Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Blake Sutton, MD
Anesthesiology · Abilene, TX
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. Sutton 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. Sutton
Dr. Blake Sutton is an anesthesiology specialist in Abilene, TX, with 13 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Sutton performed 6,822 Medicare services across 2,651 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Sutton received a total of $16,373 from 17 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 627 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in anesthesiology. 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. Sutton is Very High — reflecting how much public federal data is available about this provider. This is not a quality rating. Patients are encouraged to use this data as one of several factors when choosing a healthcare provider.
✓ 13 years in practice
▲ Top 1% volume in TX
$16,373 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗6,822
Medicare services
Top 1% in TX for anesthesiology
2,651
Unique beneficiaries
$66
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · Not a quality rating · How to read this →
~525 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 (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. |
1,762 | $92 | $316 |
| Joint lubricant injection (TriVisc) An injection of hyaluronan or a derivative into a joint space. The dose specified is 1 milligram. |
1,733 | $7 | $26 |
| Dexamethasone injection (steroid) An injection of dexamethasone sodium phosphate, a corticosteroid medication, administered in a dose of 1 milligram. |
590 | $0 | $5 |
| Drug screening test A laboratory test that uses a chemistry analyzer to detect the presence of drugs in a sample. |
479 | $60 | $350 |
| 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. |
416 | $195 | $497 |
| 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. |
160 | $69 | $430 |
| 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. |
153 | $39 | $213 |
| 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. |
131 | $65 | $223 |
| Ultrasound-guided large joint aspiration or injection This procedure uses ultrasound imaging to guide the removal of fluid from or the injection of medication into a large joint. |
117 | $74 | $226 |
| 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. |
94 | $146 | $989 |
| Facet joint nerve destruction, additional joint This procedure uses imaging guidance to destroy nerves in an additional lower or sacral spinal facet joint. |
94 | $45 | $413 |
| 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. |
87 | $115 | $408 |
| Spinal neurostimulator electrode insertion A procedure to place an electrode array into the spine through the skin. The electrode is used to deliver electrical stimulation to the nervous system. |
81 | $233 | $5,358 |
| 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. |
73 | $80 | $461 |
| 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. |
73 | $44 | $283 |
| Additional sedation, per 15 minutes Administration of a drug to deepen sedation during a procedure. This code covers each additional 15-minute increment of sedation beyond the initial period. |
73 | $8 | $100 |
| 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. |
72 | $83 | $584 |
| 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. |
72 | $153 | $391 |
| Drug test with direct observation A drug screening test performed under direct observation to ensure the sample is provided correctly. This method is used to verify the integrity of the specimen collection process. |
64 | $12 | $50 |
| 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. |
62 | $63 | $387 |
| 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. |
62 | $9 | $121 |
| Heat destruction of intraosseous basivertebral nerve in bones of spine in lower back, first two bones | 42 | $345 | $1,097 |
| Facet joint nerve destruction, additional joint This procedure uses imaging guidance to destroy nerves in an additional upper or middle spinal facet joint. |
42 | $50 | $453 |
| Peripheral nerve neurostimulator electrode insertion A procedure to place an electrode through the skin into a peripheral nerve. This electrode is part of a neurostimulator system used to deliver electrical impulses. |
41 | $194 | $5,234 |
| 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. |
40 | $144 | $1,000 |
| Spinal injection with imaging guidance A procedure where medication is injected into the middle or upper part of the spinal canal. Imaging technology is used to guide the needle to the correct location. |
29 | $79 | $635 |
| Spinal neurostimulator generator insertion Surgical placement of a spinal neurostimulator generator or receiver device. |
28 | $174 | $819 |
| 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. |
28 | $39 | $261 |
| Ultrasound guidance for needle placement Use of ultrasound imaging to guide the precise placement of a needle during a medical procedure. |
26 | $42 | $133 |
| Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement Use of real-time X-ray imaging to guide the precise placement of a needle during a medical procedure. |
26 | $25 | $271 |
| Destruction of peripheral nerve or branch | 22 | $149 | $598 |
| Pelvic joint fusion with imaging guidance A surgical procedure to join bones in the pelvic joint together. Imaging technology is used to guide the surgeon during the operation. |
15 | $619 | $1,920 |
| Joint injection, major joint Removal of fluid from a large joint and/or injection of medication into the joint space. |
12 | $34 | $145 |
| Intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation, lower back A procedure that uses heat to destroy the basivertebral nerve located within the bone of the lower spine. This is performed on additional vertebral levels beyond the initial treatment site. |
12 | $160 | $512 |
| Insertion of peripheral or gastric neurostimulator generator A surgical procedure to implant the pulse generator device for a neurostimulator system. The generator is placed under the skin to deliver electrical impulses to nerves or the stomach. |
11 | $67 | $640 |
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.
0.4% high complexity
45.9% medium
53.8% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$16,373
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $2,339/year across 7 years
Top 3% in TX for anesthesiology
17
Companies
627
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
$16,373 (100.0%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$2,366
2023
$2,204
2022
$3,937
2021
$3,298
2020
$2,162
2019
$1,558
2018
$848
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Abbott Laboratories
$13,254
Relievant Medsystems, Inc.
$1,747
Vertos Medical, Inc.
$316
Boston Scientific Corporation
$256
BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION
$140
Spinal Simplicity, LLC
$137
PAINTEQ LLC
$113
Nalu Medical, Inc.
$109
Vertiflex, Inc.
$86
SPR Therapeutics, Inc
$53
Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc.
$40
MML US, Inc.
$30
Medtronic USA, Inc.
$26
Medtronic, Inc.
$23
ARBOR PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
$17
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.
$15
PFIZER INC.
$12
Top 3 companies account for 93.6% of total payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
AXIUM · CHANTIX · DRG Accessories · DRG leads · ETERNA · GENERAL - THERAPIES · GENERAL PAIN MANAGEMENT · GPS III PLATELET CONCENTRATION SYSTEM · HA MINUTEMAN G3-R · Horizant · INTELLIS · Intracept · NT1100 NT2000iX Simplicity · Nalu Neurostimulation System · OCTRODE · Octrode SCS Leads · PAINTEQ · PROCLAIM · Proclaim DRG IPG · Proclaim Family of SCS IPGs · Proclaim IPG · Prodigy Family of SCS IPGs · ReActiv8 · SCS IPGs · SPRINT PNS System · SUPERION · SYNCHROMED · SYNCHROMEDII · Superion · Superion ISS · XTAMPZA · mild Device Kit
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. Total industry engagement is in the top 3% for anesthesiology in TX.
Equivalent to $240 per 100 Medicare services performed
Geographic Context
Anesthesiologists within 10 mi
26
Per 100K population
18.0
County median income
$66,406
Nearest hospital
OCEANS BEHAVIORAL HOSPITAL OF ABILENE
8.9 mi
8.9 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 measures how much public data is available about a provider — not how good they are. How we calculate this →
Summary
Dr. Sutton is a clinical cardiology specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 1% in TX), with low-engagement industry engagement in the top 3% of TX peers.
This summary is auto-generated from federal data. It describes data availability and patterns — not clinical quality. Read our methodology →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dr. Sutton experienced with office visit, established patient (30-39 min)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Sutton performed 1,762 office visit, established patient (30-39 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. Sutton receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Sutton received a total of $16,373 from 17 companies across 627 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. Sutton's costs compare to other anesthesiologists in Abilene?
Dr. Sutton's average Medicare payment per service is $66. 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. Sutton) 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. The Transparency Score measures 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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