DR. CHRISTOPHER LEE FORTHMAN M.D.
NPI 1124059779
Orthopaedic Surgery - Hand Surgery in Lutherville, MD

Medicare Participation & PECOS Enrollment Status

Christopher Forthman 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.

Christopher Forthman 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: 6901818111

  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: I20060706000168

  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

Provider Referred Orders for Durable Medical Equipment, Devices & Supplies

The following list reflects the services, supplies or durable medical equipment ordered by this provider to a DME supplier on behalf of patients. The information below is derived from Medicare claims data and reflects the BETOS category, HCPCS code information and the number times each service was submitted under the Medicare fee-for-service program.

Orthotic Devices

• DME-Orthotic Devices (DF000N)

  Wrist hand finger orthosis, rigid without joints, may include soft interface material; straps, custom fabricated, includes fitting and adjustment (HCPCS:L3808)

  2 DME suppliers used 25 Medicare Claims 25 Services Paid

• DME-Orthotic Devices (DF000N)

  Wrist hand orthosis, without joints, may include soft interface, straps, custom fabricated, includes fitting and adjustment (HCPCS:L3906)

  2 DME suppliers used 17 Medicare Claims 17 Services Paid

• DME-Orthotic Devices (DF000N)

  Hand finger orthosis, without joints, may include soft interface, straps, custom fabricated, includes fitting and adjustment (HCPCS:L3913)

  2 DME suppliers used 15 Medicare Claims 15 Services Paid

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.

Anchoring of biceps tendon

Anchoring of the biceps tendon is a surgical procedure aimed at restoring stability to your arm. The surgeon secures your biceps tendon to the bone using special anchors, which helps to reduce pain and improve arm function.

This service was performed 19 times for 19 patients

Aspiration and/or injection of fluid from large joint

This procedure involves using a needle to remove (aspiration) or introduce (injection) fluid into a large joint like the knee or hip. It can help diagnose conditions, relieve discomfort, or deliver medication directly to the joint.

This service was performed 231 times for 195 patients

Aspiration and/or injection of fluid from medium joint

This procedure involves a needle being inserted into a medium-sized joint, such as a knee or shoulder, to remove (aspirate) excess fluid. Sometimes, medication may also be injected into the joint to reduce inflammation and pain.

This service was performed 144 times for 119 patients

Aspiration and/or injection of fluid from small joint

This procedure involves inserting a thin needle into a small joint to remove (aspirate) or inject fluid. It can help diagnose conditions, relieve discomfort, or administer medication directly into the joint. It's generally safe with minimal discomfort.

This service was performed 30 times for 28 patients

Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 10-19 minutes

This is a routine check-up for patients who have previously seen the doctor. During this 10-19 minute visit, the doctor will review your health status, discuss any concerns, and manage ongoing treatments or medications. It's a chance to ensure your health is on track.

This service was performed 15 times for 15 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 514 times for 416 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 336 times for 308 patients

Incision of tendon covering of finger

This procedure involves making a small cut into the protective sheath around a finger tendon. It's typically done to relieve pressure or inflammation, improve finger movement, or treat conditions like trigger finger. It's a safe, often outpatient procedure.

This service was performed 96 times for 76 patients

Injection into tendon at attachment to bone or muscle

This procedure involves injecting medicine into a tendon where it attaches to bone or muscle. It's done to alleviate pain or inflammation. The injection may contain a local anesthetic or a corticosteroid to reduce swelling. It's a common treatment for various orthopedic conditions.

This service was performed 12 times for 12 patients

Injection into tendon or ligament

An injection into a tendon or ligament involves placing medication directly into these areas to help reduce inflammation and pain. It's often used for conditions like arthritis or tendonitis. The procedure is quick and usually involves a local anesthetic.

This service was performed 213 times for 164 patients

Injection, triamcinolone acetonide, not otherwise specified, 10 mg

Triamcinolone acetonide is a medication used to reduce inflammation in the body. It's given as a 10 mg injection for conditions like allergies, arthritis, or skin problems. The injection helps to decrease swelling, redness, and itching.

This service was performed 1,884 times for 474 patients

Melanoma (skin cancer) excision

Melanoma excision is a procedure where a surgeon removes melanoma, a type of skin cancer, and some surrounding healthy tissue. Local anesthesia is applied to numb the area. The goal is to completely remove the cancer and prevent its spread. Healing time varies.

This service was performed for 1-10 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 241 times for 241 patients

New patient office or other outpatient visit, 45-59 minutes

This is a first-time office or outpatient visit lasting between 45-59 minutes. The healthcare provider evaluates your health, discusses your medical history, and may suggest further tests or treatments. It's an opportunity to ask questions and understand your health better.

This service was performed 208 times for 208 patients

Prosthetic repair of shoulder joint, total shoulder

Total shoulder prosthetic repair is a surgical procedure to replace a damaged shoulder joint with artificial components. It aims to relieve pain and restore mobility. The procedure involves replacing the ball (humeral head) and socket (glenoid) of the shoulder joint.

This service was performed 56 times for 54 patients

Release and/or relocation of elbow nerve

This procedure involves adjusting the position of a nerve in your elbow to alleviate discomfort or improve function. The nerve is carefully moved from its original location and placed in a less strained position. This can help reduce pain and improve arm movement.

This service was performed 64 times for 44 patients

Release and/or relocation of hand nerve

This procedure involves adjusting or moving a nerve in your hand to alleviate discomfort or improve function. The nerve may be compressed, causing pain or numbness. By releasing or relocating the nerve, these symptoms can be reduced, enhancing hand usage.

This service was performed 14 times for 12 patients

Release of tendon connecting biceps muscle and shoulder using an endoscope

This procedure involves using a small camera, known as an endoscope, to view and release the tendon connecting your biceps muscle and shoulder. It can help reduce pain and improve mobility. The procedure is minimally invasive, promoting quicker recovery.

This service was performed 22 times for 22 patients

Release of wrist ligament using an endoscope

This procedure involves using a small camera, called an endoscope, to view and treat a tight wrist ligament. The endoscope is inserted through a tiny incision, reducing recovery time and scarring. It helps to relieve pain and improve wrist function.

This service was performed 156 times for 108 patients

Relocation of one muscle of shoulder or upper arm

Relocation of a shoulder or upper arm muscle is a procedure aimed at repositioning a displaced muscle. This helps improve mobility and reduce discomfort. It's performed under anesthesia and involves making an incision, moving the muscle, and then closing the wound.

This service was performed 31 times for 30 patients

Removal of bone joints between wrist and fingers

This procedure involves the surgical removal of bone joints between your wrist and fingers. It's typically done to relieve pain or restore function due to conditions like arthritis. After removal, the space may be filled with a graft or artificial joint.

This service was performed 30 times for 22 patients

Removal of deep implant from bone

This procedure involves the careful extraction of an implant deeply embedded in a bone. A specialist makes a small incision, then utilizes precise instruments to reach and safely remove the implant. The area is then closed and monitored for healing.

This service was performed 26 times for 21 patients

Removal of extensive shoulder joint tissue using an endoscope

This procedure, known as arthroscopic debridement, involves using a small camera (endoscope) to view your shoulder joint. Damaged or unwanted tissue is then carefully removed. This minimally invasive technique aims to reduce pain and improve joint mobility.

This service was performed 23 times for 23 patients

Removal of growth of muscle of hand or finger, less than 1.5 cm

This procedure involves the surgical removal of a small growth, less than 1.5 cm, in the muscle of the hand or finger. It's done to eliminate discomfort or to prevent potential health issues. The process is safe and performed under local anesthesia.

This service was performed 13 times for 12 patients

Repair of shoulder rotator cuff using an endoscope

This procedure, known as arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, helps fix tears in the shoulder's rotator cuff. An endoscope, a small camera, is used to view the shoulder inside. Using small tools, the surgeon repairs the torn tissue. This minimally invasive approach often leads to a quicker recovery.

This service was performed 19 times for 19 patients

Shaving of part of shoulder bone and repair of ligament using an endoscope

This procedure involves using a tiny camera, called an endoscope, to view and repair a damaged shoulder ligament. Simultaneously, a small portion of the shoulder bone is shaved to alleviate discomfort and improve movement. It's a minimally invasive technique that aids in a quicker recovery.

This service was performed 24 times for 24 patients

Transfer of tendon to back of hand

A transfer of tendon to the back of the hand is a surgical procedure aimed at improving hand function. It involves moving a healthy tendon from one area to another to replace a damaged or non-functioning one, helping to restore movement and strength.

This service was performed 21 times for 20 patients

Treatment of 3 or more broken lower forearm bone pieces on thumb side inside wrist joint with placement of stabilizing device

This treatment involves repairing multiple fractures in the lower forearm near the thumb side of the wrist. A device is placed to stabilize the area, promoting proper healing. This procedure helps restore function and minimize discomfort.

This service was performed 20 times for 20 patients

Upper limb (arm) arthroscopy (minimally invasive joint repair)

Upper limb arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used to examine and treat issues within your arm's joints. A small camera, called an arthroscope, is inserted through a tiny incision, providing a clear view of the joint. This method often results in less pain and faster recovery compared to open surgery.

This service was performed for 243 patients

X-ray of finger, minimum of 2 views

An X-ray of the finger involves capturing images of your finger from at least two different angles. This non-invasive procedure helps in visualizing the bones and joints, aiding in the diagnosis of fractures, infections, or other abnormalities. Minimal discomfort may be experienced.

This service was performed 32 times for 26 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 58 times for 50 patients

X-ray of shoulder, minimum of 2 views

An X-ray of the shoulder, with a minimum of 2 views, is a non-invasive imaging test. It uses a small amount of radiation to produce images of your shoulder bones. This helps in diagnosing conditions like fractures, arthritis, or other abnormalities. The procedure is quick and painless.

This service was performed 194 times for 144 patients

X-ray of wrist, 2 views

An X-ray of the wrist, 2 views, is a diagnostic procedure where two different images of your wrist are taken using a small amount of radiation. This helps identify any abnormalities or injuries such as fractures or arthritis. It's a quick, non-invasive process.

This service was performed 18 times for 18 patients

X-ray of wrist, 2 views

An X-ray of the wrist, 2 views, is a diagnostic procedure where two different images of your wrist are taken using a small amount of radiation. This helps identify any abnormalities or injuries such as fractures or arthritis. It's a quick, non-invasive process.

This service was performed 43 times for 38 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 19 times for 18 patients

Physician Visit Costs

The typical physician office visit costs for Medicare beneficiaries in this area are: $23.52 for a new patient copayment and $18.86 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 21093 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.

Overall MIPS Quality Performance

The provider participated in CMS Quality Payment Program under the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and has an overall final score of 80.17, based on four performance areas: quality, improvement activities, promoting interoperability, and cost. The purpose of this information is to help people with Medicare make informed decisions and incentivize doctors and clinicians to maximize performance.

The Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) is a way providers could use to participate in CMS Quality Payment Program (QPP). The MIPS program affects clinician reimbursement for Part B covered professional services and also rewards them for improving the quality of patient care and outcomes.

• Final Score: 80.17 out of 100

  The MIPS program evaluates providers across multiple categories with a specific weight for each category resulting a in a MIPS final score that ranges from 0 to 100 points. The MIPS Final Score determines whether providers receive a negative, neutral or positive MIPS payment adjustment.
  
  

• Quality Score: 76.69

  The Quality category assesses providers performance on clinical practices and patient outcomes under the traditional MIPS program. The quality measures help identify the quality of healthcare processes, outcomes, and patient experiences. The Quality measure category compromises 40% providers final MPIS scores.
  
  There are six collection types for MIPS quality measures: Electronic Clinical Quality Measures (eCQMs), MIPS Clinical Quality Measures (CQMs), Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR) Measures, Medicare Part B claims measures, CMS Web Interface measures and The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) for MIPS Survey.
  
  

• Promoting Interoperability Score: 100

  The Interoperability category measures the providers ability to use technology to exchange and make use of healthcare information in a way that is less burdensome and improves outcomes. The Interoperability measure category compromises 25% providers final MPIS scores.
  
  The MIPS Interoperability measure focuses on the use of certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT) to improve patient access health information, the exchange of information between clinicians and pharmacies and the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of healthcare data.

• Improvement Activities Score: 40

  The Improvement Activities performance category evaluates the providers participation in clinical activities that support the improvement of clinical practice, care delivery, and outcomes. Providers have the option to choose 2 to 4 activities from an inventory of over 100 improvement activities. Providers typically choose the activities that best fit their needs. The improvement activities measure category compromises 15% providers final MPIS scores.
  
  The Improvement measures aim to better patient engagement, patient safety and other areas of patient care. The Improvement Activities category compromises 15% of providers final MPIS scores.

• Cost Score: 53.49

  The Cost performance category asses the amount and types of services provided and how clinicians coordinate care and seek improvement of health outcomes by ensuring patients receive the appropriate services.
  
  Although providers don't determine the price of healthcare services they are important in delivering high-quality care at a reasonable cost. The Cost measures category compromises 20% of providers final MPIS scores.

• Cost Score: 53.49

  The Cost performance category asses the amount and types of services provided and how clinicians coordinate care and seek improvement of health outcomes by ensuring patients receive the appropriate services.
  
  Although providers don't determine the price of healthcare services they are important in delivering high-quality care at a reasonable cost. The Cost measures category compromises 20% of providers final MPIS scores.

Find Provider Hospital Affiliations - Privileges

Doctors and physicians must apply for hospital privileges to treat patients at hospitals. Find out if your doctor has privileges to practice at your preferred hospital by using the hospital affiliation information below based on recent medical claims.

Hospital affiliation is identified through self-reporting data, inpatient, outpatient, physician and ancillary service claims linked by the medical claims NPI number and place of service code. Additionally, to further determine provider hospital affiliation the clinician must have provided services to at least three patients on three different dates in the last 12 months. Christopher Forthman is affiliated with the following medical facilities:

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