DR. GEORGE W BALFOUR M.D.
NPI 1053314716
Orthopaedic Surgery - Hand Surgery in Van Nuys, CA

Medicare Participation & PECOS Enrollment Status

George Balfour is registered with Medicare and accepts claims assignment, this means the provider accepts the approved amount for the cost of rendered services as full payment. Participating providers may not charge beneficiaries more than the approved amount for their services. Please keep in mind that beneficiaries still have to pay a coinsurance or copayment amount for a visit or service.

George Balfour is enrolled in PECOS and is eligible to order or refer health care services for Medicare patients. The provider is eligible to order or refer: Part B Clinical Laboratory and Imaging, Durable Medical Equipment (DME), a Home Health Agency (HHA) and Power Mobility Devices.

What is PECOS?
PECOS is the online Medicare enrollment management system or Provider, Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System. The PECOS system is a database of providers who have registered with CMS as providers or suppliers. PECOS is the primary source of information about verified Medicare professionals. Providers that want to participate in this program need to enroll in PECOS with their NPI number to avoid denied claims.

• Is the provider registered in PECOS? Yes

• PECOS PAC ID: 9537291117

  What is the PECOS Associate Control ID?
  A PAC ID is a unique 10-digit number assigned to an individual or organization healthcare provider in PECOS. The PAC ID is used to link together all the provider information, like tax identification numbers and organizational names. A PAC ID can be connected to multiple Enrollment IDs if an individual or organization has enrolled in PECOS more than once.

• PECOS Enrollment ID: I20100716000622

  What is the Provider Enrollment ID?
  The Enrollment ID is a unique alphanumeric 15-digit code assigned to each new provider's PECOS enrollment application. The Enrollment ID is used to link together all the provider enrollment information like enrollment type, state, provider specialty, and reassignment of benefits.

• Accepts Medicare Assignment? Yes

  What does it mean "accepts medicare assignment"?
  When a provider accepts Medicare assignment, the provider agrees to be paid directly by Medicare and to accept the payment amount approved by Medicare. Additionally, the provider agrees to not bill patients for more than the Medicare deductible and coinsurance amounts.
  A provider who doesn't accept assignment may charge you up to 15% over the Medicare-approved amount. This is known as the limiting charge. You may have to pay this amount, or it may be covered by another insurer.

• Eligible to Order or Refer Part B Clinical Laboratory and Imaging: Yes

• Eligible to Order or Refer Durable Medical Equipment (DMEPOS): Yes

• Eligible to Order or Refer a Home Health Agency (HHA): Yes

• Eligible to Order or Refer Power Mobility Devices: Yes

Areas of Expertise

The following services and procedures, recently provided to Medicare patients, illustrate the range of care this provider offers. This list reflects the variety of services available to all patients visiting the practice and is based on 2022 Medicare dataset. In general, the more frequently a provider treats specific conditions or performs particular procedures, the more experienced they become in addressing similar patient needs. The provider has delivered many of the services listed below to Medicare patients. Please note that this list does not include services provided to patients who are not covered by Medicare.

Application of ultrasound, each 15 minutes

Ultrasound is a medical procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to capture live images from inside your body. It's a painless process typically lasting 15 minutes per session. This method aids in diagnosing conditions and monitoring health without any radiation exposure.

This service was performed 513 times for 61 patients

Aspiration and/or injection of fluid from small joint using ultrasound guidance

This procedure involves using ultrasound to accurately locate a small joint. A needle is then carefully inserted to remove fluid (aspiration) or inject medication. This can help diagnose or treat joint issues. It's generally safe and minimally invasive.

This service was performed 31 times for 27 patients

Complete ultrasound scan of joint

A complete ultrasound scan of a joint is a non-invasive procedure using sound waves to create images of your joint. It helps identify problems like inflammation, injury, or disease. It's painless, safe, and doesn't involve radiation.

This service was performed 26 times for 17 patients

Electrical stimulation (unattended), to one or more areas for indication(s) other than wound care, as part of a therapy plan of care

Electrical stimulation is a therapy method where mild electrical pulses are used to treat pain or stimulate muscles in certain areas. It's not for wound care but is part of a broader therapy plan. It's safe, non-invasive, and can help improve overall health.

This service was performed 505 times for 60 patients

Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 20-29 minutes

This is a routine visit for patients who have already been seen by the healthcare provider. During this approximately 20-29 minute appointment, your health status will be evaluated and any necessary treatments or tests will be discussed. It's a chance to address any health concerns you may have.

This service was performed 40 times for 29 patients

Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes

This is a routine check-up for patients who have previously visited our clinic. It involves a comprehensive review of your health and any ongoing treatments. The consultation lasts between 30-39 minutes, allowing enough time to discuss any concerns.

This service was performed 47 times for 34 patients

Evaluation for occupational therapy, typically 1 hour

An evaluation for occupational therapy is a process that assesses your ability to perform daily life tasks. This one-hour session looks at your physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities. It helps tailor a personalized therapy plan to improve your functional skills.

This service was performed 60 times for 57 patients

Injection, betamethasone acetate 3 mg and betamethasone sodium phosphate 3 mg

This injection contains two medications, betamethasone acetate and betamethasone sodium phosphate. It is used to reduce inflammation and pain. It's given by a healthcare professional, often directly into the area causing discomfort.

This service was performed 50 times for 38 patients

New patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-44 minutes

This service involves an initial office or outpatient visit for a new patient. The healthcare professional will spend 30-44 minutes understanding your health history, current issues, and discussing possible treatment plans. It's a comprehensive evaluation to start your healthcare journey.

This service was performed 59 times for 59 patients

Therapy procedure using exercise to develop strength, endurance, range of motion, and flexibility, each 15 minutes

This therapy involves exercises to boost strength, endurance, flexibility, and range of motion. Each session lasts 15 minutes. The goal is to improve physical function and overall health. It's a safe, beneficial method for enhancing well-being and fitness.

This service was performed 618 times for 63 patients

Therapy procedure using functional activities

A therapy procedure using functional activities encourages you to use your own body movements in day-to-day tasks to aid recovery. It aims to improve your mobility, strength, and overall health by incorporating therapeutic exercises into your routine.

This service was performed 467 times for 65 patients

Therapy procedure using manual technique, each 15 minutes

This therapy involves using hands-on techniques to help improve your body's movement and function. These techniques may include stretching, resistance exercises, or gentle pressure. Each session lasts 15 minutes and aims to relieve pain, promote healing, and improve your overall health.

This service was performed 152 times for 19 patients

X-ray of hand, minimum of 3 views

An X-ray of the hand, minimum of 3 views, is a non-invasive imaging test. It uses a small amount of radiation to produce images of the bones in your hand from different angles. This helps in diagnosing fractures, infections, arthritis, or other abnormalities. It's quick and painless.

This service was performed 38 times for 26 patients

X-ray of wrist, minimum of 3 views

An X-ray of the wrist, minimum of 3 views, is a diagnostic procedure that uses radiation to create images of your wrist from different angles. This helps detect fractures, infections, or other abnormalities for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

This service was performed 34 times for 20 patients

Physician Visit Costs

The typical physician office visit costs for Medicare beneficiaries in this area are: $24.09 for a new patient copayment and $19.49 for an established patient copayment.

The pricing information below displays the copayment minimum, maximum and average amount that patients under Medicare are charged when visiting this provider as a new or established patient. Please keep in mind that these prices are just for reference purposes, and the actual prices charged by the provider might be different.

For patients covered under private health plans the prices below are also useful as healthcare pricing for private insurance is usually established as a function of Medicare prices. Private insurance covered patients should check their individual plans to determine the exact pricing.

The prices below reflect the costs for new and established patients in the 91405 ZIP code area.

* The physician office visit costs information is generated by statistical analysis of similar providers in the same geographical area. The pricing information above IS NOT the amount charged by this provider.

Quality Reporting

The provider participated in CMS Quality Payment Program. The Quality Payment Program aims to improve population health, reduce costs and improve the care received by Medicare beneficiaries. The following quality measures meet Medicare's statistical reporting standards. Not all providers report the same information, because not all providers give the same services to patients. The quality information is just a snapshot of some the care providers give to their patients. Reporting more or less information is not a reflection of quality.

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