Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Luis Zuniga-Montes, M.D.
Rheumatology · San Antonio, 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. Zuniga-Montes 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. Zuniga-Montes
Dr. Luis Zuniga-Montes is a rheumatology specialist in San Antonio, TX, with 19 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Zuniga-Montes performed 11,783 Medicare services across 3,933 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Zuniga-Montes received a total of $11,112 from 36 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 858 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in rheumatology. 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. Zuniga-Montes 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 38% volume in TX
$11,112 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗11,783
Medicare services
Top 38% in TX for rheumatology
3,933
Unique beneficiaries
$23
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · Not a quality rating · How to read this →
~620 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denosumab injection (Prolia/Xgeva) | 3,062 | $18 | $29 |
| Autoimmune disorder antibody test A laboratory test that measures antibodies in the blood to help assess for autoimmune disorders. |
1,632 | $17 | $49 |
| 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. |
905 | $90 | $210 |
| Blood draw (venipuncture) Insertion of a needle into a vein to collect a blood sample. |
727 | $6 | $6 |
| 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. |
670 | $4 | $10 |
| Comprehensive metabolic blood panel A blood test that measures a group of chemicals, including glucose, electrolytes, and kidney and liver function markers. |
668 | $10 | $29 |
| 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. |
667 | $5 | $14 |
| 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. |
653 | $8 | $21 |
| Complement and antigen measurement A laboratory test to measure levels of complement proteins and antigens in the blood. |
230 | $12 | $33 |
| Immunoassay substance analysis, multiple step method A laboratory test that uses an immunoassay technique to analyze a substance. The process involves multiple steps to detect or measure the target material. |
220 | $11 | $40 |
| 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. |
204 | $13 | $38 |
| X-ray of hand, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the hand using two different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
179 | $23 | $53 |
| Vitamin D level test A blood test to measure the amount of Vitamin D-3 in your body. |
165 | $29 | $74 |
| Non-hormonal chemotherapy injection This procedure involves administering non-hormonal anti-neoplastic chemotherapy medication via injection into the skin or muscle tissue. |
141 | $56 | $136 |
| 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. |
129 | $79 | $178 |
| Intravenous injection of additional new drug or substance Administration of an additional new medication or substance directly into a vein. |
111 | $12 | $42 |
| Rheumatoid factor level | 110 | $6 | $16 |
| Autoimmune disorder screening test A laboratory test used to screen for the presence of autoimmune disorders. |
109 | $12 | $33 |
| Manual urinalysis with microscopic examination A urine test performed manually without automated equipment. The sample is examined under a microscope to check for abnormalities. |
108 | $4 | $9 |
| Rheumatoid arthritis antibody test A blood test to measure antibodies used in assessing rheumatoid arthritis. |
107 | $13 | $36 |
| Intravenous chemotherapy infusion, 1 hour or less Administration of chemotherapy medication directly into a vein. The procedure takes one hour or less to complete. |
102 | $97 | $246 |
| 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. |
93 | $37 | $92 |
| 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. |
81 | $22 | $50 |
| Methylprednisolone acetate injection, 80 mg An injection of 80 mg of methylprednisolone acetate, a corticosteroid medication. |
74 | $9 | $26 |
| 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. |
72 | $26 | $59 |
| Autoimmune disorder antibody titer test A blood test that measures the level of specific antibodies to help assess autoimmune disorders. |
69 | $11 | $28 |
| Cardiac enzyme level (CK-MB) test A blood test that measures the total level of creatine kinase, specifically the cardiac enzyme fraction, to help evaluate heart muscle damage. |
67 | $6 | $18 |
| 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. |
64 | $118 | $313 |
| Diphenhydramine injection, up to 50 mg An injection of diphenhydramine hydrochloride, an antihistamine medication, administered in a dose of up to 50 milligrams. |
61 | $1 | $20 |
| Viscosupplementation injection for joint An injection of hyaluronic acid or a derivative into a joint to provide lubrication and cushioning. |
44 | $58 | $183 |
| Flu vaccine administration This procedure involves the administration of the influenza virus vaccine. It covers the process of delivering the vaccine to the patient. |
39 | $30 | $40 |
| Uric acid level test A blood test that measures the level of uric acid in your body. Uric acid is a waste product formed when the body breaks down purines. |
37 | $4 | $12 |
| Tuberculosis blood test (gamma interferon) A blood test that measures the immune system's response to tuberculosis bacteria using gamma interferon levels. |
36 | $61 | $153 |
| Flu vaccine, quadrivalent A flu shot containing four strains of the influenza virus to help prevent seasonal influenza infection. |
34 | $76 | $100 |
| 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. |
33 | $55 | $142 |
| 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. |
27 | $11 | $30 |
| Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test A blood test that measures the level of thyroid stimulating hormone to evaluate thyroid function. |
21 | $16 | $46 |
| Drug screening test A laboratory test that uses a chemistry analyzer to detect the presence of drugs in a sample. |
19 | $58 | $122 |
| Parathyroid hormone level test A blood test that measures the amount of parathyroid hormone in your body. This hormone helps regulate calcium levels in the blood and bones. |
13 | $40 | $113 |
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.
0.9% high complexity
31.0% medium
68.2% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$11,112
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $1,587/year across 7 years
Top 32% in TX for rheumatology
36
Companies
858
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
$11,112 (100.0%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$1,514
2023
$1,088
2022
$1,338
2021
$1,431
2020
$1,322
2019
$2,467
2018
$1,953
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Amgen Inc.
$1,502
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$1,230
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$930
Horizon Therapeutics plc
$905
AbbVie Inc.
$659
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$638
PFIZER INC.
$623
UCB, Inc.
$546
ABBVIE INC.
$509
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$494
AbbVie, Inc.
$479
GENZYME CORPORATION
$373
Genentech USA, Inc.
$364
Lilly USA, LLC
$364
Horizon Pharma plc
$354
Aurinia Pharma U.S., Inc.
$170
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$150
Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$135
Nevro Corp.
$100
Radius Health, Inc.
$89
SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC
$83
Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
$51
Mallinckrodt LLC
$49
Antares Pharma, Inc.
$44
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$43
Octapharma USA, Inc.
$35
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.
$30
SOBI, INC
$29
Sobi, Inc
$26
Bioventus LLC
$23
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$18
Abbott Laboratories
$17
ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$14
Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.
$13
West-Ward Pharmaceuticals
$12
MEDAC PHARMA, INC.
$11
Top 3 companies account for 33.0% of total payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
ACTHAR · AVSOLA · Actemra · Adempas · Arcalyst · BENLYSTA · Bimzelx · COSENTYX · Cimzia · Crysvita · EUFLEXXA · EVENITY · Enbrel · FORTEO · GELSYN 3 · HUMIRA · Humira · IDACIO · ILARIS · INFLECTRA · KEVZARA · KINERET · KRYSTEXXA · Kineret · LUPKYNIS · Mitigare · NO_PRODUCT · OCTAGAM IMMUNE GLOBULIN (HUMAN) · OFEV · ORENCIA · Omnia · Otrexup · PURIFIED CORTROPHIN GEL · Proclaim Family of SCS IPGs · Prolia · RAYOS · REMICADE · RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS DISEASE · RINVOQ · Rasuvo · Rinvoq · Rituxan · SAPHNELO · SIMPONI ARIA · SKYRIZI · STELARA · SYNVISC-ONE · Senza · Senza Spinal Cord Stimulation System · TALTZ · TAVNEOS · TREMFYA · Tymlos · 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 →
Most payments (100%) are for meals and travel — low-value interactions that are common across virtually all practicing physicians.
Equivalent to $94 per 100 Medicare services performed
Geographic Context
Rheumatologists within 10 mi
50
Per 100K population
2.5
County median income
$70,571
Nearest hospital
UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM
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. Zuniga-Montes is a mixed practice specialist, with moderate Medicare volume, with low-engagement industry engagement, 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. Zuniga-Montes experienced with denosumab injection (prolia/xgeva)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Zuniga-Montes performed 3,062 denosumab injection (prolia/xgeva) 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. Zuniga-Montes receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Zuniga-Montes received a total of $11,112 from 36 companies across 858 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. Zuniga-Montes's costs compare to other rheumatologists in San Antonio?
Dr. Zuniga-Montes's average Medicare payment per service is $23. 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. Zuniga-Montes) 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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