Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Barbara Blankenship, M.D.
Radiation Oncology · Walla Walla, WA
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. Blankenship 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. Blankenship
Dr. Barbara Blankenship is a radiation oncology specialist in Walla Walla, WA, with 20 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Blankenship performed 26,257 Medicare services across 4,773 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Blankenship received a total of $334 from 3 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 6 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. Blankenship is Very High — reflecting how much public federal data is available about this provider. Patients are encouraged to use this data as one of several factors when choosing a healthcare provider.
✓ 20 years in practice
▲ Top 3% volume in WA
$334 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗26,257
Medicare services
Top 3% in WA for radiation oncology
4,773
Unique beneficiaries
$14
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~1,313 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. |
21,225 | $0 | $0 |
| Screening mammography An X-ray of the breast used to detect breast cancer in women who have no signs or symptoms of the disease. |
1,060 | $131 | $335 |
| 3D screening mammography (tomosynthesis) A screening imaging test of the breast using 3D technology to detect potential abnormalities. |
1,054 | $53 | $152 |
| 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. |
624 | $39 | $296 |
| Gadoteridol injection (ProHance) Injection of gadoteridol, a contrast agent used to enhance imaging results. |
335 | $1 | $6 |
| 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. |
297 | $20 | $85 |
| 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. |
161 | $81 | $289 |
| Limited ultrasound of 1 breast A focused ultrasound examination of a single breast to evaluate specific areas of concern. |
105 | $59 | $221 |
| CT scan of chest with contrast A computed tomography scan of the chest using a contrast dye to enhance the visibility of internal structures. |
71 | $118 | $910 |
| 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. |
69 | $22 | $105 |
| 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. |
69 | $25 | $90 |
| 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. |
68 | $247 | $854 |
| 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. |
68 | $148 | $667 |
| 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. |
64 | $151 | $965 |
| Complete ultrasound of abdomen A diagnostic imaging test that uses sound waves to create detailed pictures of the organs and structures within the abdomen. |
62 | $89 | $373 |
| Diagnostic mammography of 1 breast An X-ray examination of one breast to evaluate specific breast symptoms or abnormalities. |
61 | $84 | $330 |
| Digital breast tomosynthesis (3D mammogram) A specialized imaging test that creates three-dimensional pictures of the breast tissue to help detect abnormalities. |
61 | $38 | $309 |
| Knee X-ray, 4 or more views An imaging test using X-rays to create multiple pictures of the knee joint from different angles. |
58 | $30 | $116 |
| Complete pelvic ultrasound An imaging test using sound waves to create pictures of the organs and structures within the pelvis. |
53 | $81 | $278 |
| Transvaginal pelvic ultrasound An ultrasound exam using a probe inserted into the vagina to image the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, and surrounding pelvic structures. |
47 | $91 | $308 |
| Complete ultrasound of retroperitoneum An ultrasound examination of the structures located behind the abdominal cavity. |
43 | $81 | $330 |
| 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. |
39 | $106 | $763 |
| CT scan of face, without contrast A computed tomography scan that creates detailed images of the facial structures. This procedure is performed without the use of intravenous contrast dye. |
36 | $97 | $688 |
| Abdominal X-ray, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the abdomen using two different angles to visualize internal structures. |
36 | $26 | $97 |
| 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. |
35 | $26 | $101 |
| MRI of leg joint, without contrast A magnetic resonance imaging scan of a joint in the leg performed without the use of contrast dye. |
34 | $170 | $1,355 |
| 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. |
28 | $149 | $541 |
| 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. |
27 | $27 | $97 |
| CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis using contrast dye before and after administration to visualize internal structures. |
27 | $271 | $1,094 |
| 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. |
24 | $30 | $105 |
| MRI scan of brain, without contrast A magnetic resonance imaging test of the brain that does not use contrast dye. This procedure creates detailed images of the brain's structure using magnetic fields and radio waves. |
21 | $161 | $1,450 |
| 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. |
21 | $31 | $175 |
| 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. |
21 | $35 | $224 |
| CT scan of heart for calcium evaluation A CT scan of the heart used to evaluate calcium levels in the blood vessels. |
20 | $79 | $270 |
| Diagnostic mammography of both breasts | 18 | $120 | $415 |
| 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. |
17 | $45 | $260 |
| 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. |
17 | $21 | $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. |
17 | $22 | $90 |
| 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. |
15 | $29 | $99 |
| 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. |
14 | $127 | $975 |
| 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. |
14 | $72 | $250 |
| Breast biopsy with ultrasound-guided localization device placement This procedure involves taking a tissue sample from a breast growth and placing a marker device to locate it, guided by ultrasound imaging. |
13 | $404 | $1,620 |
| CT scan of neck soft tissue with contrast A computed tomography scan that uses contrast dye to create detailed images of the soft tissues in the neck. |
13 | $145 | $817 |
| 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. |
13 | $191 | $1,510 |
| Ultrasound of scrotum An imaging test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the scrotum and its contents. It helps evaluate the testicles and surrounding structures. |
13 | $78 | $279 |
| 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. |
12 | $114 | $688 |
| Radiologist review of hip joint image A radiologist examines and interprets an image of the hip joint to assess its condition. |
12 | $103 | $336 |
| 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. |
12 | $89 | $450 |
| Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy, first lesion A biopsy procedure where a thin needle is used to collect tissue samples from a growth, guided by ultrasound imaging. This code applies to the first lesion or mass sampled during the session. |
11 | $103 | $346 |
| CT scan of head/brain, without contrast A CT scan uses X-rays to create detailed images of the head or brain without the use of contrast dye. |
11 | $89 | $585 |
| X-ray of middle spine, 3 views An X-ray imaging test that captures three different views of the middle section of the spine to evaluate its structure. |
11 | $26 | $110 |
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 ↗$334
Total received (2019-2024)
Avg $111/year across 3 years
Top 31% in WA for radiation oncology
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
3
Companies
6
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
$334 (100.0%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$16
2021
$137
2019
$182
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Philips North America LLC
$16
Top 3 companies account for 100.0% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2019-2024) ›
Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
$301
GE HEALTHCARE
$17
Philips North America LLC
$16
Top 3 companies account for 100.0% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
(CK4) MCOT · Mammomat Revelation
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.
Geographic Context
Radiation oncologists within 10 mi
12
Per 100K population
19.3
County median income
$72,212
Nearest hospital
PROVIDENCE ST MARY 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 reflects how much public data is available about a provider. How we calculate this →
Summary
Dr. Blankenship is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 3% in WA), with low-engagement industry engagement, with 20 years of NPI registration.
This summary is auto-generated from federal data, describing data availability and patterns. Read our methodology →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dr. Blankenship experienced with contrast dye for imaging (iodine-based)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Blankenship performed 21,225 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. Blankenship receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Blankenship received a total of $334 from 3 companies across 6 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. Blankenship's costs compare to other radiation oncologists in Walla Walla?
Dr. Blankenship's average Medicare payment per service is $14. 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. Blankenship) 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. Data Coverage reflects 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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