Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Elvin Garcia, M.D.
Rheumatology · Mcallen, 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. Garcia 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. Garcia
Dr. Elvin Garcia is a rheumatology specialist in Mcallen, TX, with 19 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Garcia performed 95,355 Medicare services across 6,441 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Garcia received a total of $95,918 from 15 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 156 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. Garcia 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 16% volume in TX
$95,918 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗95,355
Medicare services
Top 16% in TX for rheumatology
6,441
Unique beneficiaries
$17
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · Not a quality rating · How to read this →
~5,019 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tocilizumab injection (Actemra) | 29,940 | $5 | $6 |
| Dexamethasone injection (steroid) An injection of dexamethasone sodium phosphate, a corticosteroid medication, administered in a dose of 1 milligram. |
25,173 | $0 | $0 |
| Rituximab injection, 10 mg Administration of a 10 mg dose of rituximab medication via injection. |
7,411 | $63 | $100 |
| Denosumab injection (Prolia/Xgeva) | 6,541 | $18 | $25 |
| Infliximab infusion (Remicade) An injection of infliximab, excluding biosimilar versions, administered in a 10 mg dose. |
6,520 | $26 | $121 |
| Abatacept infusion (Orencia) An injection of abatacept administered under the direct supervision of a physician. This code is used for Medicare when the drug is not self-administered. |
6,400 | $34 | $60 |
| 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. |
1,240 | $86 | $145 |
| Additional hour of intravenous chemotherapy This code represents the administration of chemotherapy medication into a vein for each additional hour beyond the initial period. |
953 | $21 | $55 |
| 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. |
918 | $117 | $180 |
| Ketorolac injection, per 15 mg An injection of ketorolac tromethamine, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, administered in doses measured per 15 mg. |
813 | $0 | $5 |
| 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. |
761 | $4 | $10 |
| 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. |
747 | $5 | $15 |
| Intravenous chemotherapy infusion, 1 hour or less Administration of chemotherapy medication directly into a vein. The procedure takes one hour or less to complete. |
708 | $95 | $250 |
| 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. |
696 | $10 | $30 |
| Diphenhydramine injection, up to 50 mg An injection of diphenhydramine hydrochloride, an antihistamine medication, administered in a dose of up to 50 milligrams. |
677 | $1 | $2 |
| Intravenous injection of additional new drug or substance Administration of an additional new medication or substance directly into a vein. |
672 | $11 | $20 |
| 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. |
604 | $8 | $25 |
| Joint injection, major joint Removal of fluid from a large joint and/or injection of medication into the joint space. |
411 | $57 | $114 |
| Injection, methylprednisolone acetate, 40 mg | 411 | $6 | $10 |
| Viscosupplementation injection for joint An injection of hyaluronic acid or a derivative into a joint to provide lubrication and cushioning. |
362 | $57 | $105 |
| Non-hormonal chemotherapy injection This procedure involves administering non-hormonal anti-neoplastic chemotherapy medication via injection into the skin or muscle tissue. |
357 | $52 | $90 |
| Trigger point injection, 3 or more muscles Injection of medication into three or more specific muscle trigger points to relieve pain. |
255 | $42 | $90 |
| Rheumatoid factor analysis | 254 | $6 | $15 |
| 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. |
223 | $25 | $50 |
| X-ray of hand, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the hand using two different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
210 | $23 | $50 |
| Urinalysis, manual A manual laboratory examination of a urine sample to check for various substances and cells. |
191 | $3 | $15 |
| Wrist X-ray, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the wrist using two different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
178 | $25 | $50 |
| Trigger point injection, 1-2 muscles A procedure involving the injection of medication into one or two specific muscles to treat trigger points. |
141 | $36 | $80 |
| 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. |
139 | $36 | $100 |
| 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. |
137 | $21 | $50 |
| X-ray of ankle, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the ankle using two different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
123 | $25 | $50 |
| Autoimmune disorder antibody test A laboratory test that measures antibodies in the blood to help assess for autoimmune disorders. |
109 | $18 | $35 |
| Autoimmune disorder screening test A laboratory test used to screen for the presence of autoimmune disorders. |
108 | $12 | $25 |
| DNA antibody test (native or double-stranded) A blood test that measures the level of antibodies targeting native or double-stranded DNA. This test is used to detect the presence of these specific antibodies in the body. |
108 | $13 | $30 |
| 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. |
107 | $27 | $50 |
| 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. |
99 | $107 | $250 |
| Vitamin D level test A blood test to measure the amount of Vitamin D-3 in your body. |
97 | $29 | $50 |
| 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. |
95 | $67 | $126 |
| 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. |
91 | $26 | $50 |
| 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. |
82 | $24 | $50 |
| 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. |
63 | $29 | $50 |
| 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. |
63 | $25 | $50 |
| 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. |
63 | $30 | $100 |
| 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. |
46 | $25 | $50 |
| Joint fluid aspiration or injection, medium joint Removal of fluid from a medium-sized joint or injection of medication into the joint space. |
22 | $34 | $80 |
| 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. |
19 | $36 | $50 |
| Strep antibody screening test A blood test used to screen for antibodies related to strep throat infection. |
17 | $6 | $15 |
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.
14.3% high complexity
78.5% medium
7.2% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$95,918
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $13,703/year across 7 years
Top 7% in TX for rheumatology
15
Companies
156
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
$95,066 (99.1%)
Meals & Travel
Food, beverages, travel, and lodging — typically low-value
$852 (0.9%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$12,825
2023
$22,411
2022
$16,706
2021
$28,764
2020
$836
2019
$4,254
2018
$10,121
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Horizon Therapeutics plc
$42,551
Aurinia Pharma U.S., Inc.
$22,551
Amgen Inc.
$12,434
Horizon Pharma plc
$9,873
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$7,520
Genentech USA, Inc.
$224
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$154
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$137
ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$134
AbbVie, Inc.
$113
Celgene Corporation
$112
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$42
PFIZER INC.
$39
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$18
Lilly USA, LLC
$17
Top 3 companies account for 80.8% of total payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
BENLYSTA · DUEXIS · Humira · KRYSTEXXA · LEQVIO · LUPKYNIS · OFEV · ORENCIA · Otezla · PENNSAID · PURIFIED CORTROPHIN GEL · Rituxan · TALTZ · TREMFYA · Tavneos · XELJANZ
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 (99%) 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 7% for rheumatology in TX.
Equivalent to $101 per 100 Medicare services performed
Geographic Context
Rheumatologists within 10 mi
8
Per 100K population
0.9
County median income
$52,281
Nearest hospital
RIO GRANDE REGIONAL HOSPITAL
3.7 mi
3.7 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. Garcia is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 16% in TX), with speaking/promotional industry engagement in the top 7% 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. Garcia experienced with tocilizumab injection (actemra)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Garcia performed 29,940 tocilizumab injection (actemra) 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. Garcia receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Garcia received a total of $95,918 from 15 companies across 156 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. Garcia's costs compare to other rheumatologists in Mcallen?
Dr. Garcia's average Medicare payment per service is $17. 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. Garcia) 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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