Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Vijaya Pokala, M.D., F.A.C.C.
Internal Medicine · Nacogdoches, 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. Pokala 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. Pokala?
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What this data tells you about Dr. Pokala
Dr. Vijaya Pokala is an internal medicine specialist in Nacogdoches, TX, with 19 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Pokala performed 8,526 Medicare services across 3,941 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Pokala received a total of $10,486 from 40 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 564 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in internal medicine. 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. Pokala 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 4% volume in TX
$10,486 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗8,526
Medicare services
Top 4% in TX for internal medicine
3,941
Unique beneficiaries
$49
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · Not a quality rating · How to read this →
~449 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
1,980 | $0 | $2 |
| 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. |
1,731 | $80 | $298 |
| Electrocardiogram (EKG), 12-lead A standard heart rhythm test using at least 12 leads to record electrical activity. A healthcare provider interprets the results and provides a written report. |
623 | $10 | $58 |
| 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. |
488 | $62 | $202 |
| EKG interpretation and report A standard electrocardiogram test that records the heart's electrical activity using at least 12 leads. The service includes a professional interpretation of the results and a written report. |
475 | $6 | $25 |
| Hospital follow-up visit, moderate complexity Follow-up hospital visit for an existing patient involving moderate medical decision making. The visit requires at least 35 minutes of time spent on the date of service. |
343 | $60 | $202 |
| Regadenoson injection (Lexiscan) for heart stress test An injection of regadenoson, a medication used to stress the heart during diagnostic testing. |
292 | $43 | $155 |
| Initial hospital admission, high complexity Initial hospital inpatient or observation care for a new patient involving high-level medical decision making, with at least 75 minutes total time on the date of the encounter. |
247 | $124 | $562 |
| Echocardiogram, transthoracic An ultrasound of the heart that uses color to show blood flow, rate, direction, and valve function. |
170 | $126 | $726 |
| Exercise or drug-induced heart stress test with ECG A heart stress test performed using exercise or medication while monitoring the electrocardiogram under physician supervision and review. |
159 | $47 | $272 |
| Prothrombin time test (blood clotting) A laboratory test that measures how long it takes for blood to clot. This procedure evaluates the body's coagulation process. |
155 | $4 | $15 |
| Pacemaker system evaluation Assessment of a pacemaker device, including single, dual, multiple lead, or leadless systems. |
127 | $35 | $119 |
| Intravenous infusion, 1 hour or less Administration of medication or fluid directly into a vein for therapeutic, preventive, or diagnostic purposes. The procedure lasts one hour or less. |
123 | $47 | $202 |
| Steroid injection (triamcinolone) A 10 mg injection of triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid medication. This code specifies the drug and dosage administered. |
122 | $1 | $6 |
| Annual wellness visit, follow-up A follow-up annual wellness visit that includes a personalized prevention plan of service. |
113 | $124 | $324 |
| Anticoagulant management for warfarin Management of anticoagulant therapy for a patient taking warfarin. This service involves monitoring and adjusting the medication regimen. |
111 | $7 | $34 |
| Intravenous drug injection A procedure involving the administration of a medication or substance directly into a vein. |
108 | $28 | $148 |
| Nuclear stress test of heart muscle A nuclear medicine imaging test that evaluates blood flow to the heart muscle at rest and during stress using a special camera. |
102 | $313 | $1,349 |
| Technetium Tc-99m tetrofosmin diagnostic injection A diagnostic injection of Technetium Tc-99m tetrofosmin used for imaging studies. |
99 | $111 | $815 |
| Physician review of home INR testing A physician reviews, interprets, and manages home INR testing results for patients with mechanical heart valves, chronic atrial fibrillation, or venous thromboembolism who meet Medicare coverage criteria. |
95 | $7 | $27 |
| Ceftriaxone antibiotic injection This code represents the administration of ceftriaxone sodium, an antibiotic medication. The charge is calculated for every 250 mg of the drug administered. |
93 | $0 | $3 |
| 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. |
85 | $121 | $454 |
| Office visit, established patient (10-19 min) An office visit for an existing patient lasting 10 to 19 minutes. The visit involves medical evaluation and management of the patient's condition. |
74 | $40 | $122 |
| Follow-up heart ultrasound An ultrasound of the heart performed to monitor or reassess a previously identified condition or treatment progress. |
73 | $67 | $333 |
| 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. |
50 | $76 | $299 |
| Ultrasound of arm and leg arteries This procedure uses sound waves to create images of the blood vessels in the arms and legs. It allows healthcare providers to examine the structure and blood flow within these arteries. |
48 | $52 | $328 |
| Implantable defibrillator system check A check of the implanted defibrillator device to ensure it is functioning correctly. This evaluation covers single, dual, or multiple lead systems. |
47 | $50 | $181 |
| 2-day continuous ECG with review and report A two-day continuous electrocardiogram recording that includes a professional review and written report of the results. |
32 | $47 | $324 |
| Coronary stent placement A procedure to insert a stent into a coronary artery or its branch to keep it open, using balloon dilation during the process. |
28 | $380 | $1,734 |
| 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. |
28 | $136 | $701 |
| 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. |
27 | $25 | $96 |
| 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. |
25 | $9 | $66 |
| Home health plan of care re-certification A physician reviews the patient's status and contacts the home health agency to re-certify the plan of care without the patient being present. |
24 | $30 | $117 |
| Hospital discharge day management, 30 minutes or less This service covers the final day of hospital care when the patient is being discharged. It includes coordination of care and instructions for the patient within a time frame of 30 minutes or less. |
22 | $62 | $204 |
| Joint injection, major joint Removal of fluid from a large joint and/or injection of medication into the joint space. |
21 | $42 | $191 |
| Exercise or drug-induced heart stress test with ECG A heart stress test performed using exercise or medication while an electrocardiogram is monitored under physician supervision. |
20 | $15 | $68 |
| Exercise or drug-induced heart stress test with ECG A heart stress test performed using exercise or medication while monitoring the electrocardiogram, with physician review of the results. |
20 | $10 | $45 |
| Transesophageal echocardiogram An ultrasound of the heart performed using a probe inserted into the esophagus to obtain detailed images of heart structures and function. |
20 | $81 | $315 |
| 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. |
19 | $156 | $866 |
| 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. |
19 | $63 | $457 |
| External shock to heart to regulate heart beat A procedure that delivers an electric shock to the heart from outside the body to restore a normal heart rhythm. |
16 | $76 | $362 |
| Arterial tube insertion, first branch A procedure to insert a tube into the first branch of an artery in the abdomen, pelvis, or leg. |
13 | $546 | $3,631 |
| Limited retroperitoneal ultrasound A focused ultrasound exam of the area behind the abdominal cavity to evaluate specific structures. |
13 | $38 | $230 |
| Continuous ECG monitoring, up to 30 days Continuous heart rhythm monitoring for up to 30 days, including professional review and reporting of the results. |
12 | $16 | $73 |
| Inhalation treatment for airway obstruction or sputum production A treatment involving the inhalation of medication to help clear airway obstructions or reduce sputum production. |
12 | $7 | $53 |
| Continuous external EKG monitoring, 48 hours to 7 days This procedure involves recording, analyzing, and interpreting a continuous external electrocardiogram (EKG) over a period of more than 48 hours up to 7 days. |
11 | $187 | $669 |
| Cardiac catheterization | 11 | $687 | $3,030 |
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.
5.9% high complexity
38.6% medium
55.5% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$10,486
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $1,498/year across 7 years
Top 8% in TX for internal medicine
40
Companies
564
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
$10,288 (98.1%)
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$198 (1.9%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$2,674
2023
$91
2022
$274
2021
$2,001
2020
$962
2019
$2,341
2018
$2,142
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$924
Amgen Inc.
$917
Novo Nordisk Inc
$895
Endologix LLC
$725
Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
$695
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$673
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc
$631
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$533
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$395
PFIZER INC.
$385
Amarin Pharma Inc.
$384
ZOLL Services LLC (A/K/A ZOLL LifeCor Corp)
$356
Boston Scientific Corporation
$350
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
$324
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$258
BIOTRONIK INC.
$236
Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.
$216
Astellas Pharma US Inc
$198
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$180
Salix Pharmaceuticals, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC
$113
Abbott Laboratories
$108
Lilly USA, LLC
$100
Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$100
Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$96
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
$92
SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC
$91
Dexcom, Inc.
$65
Philips Electronics North America Corporation
$59
Lundbeck LLC
$58
BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION
$58
Medtronic, Inc.
$57
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$56
Esperion Therapeutics, Inc.
$31
ShockWave Medical, Inc
$29
Vifor Pharma, Inc.
$24
Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$21
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc
$18
Innovation Technologies Inc
$12
ARBOR PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
$11
Eisai Inc.
$11
Top 3 companies account for 26.1% of total payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
ACCOLADE · Azure · BREO · BRILINTA · BYDUREON · Belviq · Bridge · CAMZYOS · CARDIOMEMS · CHANTIX · CoreValve Evolut · Corlanor · Dexcom G6 Transmitter · ELIQUIS · ENDOCROSS Device · ENTRESTO · Edarbi · EverFlex · FARXIGA · FreeStyle Libre 2 · HeartMate · INVOKANA · Irrisept · JANUVIA · JARDIANCE · Kerendia · LATITUDE · LEQVIO · LOKELMA · LONHALA MAGNAIR · LifeVest · Linzess · Livalo · MICRA · MOUNJARO · Micra · Mini Trek catheters · NEXLETOL · NORTHERA · Ozempic · PRADAXA · PRALUENT · RYBELSUS · Repatha · Rybelsus · SHOCKWAVE IVL SYSTEM WITH THE SHOCKWAVE C2 CORONARY IVL CATHETER · SOLIQUA · SOLIQUA 100/33 · SYMBICORT · Saxenda · TOUJEO · TRELEGY ELLIPTA · TRULICITY · Torus Stent Graft System · Tresiba · Utibron · VERQUVO · Vascepa · Veltassa · Victoza · WATCHMAN · WATCHMAN Access System · WATCHMAN FLX · Wegovy · XARELTO · XIFAXAN · Xience Sierra Coronary Stent 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 →
Most payments (98%) are for meals and travel — low-value interactions that are common across virtually all practicing physicians. Total industry engagement is in the top 8% for internal medicine in TX.
Equivalent to $123 per 100 Medicare services performed
Geographic Context
Internal medicine physicians within 10 mi
19
Per 100K population
29.3
County median income
$51,528
Nearest hospital
NACOGDOCHES MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
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 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. Pokala is a clinical cardiology specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 4% in TX), with low-engagement industry engagement in the top 8% 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. Pokala experienced with contrast dye for imaging (iodine-based)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Pokala performed 1,980 contrast dye for imaging (iodine-based) 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. Pokala receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Pokala received a total of $10,486 from 40 companies across 564 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. Pokala's costs compare to other internal medicine physicians in Nacogdoches?
Dr. Pokala's average Medicare payment per service is $49. 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. Pokala) 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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