Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Pedro Penalo, MD
Internal Medicine · Weslaco, 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. Penalo 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. Penalo
Dr. Pedro Penalo is an internal medicine specialist in Weslaco, TX, with 19 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Penalo performed 5,221 Medicare services across 2,966 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Penalo received a total of $3,204 from 24 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 160 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. Penalo 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 6% volume in TX
$3,204 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗5,221
Medicare services
Top 6% in TX for internal medicine
2,966
Unique beneficiaries
$48
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · Not a quality rating · How to read this →
~275 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
1,222 | $55 | $110 |
| 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. |
883 | $84 | $140 |
| Blood draw (venipuncture) Insertion of a needle into a vein to collect a blood sample. |
634 | $8 | $15 |
| Advance care planning consultation, first 30 min A session focused on discussing and documenting future healthcare preferences and goals. This service covers the initial 30 minutes of the planning discussion. |
271 | $73 | $120 |
| Annual wellness visit, follow-up A follow-up annual wellness visit that includes a personalized prevention plan of service. |
249 | $124 | $150 |
| Steroid injection (triamcinolone) A 10 mg injection of triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid medication. This code specifies the drug and dosage administered. |
233 | $1 | $20 |
| 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. |
178 | $9 | $30 |
| Automated urinalysis An automated laboratory test performed on a urine sample to analyze its chemical and physical properties. The procedure uses machinery to detect various substances and cells within the urine. |
147 | $2 | $15 |
| Quadrivalent influenza vaccine, cell-culture derived A flu shot containing four strains of influenza virus, produced using cell culture technology rather than eggs. This formulation is free from preservatives and antibiotics. |
137 | $33 | $60 |
| Hemoglobin A1c test (diabetes monitoring) A blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. |
133 | $10 | $50 |
| Flu vaccine administration This procedure involves the administration of the influenza virus vaccine. It covers the process of delivering the vaccine to the patient. |
130 | $30 | $40 |
| Influenza virus detection test A laboratory test that uses an immunoassay technique to detect the presence of the influenza virus through direct visual observation. |
120 | $16 | $35 |
| Ketorolac injection, per 15 mg An injection of ketorolac tromethamine, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, administered in doses measured per 15 mg. |
102 | $0 | $20 |
| SARS-CoV-2 immunoassay test A laboratory test using immunoassay techniques to detect the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. |
98 | $35 | $75 |
| Transitional care management, high complexity Coordination of care for a patient transitioning from a short-term hospital stay or other facility to home or another care setting. This service addresses a high-complexity medical problem. |
98 | $204 | $290 |
| 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. |
97 | $10 | $60 |
| 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. |
80 | $0 | $25 |
| 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. |
54 | $125 | $200 |
| Lipid panel (cholesterol and triglycerides) A blood test that measures cholesterol and triglyceride levels. |
53 | $13 | $25 |
| Urine microalbumin test (kidney screening) A laboratory test that measures the amount of microalbumin, a small protein, in a urine sample. This test is used to detect early signs of kidney damage. |
34 | $6 | $20 |
| Home visit, established patient, low complexity A physician visits an existing patient at their residence to provide care involving a low level of medical decision making. The visit lasts at least 30 minutes. |
30 | $32 | $110 |
| 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. |
25 | $38 | $130 |
| Strep A rapid test A rapid test to detect Group A Streptococcus bacteria using an immunoassay method with direct visual observation. |
24 | $16 | $25 |
| Psychological test evaluation, first hour A healthcare professional evaluates the results of psychological testing during an initial one-hour session. |
23 | $71 | $125 |
| Chronic care management, first 20 min/month This service covers the first 20 minutes of clinical staff time directed by a healthcare professional each calendar month to manage chronic conditions. |
21 | $41 | $70 |
| Adm sarscv2 bvl 50mcg/.5ml a | 19 | $39 | $40 |
| Ear wax removal A procedure to remove impacted ear wax from the ear canal. |
19 | $31 | $65 |
| SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, 50 mcg/0.5 mL Administration of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine containing 50 micrograms of antigen in a 0.5 milliliter dose. |
19 | $0 | $45 |
| Inhalation treatment for airway obstruction or sputum production A treatment involving the inhalation of medication to help clear airway obstructions or reduce sputum production. |
18 | $6 | $40 |
| 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. |
17 | $56 | $150 |
| Spirometry test before and after medication A test that measures the amount of air you can exhale and the speed of your breathing before and after taking a medication. |
15 | $23 | $95 |
| Psychotherapy and evaluation, 30 minutes A combined session involving psychotherapy and an evaluation and management visit lasting 30 minutes. |
13 | $41 | $80 |
| 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. |
13 | $74 | $180 |
| Pneumonia vaccine administration This procedure involves the injection of a vaccine to protect against pneumococcal disease. It is administered by a healthcare provider. |
12 | $29 | $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 2024 ↗$3,204
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $458/year across 7 years
Top 23% in TX for internal medicine
24
Companies
160
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
$2,942 (91.8%)
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$262 (8.2%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$336
2023
$519
2022
$338
2021
$462
2020
$192
2019
$697
2018
$657
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Novo Nordisk Inc
$462
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc
$394
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$345
Lilly USA, LLC
$306
Medtronic USA, Inc.
$296
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$258
Astellas Pharma US Inc
$245
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$161
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$69
SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC
$69
Amarin Pharma Inc.
$66
Abbott Laboratories
$62
Amgen Inc.
$59
PFIZER INC.
$59
Salix Pharmaceuticals, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC
$57
Allergan, Inc.
$50
Radius Health, Inc.
$47
Exact Sciences Corporation
$43
Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$36
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
$34
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$26
AbbVie Inc.
$22
Averitas Pharma Inc.
$19
Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$16
Top 3 companies account for 37.5% of total payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
AREXVY · Aimovig · BREO · BYDUREON · COLOGUARD · Cologuard Collection Kit · EMGALITY · EUCRISA · FARXIGA · FREESTYLE LIBRE 3 · FUSION · INVOKANA · JANUVIA · JARDIANCE · Kerendia · MOUNJARO · MYRBETRIQ · NUVENT · NUZYRA · Ozempic · PREMARIN · QUTENZA · RYBELSUS · Repatha · Rybelsus · SHINGRIX · SOLIQUA · SOLIQUA 100/33 · STEGLATRO · TOUJEO · TRELEGY ELLIPTA · TRULICITY · Tresiba · Tymlos · UBRELVY · VRAYLAR · Vascepa · Victoza · XARELTO · XIFAXAN
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 (92%) are for meals and travel — low-value interactions that are common across virtually all practicing physicians.
Equivalent to $61 per 100 Medicare services performed
Geographic Context
Internal medicine physicians within 10 mi
235
Per 100K population
26.7
County median income
$52,281
Nearest hospital
KNAPP 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 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. Penalo is a clinical cardiology specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 6% in TX), 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. Penalo experienced with office visit, established patient (20-29 min)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Penalo performed 1,222 office visit, established patient (20-29 min) 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. Penalo receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Penalo received a total of $3,204 from 24 companies across 160 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. Penalo's costs compare to other internal medicine physicians in Weslaco?
Dr. Penalo's average Medicare payment per service is $48. 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. Penalo) 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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