Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Dong Ko, M.D.
Pain Medicine (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation) Physician · Allentown, PA
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. Ko 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 →
Are you Dr. Ko?
Request a correction or review of any data shown here. Provider portal →
What this data tells you about Dr. Ko
Dr. Dong Ko is a pain medicine physician in Allentown, PA, with 20 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Ko performed 4,527 Medicare services across 2,227 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Ko received a total of $10,421 from 48 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 738 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in pain medicine (physical medicine & rehabilitation) physician. 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. Ko 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 20% volume in PA
$10,421 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗4,527
Medicare services
Top 20% in PA for pain medicine (physical medicine & rehabilitation) physician
2,227
Unique beneficiaries
$86
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~226 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
864 | $60 | $203 |
| Betamethasone steroid injection An injection containing a combination of betamethasone acetate and betamethasone sodium phosphate. |
765 | $5 | $10 |
| Drug screening test A laboratory test that uses a chemistry analyzer to detect the presence of drugs in a sample. |
570 | $61 | $200 |
| Definitive drug test using GC/MS or LC/MS A definitive drug test that identifies specific drugs and distinguishes between structural isomers using advanced methods like GC/MS or LC/MS. |
516 | $111 | $350 |
| Contrast dye for imaging, lower concentration | 429 | $0 | $1 |
| Facet joint nerve destruction, additional joint This procedure uses imaging guidance to destroy nerves in an additional lower or sacral spinal facet joint. |
138 | $237 | $523 |
| Facet joint nerve destruction, single joint A procedure to destroy nerves in a single lower or sacral spinal facet joint using imaging guidance to target pain signals. |
135 | $437 | $1,267 |
| Joint injection, major joint Removal of fluid from a large joint and/or injection of medication into the joint space. |
130 | $51 | $201 |
| Spine facet joint injection with imaging guidance, single level An injection is administered into a single facet joint of the lower or sacral spine while using imaging guidance to ensure accurate placement. |
118 | $173 | $516 |
| Facet joint injection, second level, with imaging guidance An injection into a lower or sacral spine facet joint using imaging guidance for the second level treated. |
118 | $94 | $259 |
| Sacral spine nerve root injection with imaging guidance An injection of anesthetic and/or steroid medication into a sacral spine nerve root. The procedure uses imaging guidance to ensure accurate placement. |
97 | $189 | $683 |
| Additional sacral spine nerve root injection with imaging An injection of anesthetic and/or steroid medication into an additional sacral spine nerve root level, guided by imaging. |
79 | $83 | $285 |
| Spine facet joint injection with imaging guidance, single level An injection is administered into a single facet joint of the upper or middle spine while using imaging guidance to ensure accurate placement. |
71 | $191 | $574 |
| Facet joint injection, second level, with imaging An injection into a second spinal facet joint in the upper or middle spine, guided by imaging to ensure accurate placement. |
71 | $100 | $282 |
| Injection into lower spine canal with imaging guidance A procedure where a substance is injected into the lower part of the spinal canal. The injection is performed using imaging guidance to ensure accurate placement. |
53 | $195 | $696 |
| Compounded drug, not otherwise classified A medication prepared specifically for an individual patient by a pharmacist or physician, tailored to meet unique needs that cannot be fulfilled by commercially available products. |
42 | $65 | $94 |
| Spinal drug pump reprogramming and refill Electronic adjustment of the settings for a spinal drug infusion pump and replenishment of the medication reservoir. |
41 | $65 | $485 |
| Facet joint nerve destruction, single joint This procedure uses imaging guidance to destroy the nerves supplying a single upper or middle spinal facet joint. It is performed to interrupt pain signals from that specific joint. |
41 | $393 | $1,280 |
| Facet joint nerve destruction, additional joint This procedure uses imaging guidance to destroy nerves in an additional upper or middle spinal facet joint. |
41 | $241 | $582 |
| 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. |
40 | $66 | $304 |
| Definitive drug test using GC/MS or LC/MS A definitive drug test that identifies specific drugs and distinguishes between structural isomers using advanced methods like GC/MS or LC/MS. |
36 | $150 | $450 |
| Spinal nerve root injection with imaging guidance An injection of anesthetic or steroid medication into a single nerve root in the upper or middle spine. The procedure uses imaging guidance to ensure accurate placement. |
30 | $217 | $740 |
| Electronic analysis and reprogramming of spinal drug pump This procedure involves electronically analyzing and reprogramming a spinal canal drug infusion pump. It does not include the surgical insertion or removal of the device. |
23 | $29 | $158 |
| Spinal sympathetic nerve block injection An anesthetic medication is injected into the sympathetic nerves of the middle or lower spine to block pain signals. |
23 | $166 | $556 |
| Additional spine nerve root injection with imaging An anesthetic and/or steroid medication is injected into an additional nerve root in the upper or middle spine. The procedure uses imaging guidance to ensure accurate placement. |
22 | $97 | $357 |
| Injection of anesthetic or steroid into sacroiliac joint with imaging guidance This procedure involves injecting an anesthetic or steroid medication into the joint connecting the lower spine and hip bone. Imaging guidance is used to ensure accurate placement of the injection. |
20 | $120 | $486 |
| Trigger point injection, 1-2 muscles A procedure involving the injection of medication into one or two specific muscles to treat trigger points. |
14 | $37 | $155 |
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.
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$10,421
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $1,489/year across 7 years
Top 14% in PA for pain medicine (physical medicine & rehabilitation) physician
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
48
Companies
738
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
$10,421 (100.0%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$1,143
2023
$1,088
2022
$906
2021
$728
2020
$784
2019
$2,071
2018
$3,701
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Salix Pharmaceuticals, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC
$655
Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc.
$378
Valinor Pharma, LLC
$24
ABBVIE INC.
$24
Averitas Pharma Inc.
$22
SI-BONE, INC.
$21
VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED
$19
Top 3 companies account for 92.4% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc.
$1,800
Salix Pharmaceuticals, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC
$1,521
Daiichi Sankyo Inc.
$1,366
PFIZER INC.
$1,198
Medtronic USA, Inc.
$857
Scilex Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$504
Medtronic, Inc.
$320
US WorldMeds, LLC
$302
RedHill Biopharma Inc.
$248
TerSera Therapeutics LLC
$212
Purdue Pharma L.P.
$174
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
$168
Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.
$160
MML US, Inc.
$151
SCILEX PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
$136
Pernix Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.
$121
ABBVIE INC.
$97
BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc.
$91
Vertical Pharmaceuticals, LLC
$88
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$73
Forte Bio-Pharma LLC
$72
ASSERTIO THERAPEUTICS, Inc.
$69
Nevro Corp.
$61
Assertio Therapeutics, Inc.
$46
Shionogi Inc
$41
Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.
$38
BIODELIVERY SCIENCES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
$37
Amgen Inc.
$35
Bioventus LLC
$32
Flowonix Medical Incorporated
$32
Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA
$32
Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC
$29
Nuvectra Corporation
$27
Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$26
Valinor Pharma, LLC
$24
IBSA Pharma Inc.
$24
Egalet US Inc
$24
Abbott Laboratories
$23
Averitas Pharma Inc.
$22
SI-BONE, INC.
$21
VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED
$19
Antares Pharma, Inc.
$19
Pacira Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
$17
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$16
SI-BONE, Inc.
$15
Boston Scientific Corporation
$14
Axonics, Inc.
$13
Foundation Fusion Solutions, LLC
$5
Top 3 companies account for 45.0% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
AJOVY · AUSTEDO · Aimovig · Algovita · Axonics · BELBUCA · BUNAVAIL · BUNAVAIL 2.1 mg 30-count box · Belbuca · COLOGUARD DNA CAPTURE REAGENTS · EMBEDA · FLECTOR · FREESTYLE LIBRE 2 · GIVLAARI · Gralise · INFINION · INTELLIS · INTELLIS ADAPTIVESTIM · Iovera · Kloxxado · LICART · LORZONE · LUCEMYRA · LYRICA · LYVISPAH · Lucemyra/Lofexidine · METHYLPHENIDATE 72 · MOVANTIK · Morphabond ER · Motegrity · Movantik · NALOCET · NOCDURNA · Nucynta · OXYCONTIN · PRIALT · Prometra II · QULIPTA · QUTENZA · RELISTOR · RELISTOR ORAL · RESTORE · REYVOW · ReActiv8 · SEGLENTIS · SPRIX · SYMPROIC · Seglentis · Senza Spinal Cord Stimulation System · Stimrouter Implantable Kit · Symproic · TLANDO · UBRELVY · VANTA ADAPTIVESTIM · XIFAXANIBSD · XTAMPZA · XTAMPZAER · Xtampza ER · ZOHYDRO ER · ZTLido · ZTLido 30 POUCH in 1 CARTON 1 PATCH in 1 POUCH · Zipsor · iFuse Implant
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
Pain medicine physicians within 10 mi
10
Per 100K population
2.7
County median income
$77,493
Nearest hospital
LEHIGH VALLEY 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. Ko is a clinical cardiology specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 20% in PA), with low-engagement industry engagement in the top 14% of PA peers, 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. Ko experienced with office visit, established patient (20-29 min)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Ko performed 864 office visit, established patient (20-29 min) 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. Ko receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Ko received a total of $10,421 from 48 companies across 738 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. Ko's costs compare to other pain medicine physicians in Allentown?
Dr. Ko's average Medicare payment per service is $86. 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. Ko) 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 →
Explore related providers
Same specialty & city
Pain Medicine Physicians in Allentown
Browse pain medicine physicians in Allentown ranked by procedure volume and transparency data.
Highest volume
Top Pain Medicine Physicians in PA
Pain medicine physicians ranked by total Medicare services performed statewide.
Industry payments
Pharma Payments to Pain Medicine Physicians in PA
Which PA pain medicine physicians receive the most from drug and device companies.
By company
Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc. Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc.
By company
Salix Pharmaceuticals, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from Salix Pharmaceuticals, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC.
By company
Daiichi Sankyo Inc. Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from Daiichi Sankyo Inc.
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.
Provider corrections: Provider portal · Privacy questions: Privacy Policy · Terms: Terms of Use · Methodology: Methodology