessels in the abdomen and pelvis. |
32 | $294 | $1,000 |
| Arterial tube insertion, additional vessels This code covers the insertion of a tube into an additional artery in the abdomen, pelvis, or leg during a procedure where other arteries have already been accessed. |
31 | $37 | $102 |
| Insertion of tunneled central venous catheter for infusion, age 5+ A surgical procedure to place a long-term catheter into a large vein for delivering medications or fluids. The catheter is tunneled under the skin to reduce infection risk and provide stable access for patients aged 5 and older. |
31 | $179 | $598 |
| Chest fluid aspiration with imaging guidance This procedure involves removing fluid from the chest cavity using imaging technology to guide the needle placement. |
30 | $81 | $444 |
| Central venous port insertion A surgical procedure to place a small reservoir under the skin for long-term access to the bloodstream. The device is connected to a vein to allow for repeated medication administration or blood draws. |
27 | $259 | $932 |
| Ultrasound of arm and leg arteries A non-invasive imaging test that uses sound waves to examine the blood vessels in the arms and legs. It evaluates blood flow and checks for blockages or other vascular issues. |
27 | $86 | $266 |
| Kidney needle biopsy A procedure in which a needle is used to remove a small sample of kidney tissue for examination. |
24 | $90 | $383 |
| Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement Use of real-time X-ray imaging to guide the precise placement of a needle during a medical procedure. |
23 | $19 | $57 |
| CT scan of chest blood vessels with contrast A CT scan that uses contrast dye to create detailed images of the blood vessels in the chest. |
21 | $170 | $1,100 |
| Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy, first lesion A biopsy procedure where a thin needle is used to collect tissue samples from a growth, guided by ultrasound imaging. This code applies to the first lesion or mass sampled during the session. |
20 | $106 | $259 |
| Artery or vein bleeding occlusion with radiologist review A procedure to stop bleeding in an artery or vein, including review by a radiologist. |
18 | $494 | $10,306 |
| Radiologist review of CT-guided needle placement A radiologist reviews the CT imaging used to guide the placement of a needle. |
18 | $56 | $222 |
| Office visit, established patient (30-39 min) A follow-up office visit for an existing patient lasting between 30 and 39 minutes. The visit involves medical evaluation and management of the patient's condition. |
18 | $94 | $210 |
| Chest X-ray, 1 view An X-ray image of the chest taken from a single angle. This imaging test is used to visualize the structures within the chest cavity. |
17 | $7 | $28 |
| Abdominal fluid drainage by tube with imaging guidance A procedure to remove fluid from the abdominal cavity using a tube. Imaging guidance is used to direct the placement of the tube. |
16 | $142 | $1,600 |
| Complete blood count (CBC) with differential An automated laboratory test that measures the levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood, including a breakdown of the different types of white blood cells. |
16 | $8 | $24 |
| 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. |
16 | $87 | $210 |
| Insertion of non-tunneled central venous catheter A procedure to place a central venous catheter for infusion in patients aged 5 years or older. The catheter is inserted directly into a large vein without being tunneled under the skin. |
15 | $65 | $237 |
| Liver needle biopsy through skin A procedure in which a needle is inserted through the skin to remove a small sample of liver tissue for examination. |
15 | $66 | $197 |
| Blood draw (venipuncture) Insertion of a needle into a vein to collect a blood sample. |
14 | $8 | $20 |
| Vena cava filter insertion with radiologist review A procedure to place a filter in the vena cava to prevent blood clots from traveling to the lungs, including review by a radiologist. |
14 | $169 | $458 |
| Lumbar puncture with imaging guidance A procedure to remove spinal fluid from the lower back for diagnostic testing, performed using imaging guidance. |
14 | $66 | $197 |
| Chest X-ray, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the chest that captures two different angles to visualize the lungs, heart, and chest wall. |
14 | $8 | $40 |
| Chest fluid drainage with tube insertion using imaging guidance This procedure removes fluid from the chest cavity and places a tube to stay in place for ongoing drainage. Imaging guidance is used to help position the tube accurately. |
13 | $103 | $382 |
| Removal of tunneled central venous tube This procedure involves the removal of a catheter that has been surgically placed under the skin and threaded into a large vein. |
13 | $101 | $293 |
| Core needle biopsy of lung or mediastinum A procedure to remove a small tissue sample from the lung or the space between the lungs using a needle inserted through the skin. |
12 | $110 | $1,416 |
| Infusion tube insertion with imaging guidance A radiologist inserts an infusion tube into the body while using imaging guidance to ensure proper placement and reviews the procedure. |
12 | $69 | $214 |
| Needle biopsy or removal of surface lymph nodes A procedure to obtain a tissue sample or remove lymph nodes located near the surface of the body using a needle. |
11 | $67 | $270 |
| Kidney tube placement with imaging guidance A tube is placed into the kidney using imaging guidance. A radiologist reviews the procedure. |
11 | $172 | $1,438 |
| New patient office visit (45-59 min) An initial office visit for a new patient lasting between 45 and 59 minutes. This code covers the total time spent by the physician or qualified healthcare professional on the date of the encounter. |
11 | $129 | $324 |
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.
1.3% high complexity
88.1% medium
10.6% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$91,579
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $13,083/year across 7 years
Top 6% in NY for vascular & interventional radiology physician
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
27
Companies
227
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.
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$81,492 (89.0%)
Meals & Travel
Food, beverages, travel, and lodging — typically low-value
$9,730 (10.6%)
Consulting
Expert advisory fees, typically reflecting recognized clinical expertise
$357 (0.4%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$83,319
2023
$2,012
2022
$2,854
2021
$228
2020
$790
2019
$1,977
2018
$400
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Sirtex Medical Inc
$81,492
Medtronic, Inc.
$786
Boston Scientific Corporation
$512
Terumo Medical Corporation
$357
AngioDynamics, Inc.
$58
Galvanize Therapeutics, Inc
$43
Inari Medical, Inc.
$38
Nevro Corp.
$19
Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
$16
Top 3 companies account for 99.4% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Sirtex Medical Inc
$82,475
Inari Medical, Inc.
$2,919
Boston Scientific Corporation
$2,691
Biocompatibles, Inc.
$966
Medtronic, Inc.
$940
Terumo Medical Corporation
$503
Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
$146
AngioDynamics, Inc.
$99
Philips Electronics North America Corporation
$94
Medical Device Business Services, Inc.
$94
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc
$93
Abbott Laboratories
$91
BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION
$83
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$51
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
$47
Galvanize Therapeutics, Inc
$43
Chiesi USA, Inc.
$31
GUERBET LLC
$29
Becton, Dickinson and Company
$26
ABIOMED
$25
Stryker Corporation
$25
BARD PERIPHERAL VASCULAR, INC.
$24
TriSalus Life Sciences, Inc.
$20
Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc.
$19
Nevro Corp.
$19
Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
$16
Penumbra, Inc.
$14
Top 3 companies account for 96.2% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
(0173) EPIQ 7G · ABRE · ALIYA SYSTEM · ANGIOJET · AZUR CX DETACHABLE · Abre · AngioVac · CAROTID WALLSTENT · CERTUS 140 MICROWAVE ABLATION SYSTEM · CONCERTOTM · Carotid WALLSTENT · Cios Alpha · Concerto · DIREXION · EMBOLD Fibered · EMBOZENE · ENTRESTO · EVERFLEX · EVERFLEX PROTG EVERFLEX · FLOWTRIEVER CATHETER · FlowTriever · GENERAL VASCULAR INTERVENTION · GENERAL EMBOLICS · GENERAL GUIDEWIRES · GENERAL - EMBOLICS · General - Vascular Intervention · Glidesheath · HAWKONE · IN.PACT ADMIRAL · IN.PACT AV · Impella · KENGREAL · LAVA LES (Liquid Embolic System) · LUTATHERA · Lipiodol · MICRO ACCESS · MVP · NAVICROSS · PERCLOSE PROGLIDE · Penumbra System · Perclose ProGlide suture mediated closure system · Rebar-APV · S · SIR-Spheres Microspheres · SMART PORT CT · SPINEJACK · Senza · THERASPHERE - BIO · TR Band · TRINAV INFUSION SYSTEM · TURBOHAWK · TheraSphere Y90 Glass Microspheres 10 GBq · TheraSphere Y90 Glass Microspheres 7.0 GBq (US Commercial) · UPTRAVI · VENOVO · VISUAL-ICE · Venous Wolf · XARELTO
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 →
The majority of payments (89%) are for speaking programs and promotional activities, which reflect participation in industry-sponsored educational or marketing events. This is common in vascular & interventional radiology physician and does not inherently indicate bias, but patients may wish to be aware. Total industry engagement is in the top 6% for vascular & interventional radiology physician in NY.
Geographic Context
Vascular & interventional radiology physicians within 10 mi
12
Per 100K population
3.8
County median income
$83,149
Nearest hospital
ALBANY MEDICAL CENTER HOSPITAL
0.0 mi
0.0 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. Stark is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 8% in NY), with speaking/promotional industry engagement in the top 6% of NY peers, with 15 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. Stark experienced with contrast dye for imaging (iodine-based)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Stark performed 5,695 contrast dye for imaging (iodine-based) 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. Stark receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Stark received a total of $91,579 from 27 companies across 227 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. Stark's costs compare to other vascular & interventional radiology physicians in Albany?
Dr. Stark's average Medicare payment per service is $13. 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. Stark) 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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