Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Alex Lechin, M.D., F.C.C.P.
Pulmonary Disease · Houston, TX
Practice pattern: Mixed Practice
— Diverse clinical practice across multiple procedure types
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. Lechin 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. Lechin
Dr. Alex Lechin is a pulmonary disease specialist in Houston, TX, with 19 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Lechin performed 5,843 Medicare services across 1,765 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Lechin received a total of $10,613 from 46 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 566 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in pulmonary disease. 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. Lechin 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
$10,613 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗5,843
Medicare services
Top 3% in TX for pulmonary disease
1,765
Unique beneficiaries
$43
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · Not a quality rating · How to read this →
~308 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allergy skin test A diagnostic test performed to identify specific allergies by applying or introducing allergenic extracts to the body. The procedure measures the patient's immune response to various potential allergens. |
2,960 | $3 | $11 |
| Remote physiological data monitoring, 30 days Collection and interpretation of physical parameters transmitted by the patient or caregiver over a 30-day period, requiring at least 30 minutes of professional time. |
454 | $40 | $80 |
| 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. |
238 | $100 | $190 |
| 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. |
220 | $28 | $120 |
| Spirometry test before and after medication A test that measures the amount of air you can exhale and the speed of your breathing before and after taking a medication. |
174 | $32 | $140 |
| Exercise stress test A test that monitors the heart and lungs while the patient exercises to evaluate their function under physical stress. |
153 | $125 | $279 |
| Awake and drowsy EEG A test that records electrical activity in the brain while the patient is awake and drowsy. |
117 | $312 | $988 |
| Electrocardiogram, 1-3 leads with physician review A heart rhythm test using one to three electrodes to record electrical activity, with interpretation by a physician. |
108 | $11 | $32 |
| Ultrasound of arm and leg arteries A non-invasive imaging test that uses sound waves to examine the blood vessels in the arms and legs. It evaluates blood flow and checks for blockages or other vascular issues. |
95 | $102 | $668 |
| Autonomic nervous system function test This test evaluates how well the sympathetic nervous system is functioning. It assesses the automatic control of bodily processes such as heart rate and blood pressure. |
93 | $101 | $203 |
| Autonomic nervous system testing with tilt This test evaluates the function of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. It involves monitoring the patient for at least five minutes while they are tilted. |
93 | $123 | $300 |
| Bronchoscopy A diagnostic exam of the lung airways using an endoscope to visually inspect the inside of the lungs and airways. |
89 | $201 | $600 |
| Flexible laryngoscopy A diagnostic exam of the voice box using a flexible endoscope to visualize the larynx. |
87 | $107 | $194 |
| Drug injection, under skin or into muscle A procedure involving the administration of a medication or substance via injection into the subcutaneous tissue or muscle. |
77 | $12 | $58 |
| Auditory brainstem response test A test that measures how the brain responds to sound to help diagnose nervous system disorders. The results are interpreted and reported by a medical professional. |
69 | $69 | $222 |
| Digital analysis of brain wave activity (EEG) This procedure involves the digital analysis of brain wave activity recorded via an electroencephalogram (EEG). It focuses on the technical interpretation of the digital data rather than the initial recording or supervision. |
68 | $226 | $656 |
| Neuropsychological test evaluation, first hour A professional assessment of cognitive and behavioral functioning using standardized tests. This service covers the initial hour of the evaluation process. |
68 | $106 | $337 |
| Psychological test administration, first 30 minutes A technician administers psychological or neuropsychological testing for the first 30 minutes. |
68 | $28 | $95 |
| Visual evoked potential test A test that measures how quickly electrical signals travel from the eye to the brain in response to visual stimuli. |
65 | $54 | $175 |
| Psychological test administration, each additional 30 minutes A technician administers psychological or neuropsychological testing. This code covers each additional 30-minute increment of administration time. |
65 | $29 | $95 |
| Methylprednisolone acetate injection, 80 mg An injection of 80 mg of methylprednisolone acetate, a corticosteroid medication. |
62 | $9 | $40 |
| Expiratory airflow and volume test A test that measures the amount of air you can exhale and the speed at which you can breathe it out. It evaluates lung function by assessing expiratory airflow and volume. |
61 | $21 | $100 |
| 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. |
60 | $117 | $217 |
| Nasal endoscopy A diagnostic procedure that uses a thin, lighted tube to examine the inside of the nasal passages. |
57 | $155 | $307 |
| Inhalation treatment for airway obstruction or sputum production A treatment involving the inhalation of medication to help clear airway obstructions or reduce sputum production. |
43 | $7 | $60 |
| Airway clearance therapy using inflatable vest A therapy procedure that uses an inflatable vest to help clear the airway. |
30 | $16 | $45 |
| New patient office visit, complex (60-74 min) | 30 | $148 | $350 |
| Breathing device use evaluation An assessment of how a patient uses a breathing device. The provider reviews the patient's technique and device handling. |
27 | $14 | $28 |
| 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. |
27 | $71 | $150 |
| Annual alcohol misuse screening, 5 to 15 minutes | 24 | $0 | $0 |
| Exercise-induced lung stress test A test performed to evaluate how the lungs function during physical exertion. It helps identify breathing difficulties or lung conditions that occur specifically when exercising. |
18 | $28 | $159 |
| Formoterol fumarate inhalation solution, 20 mcg This code describes the administration of a 20 microgram unit dose of FDA-approved, non-compounded formoterol fumarate inhalation solution via durable medical equipment. |
17 | $5 | $20 |
| Sleep study with continuous airway pressure, age 6+ A sleep study conducted in a sleep lab that monitors breathing and other body functions while administering continuous airway pressure. This test is performed on patients aged 6 years or older. |
15 | $522 | $4,800 |
| Sleep study in sleep lab (age 6+) An overnight test conducted in a sleep laboratory to monitor sleep patterns and bodily functions in patients aged 6 years or older. |
11 | $458 | $4,800 |
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 ↗$10,613
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $1,516/year across 7 years
Top 19% in TX for pulmonary disease
46
Companies
566
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
$10,601 (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
$1,350
2023
$1,418
2022
$1,407
2021
$1,456
2020
$1,214
2019
$1,789
2018
$1,978
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$2,311
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$1,204
Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc.
$859
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$846
Insmed, Inc.
$628
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$577
Mylan Specialty L.P.
$461
Philips Electronics North America Corporation
$449
Mallinckrodt Hospital Products Inc.
$429
United Therapeutics Corporation
$325
Grifols USA, LLC
$197
Electromed, Inc.
$189
Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$179
Genentech USA, Inc.
$173
HARMONY BIOSCIENCES LLC
$154
Harmony Biosciences LLC
$148
Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$137
GENZYME CORPORATION
$132
JAZZ PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
$129
Azurity Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$94
Mallinckrodt LLC
$83
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
$81
Philips North America LLC
$75
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
$69
Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.
$67
Circassia Pharmaceuticals Inc
$61
OptiNose US, Inc.
$49
Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.
$40
Lilly USA, LLC
$40
Mayne Pharma Inc.
$39
Nalpropion Pharmaceuticals LLC
$35
Currax Pharmaceuticals LLC
$32
INOGEN, INC.
$29
Eisai Inc.
$29
Itamar Medical Inc
$28
Tactile Systems Technology Inc
$28
Amgen Inc.
$28
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$27
Mallinckrodt Enterprises LLC
$27
ARBOR PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
$24
Sandoz Inc.
$24
Shire North American Group Inc
$22
Nalpropion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$15
ABBVIE INC.
$14
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
$14
Allergan Inc.
$12
Top 3 companies account for 41.2% of total payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
(8874) inCourage · (AK6) Vest Therapy · ACTHAR · AIRSUPRA · ANORO · AREXVY · AVYCAZ · AirDuo Digihaler · Arikayce · BELSOMRA · BEVESPI AEROSPHERE · BREO · BREO ELLIPTA · BREZTRI · BREZTRI AEROSPHERE · Belviq · CONTRAVE · CUVITRU · DORYX · DUAKLIR PRESSAIR · DUPIXENT · DUPIXENT DUPILUMAB INJECTION · Dayvigo · Esbriet · FARXIGA · FASENRA · Flexitouch Plus · HORIZANT · HYQVIA · Horizant · IMFINZI · INOGEN ONE G5 OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR - BLUETOOTH · INSPIRE · LONHALA MAGNAIR · MOUNJARO · NIOX VERO · NUCALA · OFEV · OPSUMIT · OPSUMIT MACITENTAN · ORENITRAM · Perforomist · Prolastin-C · Prolastin-C Liquid · Respiratoriy Care Undiv · SMARTVEST · SPIRIVA RESPIMAT · STIOLTO RESPIMAT · SUNOSI · SYMBICORT · TEFLARO · TEZSPIRE · TRELEGY ELLIPTA · TREPROSTINIL · TUDORZA PRESSAIR · TYVASO · Trilogy 100 · UPTRAVI · UTIBRON · Utibron · WAKIX · WINREVAIR · Wakix · WatchPAT · Wellcentive Undiv · XYREM · Xhance · Xolair · Xyrem · YUPELRI · Yupelri · inCourage
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.
Equivalent to $182 per 100 Medicare services performed
Geographic Context
Pulmonary diseases within 10 mi
111
Per 100K population
2.3
County median income
$73,104
Nearest hospital
HCA HOUSTON HEALTHCARE SOUTHEAST
2.3 mi
2.3 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. Lechin is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 3% in TX), with low-engagement industry engagement in the top 19% 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. Lechin experienced with allergy skin test?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Lechin performed 2,960 allergy skin test 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. Lechin receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Lechin received a total of $10,613 from 46 companies across 566 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. Lechin's costs compare to other pulmonary diseases in Houston?
Dr. Lechin's average Medicare payment per service is $43. 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. Lechin) 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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