Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Iftikhar Chowdhry, M.D.
Rheumatology · Dallas, TX
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. Chowdhry 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. Chowdhry?
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What this data tells you about Dr. Chowdhry
Dr. Iftikhar Chowdhry is a rheumatology specialist in Dallas, TX, with 19 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Chowdhry performed 25,894 Medicare services across 7,448 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Chowdhry received a total of $231,074 from 65 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 2012 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in rheumatology. 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. Chowdhry 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 30% volume in TX
$231,074 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗25,894
Medicare services
Top 30% in TX for rheumatology
7,448
Unique beneficiaries
$22
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · Not a quality rating · How to read this →
~1,363 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denosumab injection (Prolia/Xgeva) | 12,000 | $18 | $23 |
| Joint lubricant injection (Synvisc) | 2,593 | $7 | $10 |
| 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. |
1,153 | $88 | $130 |
| Comprehensive metabolic blood panel A blood test that measures a group of chemicals, including glucose, electrolytes, and kidney and liver function markers. |
748 | $10 | $12 |
| Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test A blood test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a test tube to detect inflammation in the body. This specific method is performed manually rather than using an automated machine. |
732 | $4 | $5 |
| C-reactive protein test (inflammation marker) A blood test that measures the level of C-reactive protein to detect the presence of infection or inflammation in the body. |
545 | $5 | $6 |
| Office visit, established patient, complex (40-54 min) An office or outpatient visit for an existing patient lasting between 40 and 54 minutes. This level of service is determined by the total time spent on the date of the encounter. |
473 | $136 | $182 |
| Vitamin D level test A blood test to measure the amount of Vitamin D-3 in your body. |
433 | $29 | $30 |
| Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test A blood test that measures the level of thyroid stimulating hormone to evaluate thyroid function. |
433 | $16 | $18 |
| Ferritin level test (iron stores) A blood test that measures the level of ferritin, a protein that stores iron in the body. |
424 | $13 | $14 |
| Complete blood count (CBC), automated An automated laboratory test that measures the levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood. |
389 | $6 | $7 |
| 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. |
355 | $6 | $7 |
| 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. |
340 | $8 | $9 |
| Non-hormonal chemotherapy injection This procedure involves administering non-hormonal anti-neoplastic chemotherapy medication via injection into the skin or muscle tissue. |
334 | $58 | $75 |
| Blood draw (venipuncture) Insertion of a needle into a vein to collect a blood sample. |
324 | $3 | $3 |
| Automated urinalysis An automated laboratory test performed on a urine sample to analyze its chemical and physical properties. The procedure uses machinery to detect various substances and cells within the urine. |
321 | $2 | $3 |
| 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. |
320 | $8 | $9 |
| Folic acid level test A blood test that measures the amount of folic acid in the serum. |
317 | $14 | $15 |
| Vitamin B-12 level test A blood test that measures the amount of vitamin B-12 in your body. |
315 | $15 | $15 |
| Iron level test | 313 | $6 | $7 |
| Immunoglobulin level test A blood test that measures the level of gammaglobulins, which are immune system proteins. |
199 | $9 | $11 |
| X-ray of hand, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the hand using two different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
190 | $24 | $33 |
| Methylprednisolone acetate injection, 80 mg An injection of 80 mg of methylprednisolone acetate, a corticosteroid medication. |
190 | $8 | $12 |
| Bone density scan (DEXA) A test that uses low-dose X-rays to measure bone mineral density in the hip, pelvis, and spine. It helps assess bone strength and risk of fractures. |
179 | $38 | $43 |
| 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. |
137 | $49 | $92 |
| Joint injection, major joint Removal of fluid from a large joint and/or injection of medication into the joint space. |
126 | $48 | $66 |
| Trabecular bone score calculation This procedure calculates the trabecular bone score using imaging data to assess bone microarchitecture. It includes interpretation and a report on fracture risk. |
126 | $32 | $42 |
| 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. |
113 | $4 | $5 |
| Urinalysis with microscopic exam A urine test performed manually that includes examining the sample under a microscope to check for abnormalities. |
109 | $3 | $4 |
| Steroid injection (triamcinolone) A 10 mg injection of triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid medication. This code specifies the drug and dosage administered. |
109 | $1 | $1 |
| Intravenous chemotherapy infusion, 1 hour or less Administration of chemotherapy medication directly into a vein. The procedure takes one hour or less to complete. |
98 | $104 | $139 |
| 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. |
94 | $27 | $37 |
| Thyroxine (T4) level test A blood test that measures the total amount of thyroxine, a thyroid hormone, in your body. |
93 | $7 | $8 |
| Thyroid hormone evaluation A blood test to measure the levels of thyroid hormones in the body. This evaluation helps assess how well the thyroid gland is functioning. |
93 | $6 | $8 |
| X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views An X-ray imaging test that captures 2 to 3 views of the lower back and sacral spine to visualize the bones and joints in this area. |
91 | $30 | $42 |
| X-ray of foot, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the foot using two different angles to create pictures of the bones and joints. |
87 | $21 | $29 |
| Intravenous infusion, 1 hour or less Administration of medication or fluid directly into a vein for therapeutic, preventive, or diagnostic purposes. The procedure lasts one hour or less. |
86 | $51 | $69 |
| Additional hour of intravenous chemotherapy This code represents the administration of chemotherapy medication into a vein for each additional hour beyond the initial period. |
83 | $23 | $29 |
| Shoulder X-ray, 2+ views An X-ray imaging test of the shoulder joint using at least two different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
82 | $27 | $37 |
| X-ray of ankle, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the ankle using two different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
71 | $26 | $33 |
| Flu vaccine administration This procedure involves the administration of the influenza virus vaccine. It covers the process of delivering the vaccine to the patient. |
70 | $16 | $18 |
| X-ray of middle spine, 2 views An X-ray imaging test that produces two views of the middle section of the spine to visualize the bones and joints. |
67 | $25 | $35 |
| X-ray of sacroiliac joint, 1-2 views An X-ray imaging test of the joint connecting the lower spine to the hip bone, using one to two images. |
64 | $26 | $35 |
| 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. |
58 | $67 | $70 |
| Intravenous injection of additional new drug or substance Administration of an additional new medication or substance directly into a vein. |
56 | $12 | $17 |
| Methylprednisolone injection, up to 40 mg An injection of methylprednisolone sodium succinate, a corticosteroid medication, administered in a dose of up to 40 mg. |
55 | $3 | $5 |
| Tendon or ligament injection A procedure involving the injection of medication into a tendon or ligament. |
45 | $41 | $63 |
| New patient office visit, complex (60-74 min) | 43 | $161 | $222 |
| Complement and antigen measurement A laboratory test to measure levels of complement proteins and antigens in the blood. |
41 | $11 | $14 |
| Complement function test A blood test that measures the activity of complement proteins, which are part of the immune system. |
40 | $11 | $14 |
| X-ray of upper spine, 2-3 views An X-ray imaging test of the upper spine using two to three different angles to visualize the bones and structures. |
36 | $29 | $42 |
| Lipid panel (cholesterol and triglycerides) A blood test that measures cholesterol and triglyceride levels. |
36 | $12 | $29 |
| X-ray of both hips, 2 views An X-ray imaging test that captures two views of both hip joints to evaluate bone structure and alignment. |
28 | $30 | $44 |
| Pelvis X-ray, 1-2 views An X-ray imaging test of the pelvic area using one to two different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
14 | $23 | $34 |
| Quadrivalent influenza vaccine, cell-culture derived A flu shot containing four strains of influenza virus, produced using cell culture technology rather than eggs. This formulation is free from preservatives and antibiotics. |
12 | $29 | $33 |
| 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. |
11 | $25 | $32 |
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.
0.7% high complexity
60.2% medium
39.1% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$231,074
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $33,011/year across 7 years
Top 4% in TX for rheumatology
65
Companies
2,012
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
$202,635 (87.7%)
Meals & Travel
Food, beverages, travel, and lodging — typically low-value
$17,649 (7.6%)
Consulting
Expert advisory fees, typically reflecting recognized clinical expertise
$10,790 (4.7%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$24,179
2023
$32,666
2022
$45,080
2021
$18,969
2020
$13,666
2019
$60,952
2018
$35,562
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
AbbVie, Inc.
$57,295
Amgen Inc.
$32,084
ABBVIE INC.
$31,840
AbbVie Inc.
$28,629
Celgene Corporation
$27,913
Horizon Therapeutics plc
$26,493
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$5,879
UCB, Inc.
$5,263
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$2,580
PFIZER INC.
$2,457
Lilly USA, LLC
$1,064
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$1,062
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$856
Aurinia Pharma U.S., Inc.
$783
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$732
Mallinckrodt Hospital Products Inc.
$574
ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$430
VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED
$413
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$413
GENZYME CORPORATION
$410
Radius Health, Inc.
$353
Genentech USA, Inc.
$344
ZOLL Medical Corporation
$340
Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC
$322
Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
$296
SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC
$203
Pacira Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
$195
Mallinckrodt LLC
$171
Coloplast Corp
$163
Organon LLC
$132
Mallinckrodt Enterprises LLC
$132
Cardinal Health 110 LLC
$100
Antares Pharma, Inc.
$96
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$87
Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$81
SCILEX PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
$59
Bioventus LLC
$57
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$55
Organon Llc
$48
DePuy Synthes Sales Inc.
$48
Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA
$47
Pacira Therapeutics, Inc.
$39
MEDAC PHARMA, INC.
$38
TerSera Therapeutics LLC
$38
MEDEXUS PHARMA, INC.
$37
Horizon Pharma plc
$35
GRT US Holding, Inc.
$34
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.
$31
Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International, plc
$29
Celltrion USA Inc.
$28
Exeltis, USA Inc.
$28
Octapharma USA, Inc.
$25
Sobi, Inc
$23
HOSPIRA, INC.
$21
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
$20
Novo Nordisk Inc
$20
Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.
$20
Eisai Inc.
$18
Athena Bioscience, LLC
$16
Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.
$15
IDORSIA PHARMACEUTICALS US INC
$14
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc
$13
BIODELIVERY SCIENCES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
$12
Alvogen Inc
$12
Mission Pharmacal Company
$11
Top 3 companies account for 52.5% of total payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
ACTHAR · AIMOVIG · AMJEVITA · AVSOLA · Actemra · Aquoral · Arcalyst · BELBUCA · BENLYSTA · Bimzelx · COSENTYX · Cimzia · Crysvita · Dayvigo · Durolane · EUFLEXXA · EVENITY · Enbrel · Exparel · HADLIMA · HUMIRA · Humira · IDACIO · INFLECTRA · KEVZARA · KINERET · KRYSTEXXA · LINZESS · LUPKYNIS · LYRICA · Livalo · MONOVISC · Mitigare · NUCALA · OCTAGAM IMMUNE GLOBULIN (HUMAN) · ORENCIA · ORTHOVISC · OTREXUP · Otezla · Otrexup · PAXLOVID · PENNSAID · PREVNAR - 13 · PURIFIED CORTROPHIN GEL · Prolia · QDOLO · QUVIVIQ · Qutenza · Quzyttir · RAYOS · REMICADE · RENFLEXIS · RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS DISEASE · RINVOQ · Rasuvo · Rinvoq · Rituxan · SAPHNELO · SHINGRIX · SIMPONI · SIMPONI ARIA · SKYRIZI · STELARA · STRENSIQ · SYNVISC-ONE · Saxenda · Strensiq · TALTZ · TAVNEOS · TERIPARATIDE · TREMFYA · Tavneos · Titan · Tymlos · ULTOMIRIS · Ultomiris · VPRIV · XELJANZ · YUFLYMA · ZTLido · Zilretta
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 (88%) are for speaking programs and promotional activities, which reflect participation in industry-sponsored educational or marketing events. This is common in rheumatology and does not inherently indicate bias, but patients may wish to be aware. Total industry engagement is in the top 4% for rheumatology in TX.
Equivalent to $892 per 100 Medicare services performed
Geographic Context
Rheumatologists within 10 mi
95
Per 100K population
3.6
County median income
$74,149
Nearest hospital
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
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. Chowdhry is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 30% in TX), with speaking/promotional industry engagement in the top 4% 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. Chowdhry experienced with denosumab injection (prolia/xgeva)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Chowdhry performed 12,000 denosumab injection (prolia/xgeva) 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. Chowdhry receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Chowdhry received a total of $231,074 from 65 companies across 2,012 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. Chowdhry's costs compare to other rheumatologists in Dallas?
Dr. Chowdhry's average Medicare payment per service is $22. 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. Chowdhry) 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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