Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Nassim Akle, M.D.
Radiology - Diagnostic Neuroimaging · Houston, TX
Practice pattern: Mixed Practice
— Diverse clinical practice across multiple procedure types
Consulting-driven
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. Akle 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. Akle?
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What this data tells you about Dr. Akle
Dr. Nassim Akle is a radiology - diagnostic neuroimaging specialist in Houston, TX, with 16 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Akle performed 13,435 Medicare services across 2,003 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Akle received a total of $10,391 from 20 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 66 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in radiology - diagnostic neuroimaging. The majority of payments are for consulting, which typically reflects recognized clinical expertise sought by manufacturers. Patients may wish to discuss these relationships with their provider.
The Data Coverage level for Dr. Akle 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.
✓ 16 years in practice
▲ Top 20% volume in TX
$10,391 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗13,435
Medicare services
Top 20% in TX for radiology - diagnostic neuroimaging
2,003
Unique beneficiaries
$11
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · Not a quality rating · How to read this →
~840 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRI contrast dye injection (gadoterate) Administration of gadoterate meglumine, a contrast agent, in a 0.1 ml dose. |
9,954 | $0 | $1 |
| Contrast dye for imaging (iodine-based) A contrast agent containing 300-399 mg/ml of iodine used to enhance imaging studies. It is administered per milliliter to improve the visibility of internal structures. |
1,260 | $0 | $2 |
| 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. |
243 | $36 | $111 |
| Chest X-ray, 1 view An X-ray image of the chest taken from a single angle. This imaging test is used to visualize the structures within the chest cavity. |
193 | $7 | $59 |
| Gadoteridol injection (ProHance) Injection of gadoteridol, a contrast agent used to enhance imaging results. |
193 | $1 | $5 |
| 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. |
132 | $10 | $84 |
| Complete ultrasound of retroperitoneum An ultrasound examination of the structures located behind the abdominal cavity. |
104 | $28 | $252 |
| Abdominal fluid drainage with imaging guidance Removal of fluid from the abdominal cavity using imaging technology to guide the procedure. |
103 | $86 | $702 |
| MRI scan of brain, without contrast A magnetic resonance imaging test of the brain that does not use contrast dye. This procedure creates detailed images of the brain's structure using magnetic fields and radio waves. |
96 | $123 | $571 |
| Ultrasound of arm or leg veins An ultrasound exam of the veins in the arm or leg. The test uses sound waves to check blood flow and may include compression and other maneuvers. |
72 | $132 | $548 |
| MRI of brain with and without contrast An MRI scan of the brain using contrast dye both before and after administration to provide detailed images of brain structures. |
71 | $242 | $972 |
| Fluoroscopic guidance for central vein access device Use of live X-ray imaging to guide the placement or removal of a central vein access device. |
65 | $15 | $177 |
| Ultrasound guidance for blood vessel access Use of ultrasound imaging to help locate and access a blood vessel. This guidance assists healthcare providers in performing procedures such as inserting IV lines or drawing blood. |
63 | $12 | $173 |
| Limited abdominal ultrasound A focused ultrasound examination of the abdomen to evaluate specific organs or areas. This procedure uses sound waves to create images of internal structures. |
60 | $23 | $202 |
| Complete ultrasound of abdomen A diagnostic imaging test that uses sound waves to create detailed pictures of the organs and structures within the abdomen. |
47 | $79 | $344 |
| Ultrasound guidance for needle placement Use of ultrasound imaging to guide the precise placement of a needle during a medical procedure. |
44 | $25 | $233 |
| CT scan of chest blood vessels with contrast A CT scan that uses contrast dye to create detailed images of the blood vessels in the chest. |
39 | $71 | $596 |
| MRI of upper spine without contrast An MRI scan of the upper spinal canal that does not use contrast dye. This imaging test uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the spine. |
37 | $71 | $548 |
| MRI of head blood vessels without contrast An MRI scan that creates detailed images of the blood vessels in the head without using contrast dye. |
35 | $45 | $405 |
| CT scan of head blood vessels with contrast A CT scan that uses contrast dye to create detailed images of the blood vessels in the head. |
34 | $68 | $593 |
| Ultrasound of arm or leg veins An ultrasound exam of the veins in one arm or leg using compression and other maneuvers to assess blood flow and check for blockages. |
32 | $73 | $347 |
| Chest fluid aspiration with imaging guidance This procedure involves removing fluid from the chest cavity using imaging technology to guide the needle placement. |
30 | $88 | $1,075 |
| CT scan of neck blood vessels with contrast A computed tomography scan that uses dye to visualize the blood vessels in the neck. This imaging test helps examine the structure and flow within the neck's vascular system. |
29 | $66 | $592 |
| 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. |
29 | $8 | $72 |
| MRI of lower spine, without contrast A magnetic resonance imaging scan of the lower spinal canal that does not use contrast dye to create detailed images of the spine. |
29 | $75 | $518 |
| Insertion of tunneled central venous catheter for infusion, age 5+ A surgical procedure to place a long-term catheter into a large vein for delivering medications or fluids. The catheter is tunneled under the skin to reduce infection risk and provide stable access for patients aged 5 and older. |
25 | $211 | $1,869 |
| CT scan of upper spine, without contrast A CT scan uses X-rays to create detailed images of the upper spine. This procedure is performed without the use of contrast dye. |
23 | $38 | $393 |
| Radiologist review of CT-guided needle placement A radiologist reviews the CT imaging used to guide the placement of a needle. |
23 | $57 | $392 |
| Ultrasound of leg arteries or grafts An imaging test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the blood vessels in the legs or any surgical grafts present. |
21 | $150 | $655 |
| Central venous port insertion A surgical procedure to place a small reservoir under the skin for long-term access to the bloodstream. The device is connected to a vein to allow for repeated medication administration or blood draws. |
19 | $272 | $2,256 |
| Brain nuclear medicine study with metabolic evaluation A nuclear medicine imaging test that uses radioactive tracers to evaluate brain metabolism. This procedure helps assess how brain tissues are functioning at a metabolic level. |
19 | $1,174 | $4,450 |
| Fluorodeoxyglucose f-18 fdg, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 45 millicuries | 19 | $92 | $660 |
| Removal of tunneled central venous tube This procedure involves the removal of a catheter that has been surgically placed under the skin and threaded into a large vein. |
18 | $107 | $942 |
| Kidney needle biopsy A procedure in which a needle is used to remove a small sample of kidney tissue for examination. |
18 | $103 | $1,050 |
| Insertion of non-tunneled central venous catheter A procedure to place a central venous catheter for infusion in patients aged 5 years or older. The catheter is inserted directly into a large vein without being tunneled under the skin. |
17 | $69 | $791 |
| MRI of neck blood vessels without contrast This procedure uses magnetic resonance imaging to create detailed pictures of the blood vessels in the neck without the use of contrast dye. |
17 | $45 | $403 |
| CT scan of abdominal and pelvic blood vessels with contrast A computed tomography scan that uses contrast dye to visualize the blood vessels in the abdomen and pelvis. |
17 | $85 | $804 |
| Ultrasound scan of organ tissue for measuring elasticity This procedure uses ultrasound technology to assess the stiffness or elasticity of organ tissues. It helps evaluate tissue characteristics without invasive methods. |
17 | $24 | $198 |
| 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. |
16 | $8 | $80 |
| MRI of middle spinal canal, without contrast This procedure uses magnetic resonance imaging to create detailed pictures of the middle section of the spinal canal. It is performed without the use of contrast dye. |
16 | $55 | $542 |
| Ultrasound of aorta, vena cava, groin vessels or bypass grafts This procedure uses sound waves to create images of the aorta, vena cava, groin vessels, or bypass grafts. It allows for the visualization of these blood vessels and any surgical grafts. |
16 | $70 | $341 |
| Bone marrow biopsy and aspiration A procedure to remove a small sample of bone marrow and liquid for laboratory testing. The sample is analyzed to help diagnose various medical conditions. |
15 | $61 | $619 |
| Trabecular bone score interpretation Analysis of bone texture to assess fracture risk. The provider interprets the trabecular bone score and generates a report on the patient's risk of fractures. |
15 | $8 | $85 |
| X-ray of lower and sacral spine, minimum of 4 views An X-ray imaging test of the lower back and sacrum using at least four different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
14 | $10 | $107 |
| CT scan of face, without contrast A computed tomography scan that creates detailed images of the facial structures. This procedure is performed without the use of intravenous contrast dye. |
13 | $99 | $389 |
| Ultrasound of head and neck blood flow, bilateral An ultrasound exam that uses sound waves to visualize and assess blood flow in the vessels of both the head and the neck. |
13 | $110 | $504 |
| Lumbar puncture with imaging guidance A procedure to remove spinal fluid from the lower back for diagnostic testing, performed using imaging guidance. |
12 | $71 | $538 |
| CT scan of head/brain, without contrast A CT scan uses X-rays to create detailed images of the head or brain without the use of contrast dye. |
12 | $72 | $320 |
| X-ray of middle spine, 3 views An X-ray imaging test that captures three different views of the middle section of the spine to evaluate its structure. |
12 | $9 | $77 |
| Ultrasound of abdomen and pelvis blood flow An ultrasound exam that uses sound waves to visualize and assess blood flow through the arteries and veins in the abdomen and pelvis. |
12 | $31 | $378 |
| CT scan of lower spine, without contrast A computed tomography scan that creates detailed images of the lower spine using X-rays without the use of contrast dye. |
11 | $37 | $391 |
| Complete ultrasound of abdomen and pelvis blood flow This procedure uses sound waves to create images of blood flow in the arteries and veins of the abdomen and pelvis. It evaluates the rate and direction of blood movement within these vessels. |
11 | $45 | $573 |
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
93.6% medium
5.9% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$10,391
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $1,484/year across 7 years
Top 0% in TX for radiology - diagnostic neuroimaging
20
Companies
66
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.
Consulting
Expert advisory fees, typically reflecting recognized clinical expertise
$6,919 (66.6%)
Meals & Travel
Food, beverages, travel, and lodging — typically low-value
$3,471 (33.4%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$473
2023
$442
2022
$854
2021
$359
2020
$424
2019
$7,065
2018
$773
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
GE HEALTHCARE
$6,919
Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
$1,094
Sirtex Medical Inc
$595
Boston Scientific Corporation
$404
Medical Device Business Services, Inc.
$245
Ethicon US, LLC
$220
Penumbra, Inc.
$140
Abbott Laboratories
$127
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$122
Covidien LP
$85
Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
$79
Medtronic, Inc.
$68
BRACCO DIAGNOSTICS INC.
$48
Cook Medical LLC
$47
AngioDynamics, Inc.
$45
GE HealthCare
$45
Terumo Medical Corporation
$38
Tactile Systems Technology Inc
$29
ARGON MEDICAL DEVICES, INC.
$29
EKOS Corporation
$11
Top 3 companies account for 82.8% of total payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
ABRE · ALPHAVAC · AZUR CX DETACHABLE · COOK MEDICAL ZENITH · Cardiogen-82 · Chameleon · ClosureFast · Clot Management · Cook Medical Embolization · Cryocare CS · EKOSONIC · EMBOLD Fibered · Embozene · FLEXITOUCH · GENERAL - VASCULAR INTERVENTION · General - Vascular Intervention · LAVA LES (Liquid Embolic System) · Megadyne · NEUWAVE Flex Microwave Ablation System · Neuwave · Perclose ProGlide suture mediated closure system · Ruby · SHINGRIX · SIR-Spheres Microspheres · TheraSphere Y90 Glass Microspheres 10 GBq · VENASEAL · Varian CRYOCARE TOUCH System
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 (67%) are consulting fees, which typically reflect recognized clinical expertise sought by manufacturers. Total industry engagement is in the top 0% for radiology - diagnostic neuroimaging in TX.
Equivalent to $77 per 100 Medicare services performed
Geographic Context
Radiology - diagnostic neuroimagings within 10 mi
2
Per 100K population
0.0
County median income
$73,104
Nearest hospital
MEMORIAL HERMANN HOSPITAL SYSTEM
2.1 mi
2.1 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. Akle is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 20% in TX), with consulting-driven industry engagement in the top 0% of TX peers, with 16 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. Akle experienced with mri contrast dye injection (gadoterate)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Akle performed 9,954 mri contrast dye injection (gadoterate) 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. Akle receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Akle received a total of $10,391 from 20 companies across 66 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. Akle's costs compare to other radiology - diagnostic neuroimagings in Houston?
Dr. Akle's average Medicare payment per service is $11. 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. Akle) 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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