MR. CHRISTOPHER JAMES SCHALLER PA-C
NPI 1285060426
Physician Assistant in Tacoma, WA

Medicare Participation & PECOS Enrollment Status

Christopher Schaller 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 Schaller 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: 8527294909

  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: I20131112001896

  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.

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 12 times for 12 patients

Aspiration of fluid from chest cavity using imaging guidance

This procedure, known as a thoracentesis, involves removing fluid from the space between the lungs and chest wall, called the pleural space. It's performed under imaging guidance to ensure precision. It can help diagnose conditions or relieve symptoms like shortness of breath.

This service was performed 98 times for 87 patients

Drainage of fluid from abdominal cavity using imaging guidance

This procedure involves removing excess fluid from your abdominal cavity, which can relieve discomfort. A specialist uses imaging technology to guide a thin needle into the right spot. The fluid is then drained out safely.

This service was performed 82 times for 40 patients

Fine needle aspiration biopsy using ultrasound guidance, first growth

Fine needle aspiration biopsy with ultrasound guidance is a procedure where a thin needle is inserted into a growth to extract a small sample. Ultrasound helps accurately locate the growth. This sample is then analyzed to determine the nature of the growth.

This service was performed 12 times for 12 patients

Fluoroscopic guidance for insertion or removal of central vein access device

Fluoroscopic guidance for central vein access device insertion or removal is a procedure where a special X-ray, called a fluoroscope, is used to help accurately place or remove a device in a central vein. This device aids in delivering medications or collecting blood samples.

This service was performed 69 times for 66 patients

Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement

Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement is a medical procedure that uses a special X-ray technology to help accurately place a needle in the body. It's often used in biopsies, injections or other treatments to ensure precision and safety.

This service was performed 15 times for 15 patients

Follow-up hospital inpatient care per day, typically 25 minutes

Follow-up hospital inpatient care involves daily check-ups while you're admitted in the hospital. Typically, a healthcare provider spends about 25 minutes each day reviewing your condition, adjusting treatment if needed, and answering any questions you might have.

This service was performed 25 times for 20 patients

Insertion of central venous tube with port (5 years or older)

A central venous tube with port is a small, flexible tube inserted into a large vein, usually in the chest. It allows for easy administration of medication, fluids, or blood products over a long period. A port is attached under the skin for easy access. It's safe for individuals aged 5 and above.

This service was performed 23 times for 23 patients

Insertion of non-tunneled central venous tube for infusion (5 years or older)

This procedure involves placing a thin tube into a large vein, usually in the neck or chest, to administer medication or fluids. It's done under local anesthesia to minimize discomfort. It's a standard, safe procedure for individuals aged 5 and above.

This service was performed 24 times for 22 patients

Insertion of tunneled central venous tube for infusion (5 years or older)

The insertion of a tunneled central venous tube is a procedure where a thin, flexible tube is placed into a large vein, usually in the neck or chest. This tube allows healthcare providers to give medications, fluids, or nutrients directly into your bloodstream over a longer period.

This service was performed 26 times for 26 patients

Removal of central venous tube with port or pump

The removal of a central venous tube with port or pump is a procedure that eliminates a device implanted under your skin. This device helped deliver medication or nutrients directly into a large vein near your heart. Its removal involves a minor surgical procedure performed under local anesthesia.

This service was performed 12 times for 12 patients

Removal of spinal fluid with lower back spinal tap for diagnostic test using imaging guidance

A lower back spinal tap, guided by imaging, is a procedure to collect spinal fluid for testing. A needle is carefully inserted into the lower back to draw out fluid. This can help diagnose various conditions. It's performed under local anesthesia to minimize discomfort.

This service was performed 12 times for 12 patients

Ultrasonic guidance for blood vessel access

Ultrasonic guidance for blood vessel access is a medical procedure where sound waves are used to create images of your blood vessels. This helps doctors to accurately locate and access the vessels for treatments or tests, ensuring safety and precision.

This service was performed 73 times for 70 patients

Use of a drug to induce depression of consciousness by physician performing a procedure (5 years or older), initial 15 minutes

This procedure involves a doctor administering a medication to reduce your consciousness during a procedure. This helps in managing discomfort and anxiety. The initial application lasts for 15 minutes and is for individuals aged 5 years or older.

This service was performed 48 times for 47 patients

Physician Visit Costs

The typical physician office visit costs for Medicare beneficiaries in this area are: $22.07 for a new patient copayment and $17.82 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 98402 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.

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 Schaller is affiliated with the following medical facilities:

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Frequently Asked Questions