Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Chau Vu, D.O.
Dermatology · Friendswood, 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. Vu 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. Vu?
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What this data tells you about Dr. Vu
Dr. Chau Vu is a dermatology specialist in Friendswood, TX, with 19 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Vu performed 2,674 Medicare services across 1,635 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Vu received a total of $12,268 from 42 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 585 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in dermatology. 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. Vu 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 44% volume in TX
$12,268 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗2,674
Medicare services
Top 44% in TX for dermatology
1,635
Unique beneficiaries
$61
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · Not a quality rating · How to read this →
~141 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Destruction of precancerous skin growths, 2-14 This procedure involves the removal or destruction of two to fourteen precancerous skin lesions. It is performed to eliminate abnormal skin cells that have the potential to develop into cancer. |
855 | $5 | $14 |
| 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. |
454 | $65 | $182 |
| Destruction of precancerous skin growth, 1 Removal of a single precancerous skin growth. This procedure destroys abnormal skin cells to prevent them from developing into cancer. |
285 | $41 | $137 |
| 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. |
272 | $90 | $257 |
| 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. |
162 | $74 | $224 |
| Destruction of skin growths (warts/lesions), 1-14 This procedure involves the removal or destruction of one to fourteen skin growths. It is a minor surgical intervention performed on the skin surface. |
157 | $84 | $232 |
| Skin biopsy, tangential A procedure to remove a sample of the first identified skin growth for laboratory examination. |
140 | $69 | $207 |
| Destruction of 15 or more precancerous skin growths This procedure involves the removal or destruction of fifteen or more precancerous skin lesions. It is performed to treat abnormal skin cells that have the potential to develop into cancer. |
41 | $131 | $341 |
| Skin growth removal and lab exam, 1-5 blocks This procedure involves the removal of a growth from the head, neck, hands, feet, or genitals. The removed tissue is then examined under a microscope in the laboratory. |
41 | $451 | $1,374 |
| 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. |
39 | $124 | $334 |
| Additional skin growth biopsy Removal of a sample of an additional skin growth for laboratory examination. This code is used for each extra lesion biopsied during the same session. |
29 | $40 | $102 |
| Acne surgery A surgical procedure to treat acne. The specific techniques and extent of the surgery are not defined in this general code description. |
26 | $89 | $236 |
| Steroid injection (triamcinolone) A 10 mg injection of triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid medication. This code specifies the drug and dosage administered. |
23 | $1 | $17 |
| Simple drainage of skin abscess A minor procedure to drain a localized collection of pus from the skin. The abscess is opened to allow the fluid to escape and promote healing. |
22 | $92 | $254 |
| Complicated wound repair, 2.6-7.5 cm A complex surgical procedure to close a wound measuring between 2.6 and 7.5 centimeters on areas such as the face, neck, hands, or feet. |
22 | $197 | $956 |
| Surgical removal of skin cancer, 1.1-2.0 cm Surgical excision of a cancerous skin growth measuring between 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters on the body, arms, or legs. |
17 | $98 | $496 |
| Intermediate wound repair, 2.6-7.5 cm A medical procedure to close a wound on the scalp, underarms, trunk, arms, or legs that measures between 2.6 and 7.5 centimeters. This type of repair involves cleaning the wound and stitching it closed to promote healing. |
17 | $243 | $616 |
| Complicated wound repair, scalp/arms/legs, 2.6-7.5 cm A complex surgical procedure to close a wound on the scalp, arms, or legs that measures between 2.6 and 7.5 centimeters in length. |
16 | $294 | $864 |
| Destruction of cancer skin growth of scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals, 1.1-2.0 cm | 15 | $141 | $383 |
| Destruction of cancer skin growth, 1.1-2.0 cm Removal of a cancerous skin growth on the trunk, arms, or legs that measures between 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters. |
14 | $138 | $362 |
| Removal and microscopic exam of growth of head, neck, hands, feet, or genitals, each additional stage, 1-5 tissue blocks | 14 | $330 | $836 |
| Punch biopsy of first skin growth A small, circular piece of skin is removed from a skin growth using a circular blade. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for examination. |
13 | $85 | $254 |
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.
1.0% high complexity
7.7% medium
91.4% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$12,268
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $1,753/year across 7 years
Top 21% in TX for dermatology
42
Companies
585
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
$11,180 (91.1%)
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$1,088 (8.9%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$1,900
2023
$2,055
2022
$1,510
2021
$1,503
2020
$1,412
2019
$1,762
2018
$2,124
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Encore Dermatology Inc.
$933
GENZYME CORPORATION
$931
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$879
Ortho Dermatologics, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC
$849
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$811
PFIZER INC.
$749
LEO Pharma Inc.
$737
Amgen Inc.
$672
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
$602
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc.
$576
Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
$569
Mayne Pharma Inc.
$497
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$432
Celgene Corporation
$398
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$389
Incyte Corporation
$251
MAYNE PHARMA INC.
$249
Abbott Laboratories
$244
Almirall LLC
$229
VYNE Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$164
AbbVie, Inc.
$152
AbbVie Inc.
$121
SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INC.
$115
ABBVIE INC.
$99
Journey Medical Corporation
$73
Lilly USA, LLC
$70
Dermavant Sciences, Inc.
$66
DERMIRA, INC.
$62
Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$49
Smith+Nephew, Inc.
$41
EPI Health, LLC
$41
Promius Pharma LLC
$38
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$32
UCB, Inc.
$29
Biofrontera Inc.
$19
Allergan Inc.
$17
Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC
$16
Mission Pharmacal Company
$15
Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc.
$14
SCILEX PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
$14
Novum Pharma, LLC
$13
MAYNE PHARMA COMMERCIAL LLC
$11
Top 3 companies account for 22.4% of total payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
ABSORICA · ABSORICA (isotretinoin) · ABSORICA LD · ADBRY · AKLIEF · ALTRENO · AMZEEQ · ARAZLO · Absorica LD · Alcortin A · Ameluz · Amnesteem · Avar · BOTOX COSMETIC · BRYHALI · CLODERM · COSENTYX · Cabtreo · Ceracade · Cimzia · Cloderm Cream · Cordran · DORYX · DUOBRII · DUPIXENT · ENSTILAR · EPIDUO FORTE · EPSOLAY · EUCRISA · Enbrel · Exelderm · FINACEA · GRAFIX PL · Humira · ILUMYA · ILUMYA (tildrakizumab-asmn) injection · Impoyz · JUBLIA · Klisyri · ONEXTON · OPZELURA · ORACEA · Olux · Otezla · PROCLAIM · QBREXZA · REMICADE · RHOFADE · RINVOQ · SILIQ · SKYRIZI · SOOLANTRA · SPEVIGO · Sernivo Spray · Seysara · Sotyktu · TALTZ · TREMFYA · TWYNEO · VTAMA · Veltin · Winlevi · ZTLido · Zoryve
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 (91%) are for meals and travel — low-value interactions that are common across virtually all practicing physicians.
Equivalent to $459 per 100 Medicare services performed
Geographic Context
Dermatologists within 10 mi
163
Per 100K population
46.0
County median income
$85,348
Nearest hospital
HCA HOUSTON HEALTHCARE CLEAR LAKE
4.0 mi
4.0 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. Vu is a clinical cardiology specialist, with moderate Medicare volume, with low-engagement industry engagement, 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. Vu experienced with destruction of precancerous skin growths, 2-14?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Vu performed 855 destruction of precancerous skin growths, 2-14 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. Vu receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Vu received a total of $12,268 from 42 companies across 585 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. Vu's costs compare to other dermatologists in Friendswood?
Dr. Vu's average Medicare payment per service is $61. 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. Vu) 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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