Medicare Enrolled
Dr. David Brister, M.D.
Family Medicine · Amarillo, 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. Brister 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. Brister
Dr. David Brister is a family medicine specialist in Amarillo, TX, with 19 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Brister performed 5,719 Medicare services across 3,453 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Brister received a total of $10,582 from 48 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 427 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in family medicine. 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. Brister 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.
✓ 19 years in practice
▲ Top 3% volume in TX
$10,582 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗5,719
Medicare services
Top 3% in TX for family medicine
3,453
Unique beneficiaries
$27
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · Not a quality rating · How to read this →
~301 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steroid injection (triamcinolone) A 10 mg injection of triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid medication. This code specifies the drug and dosage administered. |
862 | $1 | $1 |
| 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. |
523 | $59 | $88 |
| Blood draw (venipuncture) Insertion of a needle into a vein to collect a blood sample. |
478 | $3 | $3 |
| 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. |
472 | $79 | $124 |
| Comprehensive metabolic blood panel A blood test that measures a group of chemicals, including glucose, electrolytes, and kidney and liver function markers. |
404 | $10 | $11 |
| 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. |
312 | $8 | $8 |
| Lipid panel (cholesterol and triglycerides) A blood test that measures cholesterol and triglyceride levels. |
248 | $13 | $14 |
| Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test A blood test that measures the level of thyroid stimulating hormone to evaluate thyroid function. |
201 | $16 | $17 |
| Chronic care management, first 20 min/month This service covers the first 20 minutes of clinical staff time directed by a healthcare professional each calendar month to manage chronic conditions. |
165 | $43 | $63 |
| Annual wellness visit, follow-up A follow-up annual wellness visit that includes a personalized prevention plan of service. |
157 | $123 | $126 |
| Influenza virus detection test A laboratory test that uses an immunoassay technique to detect the presence of the influenza virus through direct visual observation. |
152 | $16 | $17 |
| Hemoglobin A1c test (diabetes monitoring) A blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. |
150 | $10 | $10 |
| Manual urinalysis with microscopic examination A urine test performed manually without automated equipment. The sample is examined under a microscope to check for abnormalities. |
130 | $4 | $4 |
| Uric acid level test A blood test that measures the level of uric acid in your body. Uric acid is a waste product formed when the body breaks down purines. |
121 | $4 | $5 |
| SARS-CoV-2 immunoassay test A laboratory test using immunoassay techniques to detect the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. |
91 | $34 | $100 |
| Fecal immunochemical test (FIT), 1-3 simultaneous A screening test that uses a stool sample to detect hidden blood in the feces, helping to identify potential colorectal cancer. |
90 | $18 | $18 |
| Flu vaccine, high-dose High-dose seasonal influenza vaccine for adults aged 65 and older. Contains four times the antigen of standard-dose flu vaccines (60 mcg per strain), split-virus formulation, preservative-free, single-dose syringe. |
76 | $72 | $73 |
| Flu vaccine administration This procedure involves the administration of the influenza virus vaccine. It covers the process of delivering the vaccine to the patient. |
73 | $30 | $30 |
| Joint injection, major joint Removal of fluid from a large joint and/or injection of medication into the joint space. |
71 | $42 | $63 |
| Vitamin B-12 injection An injection of vitamin B-12 (cyanocobalamin) with a dose of up to 1000 mcg. |
71 | $1 | $2 |
| Free thyroxine (T4) test A blood test that measures the level of free thyroxine, a thyroid hormone, in the bloodstream. |
69 | $9 | $9 |
| Ceftriaxone antibiotic injection This code represents the administration of ceftriaxone sodium, an antibiotic medication. The charge is calculated for every 250 mg of the drug administered. |
66 | $0 | $2 |
| Free T3 thyroid hormone test A blood test that measures the level of free triiodothyronine (T3) hormone in your body. This helps assess how well your thyroid gland is functioning. |
64 | $17 | $17 |
| Vitamin D level test A blood test to measure the amount of Vitamin D-3 in your body. |
61 | $29 | $30 |
| Bone density scan (DEXA) of hip, pelvis, and spine This test measures bone density in the hip, pelvis, and spine to assess bone strength. It also includes an assessment for spine fractures. |
59 | $49 | $51 |
| PSA test (prostate cancer screening) A blood test that measures the level of prostate-specific antigen to screen for prostate cancer. |
56 | $19 | $19 |
| 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. |
54 | $15 | $23 |
| Urine culture, bacterial colony count A laboratory test that measures the number of bacteria growing in a urine sample to help identify infections. |
54 | $8 | $8 |
| Urine microalbumin test A laboratory test that measures the amount of a specific protein called microalbumin in a urine sample. This analysis helps assess kidney function. |
44 | $6 | $6 |
| Creatinine test (kidney function) A blood test that measures the amount of creatinine to assess kidney function or detect muscle injury. |
43 | $5 | $5 |
| Assessment of emotional or behavioral problems An evaluation to identify and understand emotional or behavioral issues. This process involves reviewing symptoms and behaviors to determine the nature of the concerns. |
43 | $2 | $21 |
| Vitamin B-12 level test A blood test that measures the amount of vitamin B-12 in your body. |
39 | $14 | $16 |
| Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) An intramuscular injection of the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. It is used to protect against diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. |
29 | $283 | $295 |
| Office visit, established patient (10-19 min) An office visit for an existing patient lasting 10 to 19 minutes. The visit involves medical evaluation and management of the patient's condition. |
27 | $36 | $55 |
| Pneumonia vaccine administration This procedure involves the injection of a vaccine to protect against pneumococcal disease. It is administered by a healthcare provider. |
27 | $29 | $30 |
| Basic metabolic blood panel A blood test that measures a group of basic chemicals, including total calcium levels. |
22 | $8 | $8 |
| Strep A rapid test A rapid test to detect Group A Streptococcus bacteria using an immunoassay method with direct visual observation. |
19 | $16 | $17 |
| Transitional care management services, moderate complexity Services provided to coordinate care during the transition from an inpatient or other facility setting back to the community. This includes follow-up and management of a health problem of at least moderate complexity. |
15 | $148 | $203 |
| Transitional care management, high complexity Coordination of care for a patient transitioning from a short-term hospital stay or other facility to home or another care setting. This service addresses a high-complexity medical problem. |
15 | $211 | $268 |
| Iron binding capacity test A blood test that measures the amount of iron in the blood and the blood's ability to bind and transport iron. |
14 | $9 | $9 |
| Vaccine administration The process of giving a vaccine to a patient. This code covers the administration service only and does not include the cost of the vaccine itself. |
14 | $14 | $20 |
| Knee X-ray, 1-2 views An X-ray imaging test of the knee joint using one to two different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
13 | $17 | $25 |
| Cardiac enzyme level (CK-MB) test A blood test that measures the total level of creatine kinase, specifically the cardiac enzyme fraction, to help evaluate heart muscle damage. |
13 | $6 | $7 |
| Electrocardiogram (EKG), 12-lead A standard heart rhythm test using at least 12 leads to record electrical activity. A healthcare provider interprets the results and provides a written report. |
12 | $9 | $14 |
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 ↗$10,582
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $1,512/year across 7 years
Top 5% in TX for family medicine
48
Companies
427
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
$10,570 (99.9%)
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$12 (0.1%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$1,325
2023
$1,665
2022
$1,012
2021
$1,076
2020
$990
2019
$1,845
2018
$2,668
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Novo Nordisk Inc
$1,543
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$1,167
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc
$997
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$909
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$739
AbbVie Inc.
$558
Astellas Pharma US Inc
$486
Amgen Inc.
$485
PFIZER INC.
$450
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.
$343
ABBVIE INC.
$328
SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC
$237
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$232
Abbott Laboratories
$187
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$186
Lilly USA, LLC
$146
Salix Pharmaceuticals, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC
$139
Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.
$130
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$125
Radius Health, Inc.
$116
Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$106
Amarin Pharma Inc.
$105
Boston Scientific Corporation
$100
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
$99
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$93
Eisai Inc.
$69
SANOFI PASTEUR INC.
$60
Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd.
$48
Esperion Therapeutics, Inc.
$37
Phathom Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$31
Daiichi Sankyo Inc.
$29
Genentech USA, Inc.
$28
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
$25
Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.
$23
Allergan, Inc.
$21
Aytu BioScience, Inc
$20
Dexcom, Inc.
$20
Inari Medical, Inc.
$19
Melinta Therapeutics, Inc.
$18
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
$17
IDORSIA PHARMACEUTICALS US INC
$17
Biogen, Inc.
$15
AbbVie, Inc.
$15
EISAI INC.
$15
Pharmacosmos Therapeutics Inc.
$13
Nalpropion Pharmaceuticals LLC
$13
IBSA Pharma Inc.
$12
Nestle HealthCare Nutrition Inc.
$11
Top 3 companies account for 35.0% of total payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
ADUHELM · ADVAIR · AIMOVIG · AIRSUPRA · AJOVY · ANORO · AREXVY · Aimovig · AirDuo Digihaler · Amitiza · Auvelity · BEXSERO · BEYFORTUS · BREO · BREZTRI · BREZTRI AEROSPHERE · BYDUREON · Baxdela · Belviq · CHANTIX · COLOGUARD · CONTRAVE · DIFICID · Dayvigo · Dexcom G6 Transmitter · ELIQUIS · ELUVIA · ENTRESTO · EUCRISA · EVENITY · FARXIGA · FASENRA · FLOWTRIEVER CATHETER · FLUBLOK QUADRIVALENT NORTHERN HEMISPHERE · FLUZONE QUADRIVALENT NORTHERN HEMISPHERE · FREESTYLE LIBRE 3 · GARDASIL · GLASSIA · INGREZZA · INJECTAFER · INVOKANA · JANUVIA · JARDIANCE · Kerendia · LEQVIO · LINZESS · LYRICA · Leqembi · Licart · MONOFERRIC · MOUNJARO · MYRBETRIQ · Myrbetriq · NEXLETOL · NEXLIZET · NURTEC ODT · Natesto · Otezla · Ozempic · PREVNAR - 13 · PREVNAR 13 · Proclaim IPG · Prodigy Family of SCS IPGs · QULIPTA · QUVIVIQ · REXULTI · RYBELSUS · Repatha · Rybelsus · S · SHINGRIX · SIVEXTRO · SOLIQUA · SOLIQUA 100/33 · SPIRIVA RESPIMAT · STEGLATRO · STIOLTO RESPIMAT · SYMBICORT · SYNTHROID · Saxenda · TOUJEO · TRADJENTA · TRELEGY ELLIPTA · TRINTELLIX · TRULICITY · Tresiba · Trintellix · Tymlos · UBRELVY · VESICARE · VOQUEZNA · VRAYLAR · VYVANSE · Vascepa · Veozah · Wegovy · XARELTO · XIFAXAN · Xofluza · Xultophy 100/3.6 · ZENPEP
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 5% for family medicine in TX.
Equivalent to $185 per 100 Medicare services performed
Geographic Context
Family medicine physicians within 10 mi
118
Per 100K population
101.2
County median income
$50,448
Nearest hospital
NORTHWEST TEXAS 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 measures how much public data is available about a provider — not how good they are. How we calculate this →
Summary
Dr. Brister is a clinical cardiology specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 3% in TX), with low-engagement industry engagement in the top 5% of TX peers, with 19 years of NPI registration.
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. Brister experienced with steroid injection (triamcinolone)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Brister performed 862 steroid injection (triamcinolone) 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. Brister receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Brister received a total of $10,582 from 48 companies across 427 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. Brister's costs compare to other family medicine physicians in Amarillo?
Dr. Brister's average Medicare payment per service is $27. 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. Brister) 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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