Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Stephen Liaw, M.D.
Radiation Oncology · 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. Liaw 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. Liaw?
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What this data tells you about Dr. Liaw
Dr. Stephen Liaw is a radiation oncology specialist in Houston, TX, with 15 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Liaw performed 31,772 Medicare services across 6,253 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Liaw received a total of $72 from 1 pharmaceutical and/or device company across 4 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in radiation oncology. 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. Liaw 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.
✓ 15 years in practice
▲ Top 1% volume in TX
$72 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗31,772
Medicare services
Top 1% in TX for radiation oncology
6,253
Unique beneficiaries
$18
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · Not a quality rating · How to read this →
~2,118 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. |
22,824 | $0 | $0 |
| 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. |
2,150 | $0 | $0 |
| 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. |
766 | $6 | $35 |
| 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. |
543 | $143 | $1,600 |
| MRI of leg joint, without contrast A magnetic resonance imaging scan of a joint in the leg performed without the use of contrast dye. |
382 | $146 | $1,546 |
| X-ray of hand, minimum of 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the hand that captures at least three different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
253 | $27 | $86 |
| 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. |
223 | $138 | $1,516 |
| Foot X-ray, 3+ views An X-ray imaging test of the foot that captures at least three different views to evaluate the bones and joints. |
219 | $24 | $86 |
| MRI of arm joint, without contrast An MRI scan uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the arm joint. This specific procedure is performed without the use of a contrast dye. |
207 | $149 | $1,582 |
| Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement Use of real-time X-ray imaging to guide the precise placement of a needle during a medical procedure. |
184 | $87 | $232 |
| Technetium Tc-99m medronate diagnostic injection An injection of Technetium Tc-99m medronate used for diagnostic imaging studies. The dose administered is up to 30 millicuries per study. |
178 | $30 | $40 |
| 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. |
152 | $24 | $92 |
| Steroid injection (triamcinolone) A 10 mg injection of triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid medication. This code specifies the drug and dosage administered. |
145 | $1 | $54 |
| 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. |
144 | $22 | $84 |
| Whole body bone and joint nuclear medicine scan A nuclear medicine imaging test that uses a radioactive tracer to create pictures of the entire skeleton and joints. This scan helps evaluate bone health and detect abnormalities throughout the body. |
143 | $200 | $679 |
| 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. |
142 | $90 | $831 |
| CT scan of leg, without contrast A computed tomography scan of the leg performed without the use of contrast dye. This imaging test uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the leg's internal structures. |
122 | $94 | $793 |
| Joint injection, major joint Removal of fluid from a large joint and/or injection of medication into the joint space. |
120 | $50 | $209 |
| 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. |
119 | $118 | $1,623 |
| Abdominal X-ray, 1 view An X-ray image of the abdomen taken from a single angle to visualize internal structures. |
108 | $6 | $35 |
| Dexamethasone injection (steroid) An injection of dexamethasone sodium phosphate, a corticosteroid medication, administered in a dose of 1 milligram. |
100 | $0 | $17 |
| MRI of leg, without contrast A magnetic resonance imaging scan of the leg performed without the use of contrast dye to visualize internal structures. |
98 | $165 | $1,578 |
| Hip X-ray, 2-3 views An X-ray imaging test of the hip joint using two to three different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
95 | $33 | $125 |
| Knee X-ray, 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the knee joint that captures three different angles to evaluate the bones and surrounding structures. |
92 | $26 | $92 |
| Wrist X-ray, minimum 3 views An imaging test using X-rays to capture at least three different angles of the wrist bones and joints. |
89 | $29 | $92 |
| 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. |
87 | $20 | $104 |
| MRI of lower spine with and without contrast An MRI scan of the lower spinal canal performed both before and after the administration of contrast dye to enhance image detail. |
77 | $230 | $2,189 |
| CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast A CT scan that uses dye to create detailed images of the abdomen and pelvis. This imaging test helps doctors examine internal organs and structures in these areas. |
77 | $60 | $353 |
| CT scan of abdomen and pelvis, without contrast A computed tomography scan that creates detailed images of the abdominal and pelvic organs. The procedure is performed without the use of intravenous contrast dye. |
76 | $59 | $337 |
| 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. |
71 | $34 | $151 |
| 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. |
70 | $26 | $109 |
| Ankle X-ray, minimum 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the ankle that captures at least three different angles to evaluate the bones and joints. |
69 | $25 | $86 |
| Ultrasound-guided large joint aspiration or injection This procedure uses ultrasound imaging to guide the removal of fluid from or the injection of medication into a large joint. |
64 | $80 | $296 |
| 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. |
62 | $88 | $840 |
| 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. |
54 | $26 | $102 |
| Sacral spine nerve root injection with imaging guidance An injection of anesthetic and/or steroid medication into a sacral spine nerve root. The procedure uses imaging guidance to ensure accurate placement. |
47 | $189 | $684 |
| CT scan of arm, without contrast A CT scan of the arm that uses X-rays to create detailed images of the arm's internal structures without the use of contrast dye. |
47 | $114 | $803 |
| Ultrasound guidance for needle placement Use of ultrasound imaging to guide the precise placement of a needle during a medical procedure. |
47 | $44 | $510 |
| MRI of pelvis, without contrast A magnetic resonance imaging scan of the pelvic area performed without the use of contrast dye. |
46 | $170 | $1,579 |
| CT scan of chest, without contrast A computed tomography scan of the chest area that uses X-rays to create detailed images without the use of contrast dye. |
45 | $39 | $226 |
| CT scan of middle spine, without contrast A CT scan of the middle spine performed without the use of contrast dye. This imaging test uses X-rays to create detailed pictures of the vertebrae and surrounding structures. |
42 | $88 | $838 |
| 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. |
39 | $22 | $107 |
| Limited retroperitoneal ultrasound A focused ultrasound exam of the area behind the abdominal cavity to evaluate specific structures. |
37 | $21 | $111 |
| Limited ultrasound of joint or extremity A focused ultrasound exam of a specific joint or other structure in the arm or leg, excluding blood vessels. |
36 | $30 | $175 |
| Complete x-ray of body bones An x-ray imaging procedure that captures images of the entire skeletal system. |
36 | $77 | $275 |
| 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. |
35 | $38 | $157 |
| CT scan of pelvis, without contrast A CT scan that uses X-rays to create detailed images of the pelvic area without the use of contrast dye. |
34 | $40 | $211 |
| Knee X-ray, 4 or more views An imaging test using X-rays to create multiple pictures of the knee joint from different angles. |
34 | $30 | $108 |
| Tendon or ligament injection A procedure involving the injection of medication into a tendon or ligament. |
32 | $43 | $154 |
| 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. |
29 | $64 | $352 |
| MRI of arm without contrast An MRI scan of the arm that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of internal structures without the use of contrast dye. |
28 | $207 | $1,606 |
| Injection into lower spine canal with imaging guidance A procedure where a substance is injected into the lower part of the spinal canal. The injection is performed using imaging guidance to ensure accurate placement. |
27 | $194 | $748 |
| 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. |
24 | $6 | $34 |
| X-ray of thigh bone, minimum 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the thigh bone using at least two different angles to visualize the bone structure. |
24 | $27 | $98 |
| X-ray of sacrum and tailbone, minimum of 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the sacrum and tailbone using at least two different angles to visualize the bones. |
22 | $23 | $91 |
| Ultrasound of head and neck soft tissue This procedure uses sound waves to create images of the soft tissues in the head and neck area. It allows for the visualization of structures beneath the skin without using radiation. |
22 | $76 | $304 |
| 3D screening mammography (tomosynthesis) A screening imaging test of the breast using 3D technology to detect potential abnormalities. |
22 | $51 | $171 |
| Screening mammography An X-ray of the breast used to detect breast cancer in women who have no signs or symptoms of the disease. |
22 | $123 | $268 |
| Bone/joint nuclear medicine scan, limited area A nuclear medicine imaging test that uses a small amount of radioactive material to create pictures of a specific bone or joint area. |
22 | $159 | $708 |
| X-ray of both hips, minimum of 5 views An X-ray imaging test that captures at least five different views of both hip joints to evaluate bone structure and alignment. |
21 | $41 | $172 |
| Double contrast esophagram An X-ray of the esophagus using two types of contrast material to create detailed images of the upper digestive tract. |
21 | $75 | $330 |
| CT scan of chest with contrast A computed tomography scan of the chest using a contrast dye to enhance the visibility of internal structures. |
20 | $37 | $240 |
| X-ray of upper spine, 4-5 views An X-ray imaging test of the upper spine using 4 to 5 different views to visualize the bones and structures in that area. |
20 | $35 | $149 |
| Joint fluid aspiration or injection, small joint Removal of fluid from a small joint or injection of medication into a small joint. |
19 | $50 | $206 |
| Injection of anesthetic or steroid into sacroiliac joint with imaging guidance This procedure involves injecting an anesthetic or steroid medication into the joint connecting the lower spine and hip bone. Imaging guidance is used to ensure accurate placement of the injection. |
19 | $99 | $880 |
| X-ray of hand, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the hand using two different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
19 | $24 | $80 |
| Radiologist review of CT-guided needle placement A radiologist reviews the CT imaging used to guide the placement of a needle. |
19 | $109 | $998 |
| CT scan of lower spine with contrast A computed tomography scan of the lower spine using a contrast dye to enhance the images. This imaging test provides detailed views of the spinal structures. |
18 | $124 | $990 |
| X-ray of forearm, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the forearm using two different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
18 | $4 | $33 |
| CT scan of arm with contrast A computed tomography scan of the arm using a contrast dye to enhance the visibility of internal structures. |
18 | $150 | $925 |
| 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. |
18 | $20 | $114 |
| 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. |
18 | $9 | $39 |
| Joint fluid aspiration or injection, medium joint Removal of fluid from a medium-sized joint or injection of medication into the joint space. |
17 | $42 | $159 |
| Rib X-ray, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the ribs on one side of the body using two different angles. |
17 | $25 | $99 |
| MRI of upper spine with and without contrast An MRI scan of the upper spinal canal performed both before and after the administration of contrast dye to enhance image detail. |
17 | $230 | $2,240 |
| MRI of arm joint with and without contrast An MRI scan of the arm joint performed both before and after the administration of contrast dye to provide detailed images of the joint structures. |
17 | $289 | $2,129 |
| X-ray of lower leg, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the lower leg using two different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
17 | $24 | $84 |
| MRI of leg with and without contrast An MRI scan of the leg performed both before and after the administration of a contrast dye to enhance image detail. |
17 | $260 | $2,243 |
| 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. |
17 | $25 | $133 |
| 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. |
17 | $82 | $466 |
| Contrast injection for shoulder joint imaging A contrast dye is injected into the shoulder joint to enhance imaging studies. This helps visualize the joint structures more clearly during the procedure. |
16 | $131 | $422 |
| X-ray of spine, 1 view A single-view X-ray image of the spine to visualize the bones and alignment. |
16 | $15 | $71 |
| Rib X-ray, minimum 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the ribs on one side of the body. The procedure includes a minimum of three different views to capture detailed images. |
15 | $9 | $53 |
| 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. |
15 | $22 | $85 |
| X-ray of both hips, 3-4 views An X-ray imaging test that captures 3 to 4 views of both hip joints to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
15 | $33 | $148 |
| Complete ultrasound of abdomen A diagnostic imaging test that uses sound waves to create detailed pictures of the organs and structures within the abdomen. |
15 | $68 | $377 |
| MRI of spinal canal with and without contrast A magnetic resonance imaging scan of the central spinal canal performed both before and after the administration of contrast dye to enhance image detail. |
14 | $250 | $2,175 |
| MRI of pelvis with and without contrast A magnetic resonance imaging scan of the pelvic area performed both before and after the administration of a contrast dye to enhance image detail. |
14 | $233 | $2,218 |
| X-ray of sacroiliac joint, 3 or more views An X-ray imaging test that takes three or more pictures of the joint connecting the lower spine to the hip bone. |
14 | $26 | $99 |
| Elbow X-ray, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the elbow joint using two different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
14 | $22 | $82 |
| Elbow X-ray, minimum 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the elbow joint that captures at least three different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
14 | $5 | $34 |
| 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. |
14 | $18 | $80 |
| MRI of leg joint with and without contrast An MRI scan of a leg joint performed both before and after the administration of contrast dye to enhance image detail. |
14 | $293 | $2,127 |
| Spinal stabilization device placement Surgical procedure to stabilize a fractured vertebra in the lower spine by inserting a supportive device. |
13 | $4,386 | $22,224 |
| Spinal nerve root injection with imaging guidance An injection of anesthetic or steroid medication into a single nerve root in the upper or middle spine. The procedure uses imaging guidance to ensure accurate placement. |
13 | $204 | $703 |
| X-ray of lower and sacral spine, minimum 6 views An X-ray imaging test that captures at least six views of the lower back and sacral spine to evaluate bone structure and alignment. |
12 | $44 | $193 |
| X-ray of upper arm, minimum of 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the upper arm that captures at least two different views to evaluate the bones and surrounding structures. |
12 | $25 | $91 |
| X-ray of lower spinal canal An X-ray image of the lower part of the spinal canal is taken. A radiologist reviews the images to evaluate the area. |
11 | $191 | $731 |
| CT scan of upper spine with contrast A computed tomography scan of the upper spine that uses a contrast dye to enhance the visibility of internal structures. |
11 | $105 | $993 |
| CT scan of leg with contrast A CT scan of the leg using contrast material to enhance the visibility of internal structures. |
11 | $39 | $226 |
| Additional sedation, per 15 minutes Administration of a drug to deepen sedation during a procedure. This code covers each additional 15-minute increment of sedation beyond the initial period. |
11 | $8 | $33 |
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 2021 ↗$72
Total received (2020-2021)
Avg $36/year across 2 years
Bottom 28% in TX for radiation oncology
1
Company
4
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
$72 (100.0%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2021
$34
2020
$38
Payments by company (2021)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
GE HEALTHCARE
$72
Top 3 companies account for 100.0% of total payments
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 $0 per 100 Medicare services performed
Geographic Context
Radiation oncologists within 10 mi
765
Per 100K population
16.1
County median income
$73,104
Nearest hospital
MEMORIAL HERMANN - TEXAS 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 2021 |
| 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. Liaw is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 1% in TX), with low-engagement industry engagement, with 15 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. Liaw experienced with mri contrast dye injection (gadoterate)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Liaw performed 22,824 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. Liaw receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Liaw received a total of $72 from 1 company across 4 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. Liaw's costs compare to other radiation oncologists in Houston?
Dr. Liaw's average Medicare payment per service is $18. 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. Liaw) 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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