DR. WARD VAUGHN HOUCK M.D.
NPI 1477535409
Thoracic Surgery (Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery) in Murfreesboro, TN

Q: What is Ward Houck's NPI number?

The NPI number for Ward Houck is 1477535409. It was assigned to this individual provider in the NPPES registry on November 16, 2005.

Q: What is Ward Houck's specialty?

The primary specialty registered for this NPI is Thoracic Surgery (Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery) with taxonomy code 208G00000X.

Q: When was this NPI record last updated?

The NPPES record for Ward Houck was last updated on August 28, 2018. NPI Profile syncs weekly with the NPPES registry data releases published by CMS. This NPI record was last updated 8 years ago. If this record has changed at CMS more recently, you can request an on-demand re-check against the live CMS registry, directly from this page.

Active since November 16, 2005PECOS EnrolledAccepts Medicare Assignment

1800 MEDICAL CENTER PKWY STE 440, MURFREESBORO, TN 37129(615) 867-1940(615) 867-1941 Get Directions Write a Review

NPPES record last updated: August 28, 2018. Verified against the NPPES registry weekly; last sync: October 18, 2026.

On this page

About Dr. Ward Vaughn Houck M.d. NPPES

Official registry information on file with the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System.

DR. WARD VAUGHN HOUCK M.D. (NPI 1477535409) is an individual thoracic surgery (cardiothoracic vascular surgery) provider in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, licensed in California (A80213) and active in the NPI registry since November 2005. He is enrolled in Medicare PECOS, is affiliated with Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital, and is a graduate of University Of South Carolina School Of Medicine (1994).

NPPES Registry Identity

NPI1477535409

Entity TypeIndividualMale

Primary Taxonomy208G00000X

Provider Legal NameDR. WARD VAUGHN HOUCKCredential: M.D.

Location Address1800 MEDICAL CENTER PKWY STE 440Murfreesboro, TN 37129

Mailing Address300 20th Ave N Ste 403Nashville, TN 37203-5180 · (615) 628-4728 · Fax (615) 284-7501

Phone(615) 867-1940

Fax(615) 867-1941

Sole ProprietorNo

Medical School CMSUniversity Of South Carolina School Of MedicineGraduated 1994

Enumeration DateNovember 16, 2005

Last NPPES UpdateAugust 28, 2018

✔ NPI 1477535409 is a valid, active identifier and passes the ISO check-digit test.

Specialties & Licenses

★ Primary SpecialtyThoracic Surgery (Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery)Allopathic & Osteopathic Physicians

Taxonomy Code208G00000X

License✔ Licensed in CA · A80213

Definition

A thoracic surgeon provides the operative, perioperative and critical care of patients with pathologic conditions within the chest. Included is the surgical care of coronary artery disease, cancers of the lung, esophagus and chest wall, abnormalities of the trachea, abnormalities of the great vessels and heart valves, congenital anomalies, tumors of the mediastinum and diseases of the diaphragm. The management of the airway and injuries of the chest is within the scope of the specialty.

1800 MEDICAL CENTER PKWY STE 440, Murfreesboro, TN 37129

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Other Identifiers 1

MedicaidQ008883TN

Accepted Insurance

The full list of accepted plans is on the Insurance tab. Issuers include Ambetter from Arkansas Health & Wellness, Ambetter Health, Ambetter of Alabama and more.Insurance ›

Medicare Participation & PECOS CMS

Medicare enrollment, assignment, billing reassignment, and ordering and referring status from CMS.

Medicare Enrollment Status

✔

Enrolled in Medicare and accepts Medicare assignment

Dr. Ward Vaughn Houck M.d. is registered in PECOS and agrees to accept the Medicare-approved amount as full payment. Medicare patients are not billed beyond the standard deductible and coinsurance.

PECOS PAC ID3971524232

PECOS Enrollment IDI20141022000285

Eligible to Order & Refer✔ Part B Labs & Imaging✔ Durable Medical Equipment✔ Home Health Agency✔ Power Mobility DevicesPer the CMS Ordering and Referring file. Eligibility means Medicare pays claims that this provider orders or refers for these categories.

Medicare Billing Reassignment

Medicare enrollment records show Ward Houck reassigns Medicare billing to 1 organization. The organization bills Medicare for the services this provider delivers there.

Saint Thomas Medical Partners

22 mi

Gynecology

4601 CAROTHERS PARKWAY, STE. 350
Franklin, TN 37067

Reassigned Medicare billing, Tennessee enrollment
1,304 clinicians in this Medicare group

NPI 1164679411 (615) 284-4664

Source: CMS Revalidation Reassignment List, October 2026 release. Reassignment records can lag staffing changes; confirm a current affiliation with the organization.

Areas of Expertise CMS Part B claims 13

Services this provider delivered to Medicare fee-for-service patients, from the CMS Medicare utilization data. Higher counts generally reflect more experience with a service; care delivered outside Medicare is not included.

Established patient office or other outpatient visit with high level of medical decision making, if using time, 40 minutes or more 99215

This service involves a follow-up appointment for existing patients, lasting between 40 to 54 minutes. During this time, your healthcare provider will assess your current health status, discuss any changes or concerns, review your treatment plan, and answer any questions you may have.

152 services119 patients

Diagnostic exam of lung airway using an endoscope 31622

This procedure involves a doctor inserting a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope into your lung airway. It allows the doctor to view the airway and diagnose any issues. The process is safe and helps in accurate diagnosis.

77 services68 patients

Adhesion of linings of lung using an endoscope 32650

This procedure, performed with an endoscope, helps to stick the lung linings together. It's often used to treat lung conditions, like a collapsed lung. The endoscope allows a non-invasive approach, reducing recovery time.

62 services51 patients

Initial hospital care with moderate level of medical decision making, if using time, at least 75 minutes 99223

Initial hospital inpatient care per day, typically 70 minutes, refers to the daily medical service provided to patients admitted to the hospital. This includes a comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, treatment plan, and monitoring of your health condition. It ensures your well-being during your hospital stay.

50 services50 patients

New patient office or other outpatient visit with a high level of medical decision making, if using time, 60 minutes or more 99205

This is a first-time patient visit where a healthcare professional spends 60-74 minutes with you. It involves a comprehensive evaluation, including your medical history and current health condition. They'll also advise on preventive health measures and formulate a treatment plan if needed.

49 services49 patients

Removal of chest cavity lining and lung lining using an endoscope 32652

This procedure, called thoracoscopy, involves using a small camera (endoscope) to examine and remove the lining of your chest and lung. It helps in diagnosing and treating various lung conditions. The process is minimally invasive, reducing recovery time.

30 services28 patients

Diagnostic exam of esophagus, stomach, and/or upper small bowel using a flexible endoscope 43235

This procedure, known as an upper endoscopy, involves inserting a thin, flexible tube with a camera down the throat to examine the esophagus, stomach, and upper small bowel. It helps diagnose conditions like ulcers or inflammation.

29 services27 patients

Repair of hernia of muscle at esophagus and stomach using an endoscope 43281

This procedure fixes a hernia, an area where your stomach and esophagus muscles have weakened. Using an endoscope, a thin tube with a camera, the doctor can see and repair the hernia without large incisions, promoting quicker recovery.

24 services24 patients

Removal of lymph nodes of chest cavity using an endoscope 32674

This procedure involves using a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera, known as an endoscope, to access and remove lymph nodes in the chest cavity. It's a minimally invasive method, which can help in diagnosing or treating certain conditions.

20 services19 patients

Initial removal of wedge of lung tissue using an endoscope 32666

This procedure involves the use of an endoscope, a thin tube with a light and camera, to view and remove a small wedge of lung tissue. It's performed to diagnose or treat lung conditions. The process is minimally invasive, reducing recovery time.

17 services17 patients

Removal of skin tag, 1-15 skin tags 11200

Skin tag removal is a simple procedure where small, benign growths on the skin are carefully removed. This can be achieved through several methods such as freezing, burning, or cutting off the skin tags. The process is quick, typically painless with local anesthesia, and aids in skin smoothness.

15 services15 patients

Removal of lining of lung using an endoscope 32656

This procedure involves utilizing an endoscope, a thin, flexible tube with a camera, to remove the lining of your lung. It's performed to treat certain lung conditions. It's minimally invasive, which means recovery is usually quicker than traditional surgery.

14 services13 patients

Established patient office or other outpatient visit with moderate level of decision making, if using time, 30 minutes or more 99214

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.

14 services13 patients

Hospital Affiliations CMS Care Compare

Hospitals where this provider delivers care, identified from recent Medicare claims and place-of-service records.

Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital

Acute Care Hospitals · Murfreesboro, TN

2/5 CMS rating

OwnershipVoluntary non-profit - Church

CMS Certification Number440053

Location1700 Medical Center ParkwayMurfreesboro, TN 37129 · Rutherford County

Emergency services Birthing friendly

Physician Visit Costs CMS claims · ZIP area

Typical Medicare office-visit costs in the 37129 ZIP code area, from fee-for-service claims. These are area statistics, not this provider’s prices; actual charges vary by service and coverage.

New Patient

$160.89 typical visit price

range $52.64 – $160.89

Typical copayment $40.22 (range $13.16 – $40.22)

Most-billed visit code 99205

Established Patient

$66.01 typical visit price

range $16.72 – $131.41

Typical copayment $16.50 (range $4.18 – $32.85)

Most-billed visit code 99213

Amounts reflect what Medicare beneficiaries in this ZIP area are typically charged for office visits. Patients with other coverage should check their individual plans.

Referred Medical Equipment & Supplies CMS DME claims 3

Durable medical equipment, devices and supplies this provider ordered from DME suppliers for patients, from Medicare fee-for-service claims.

Portable gaseous oxygen system, rental; includes portable container, regulator, flowmeter, humidifier, cannula or mask, and tubing E0431

DME-Oxygen and Supplies · category DC000N

3 suppliers36 claims36 services$19.43 avg. paid by Medicare

Oxygen concentrator, single delivery port, capable of delivering 85 percent or greater oxygen concentration at the prescribed flow rate E1390

DME-Oxygen and Supplies · category DC002N

4 suppliers52 claims52 services$100.17 avg. paid by Medicare

Portable oxygen concentrator, rental E1392

DME-Oxygen and Supplies · category DC002N

2 suppliers12 claims12 services$32.78 avg. paid by Medicare

Dollar amounts are the average Medicare paid the supplier per service. They are not the cost to the patient.

Other Providers at the Same Location NPPES 3

Providers registered at the same practice address, or within the immediate area, according to the NPPES registry.

DR. MORRIS WAYNE WESTMORELAND M.D.

Surgery

1800 MEDICAL CENTER PKWY STE 440
MURFREESBORO, TN 37129

Rutherford County (615) 867-1940

MARK A AKINS MD

Surgery

1800 MEDICAL CENTER PKWY STE 440
MURFREESBORO, TN 37129

Rutherford County (615) 867-1940

DR. MARK LOUIS MANWARING MD

Surgery

1800 MEDICAL CENTER PKWY STE 440
MURFREESBORO, TN 37129

Rutherford County (615) 867-1940

Frequently Asked Questions NPPES & CMS

Common questions about this NPI record, answered from the official NPPES registry and CMS datasets shown on this page.

What is Ward Houck's NPI number?

The NPI number for Ward Houck is 1477535409. It was assigned to this individual provider in the NPPES registry on November 16, 2005.

Where is Ward Houck located?

Ward Houck practices at 1800 Medical Center Pkwy Ste 440, Murfreesboro, TN 37129. The listed phone number is (615) 867-1940.

What is Ward Houck's specialty?

The primary specialty registered for this NPI is Thoracic Surgery (Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery) with taxonomy code 208G00000X.

Is Ward Houck enrolled in Medicare?

Yes. Ward Houck is registered in the Medicare PECOS system and accepts Medicare assignment, which means accepting the Medicare-approved amount as payment in full for covered services.

Which organization bills Medicare for Ward Houck's services?

According to the CMS Revalidation Reassignment List (October 2026 release), Ward Houck reassigns Medicare benefits to Saint Thomas Medical Partners (Franklin, TN). The reassignment is filed with Medicare on form CMS-855R, signed by both the clinician and the organization, and lets the organization bill Medicare and receive payment for Ward Houck's services. Reassignment records can lag staffing changes; confirm current arrangements with the organization.

What insurance does Ward Houck accept?

Health plans from Ambetter Health, Ambetter from Arkansas Health & Wellness, Ambetter of Alabama, Ambetter of North Carolina and Ambetter of Tennessee and 3 other insurers list Ward Houck as in-network in at least one marketplace plan. Coverage varies by plan and year; verify with the insurer or the provider before a visit.

Is Ward Houck affiliated with any hospitals?

According to CMS data, Ward Houck is affiliated with Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital.

When was this NPI record last updated?

The NPPES record for Ward Houck was last updated on August 28, 2018. NPI Profile syncs weekly with the NPPES registry data releases published by CMS. This NPI record was last updated 8 years ago. If this record has changed at CMS more recently, you can request an on-demand re-check against the live CMS registry, directly from this page.