DR. CRAIG A MERRILL M.D.
NPI 1528060746
Ophthalmology in Pismo Beach, CA

Medicare Participation & PECOS Enrollment Status

Craig Merrill 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.

Craig Merrill 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: 4789634163

  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: I20050125000705

  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.

Cataract surgery

Cataract surgery is a procedure to remove the lens of your eye when it becomes cloudy, which is called a cataract. A synthetic lens is then inserted to restore clear vision. The operation is typically done on an outpatient basis and is very safe and effective.

This service was performed for 295 patients

Chronic care management services for two or more chronic conditions, additional 20 minutes of clinical staff time directed by health care professional, per calendar month

Chronic Care Management services involve regular check-ins with healthcare professionals to manage two or more chronic conditions. It includes an additional 20 minutes of clinical staff time per month, directed by a healthcare professional, to ensure optimal health management.

This service was performed 113 times for 26 patients

Chronic care management services, first 20 minutes of clinical staff time directed by health care professional, per calendar month

Chronic care management services involve a healthcare professional directing clinical staff in managing your chronic conditions. This includes the first 20 minutes per month of services like medication management, care coordination, and health monitoring to help improve your health and quality of life.

This service was performed 272 times for 27 patients

Ct scan of cornea

A CT scan of the cornea is a non-invasive imaging test that uses X-rays to capture detailed pictures of your eye's cornea. It helps in diagnosing diseases or damage, planning for surgery, or evaluating the results of a treatment. It's a safe and painless procedure.

This service was performed 80 times for 80 patients

Established patient complete exam of visual system

An established patient complete exam of the visual system involves a thorough check of your eyes and vision. It assesses eye health, checks for diseases, and measures your ability to see clearly at different distances. It's a routine, non-invasive procedure.

This service was performed 1,425 times for 1,039 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 456 times for 293 patients

Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 40-54 minutes

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.

This service was performed 24 times for 23 patients

Exam of the internal drainage system of eye

This is a procedure where your doctor examines the eye's internal drainage system, essential for maintaining eye pressure. They use specialized tools to check for blockages or damage that might lead to conditions like glaucoma. It's non-invasive and painless.

This service was performed 668 times for 362 patients

Exam of visual field with extended testing

An extended visual field exam is a detailed test to evaluate your peripheral (side) vision. It helps to detect any potential blind spots which may not be noticeable in daily life. These could be caused by eye diseases like glaucoma, or neurological conditions.

This service was performed 304 times for 289 patients

Exam to measure eye deviation and range of motion

This is an eye exam that checks for any misalignment in your eyes, also known as deviation. It also assesses the movement range of your eyes. The procedure is painless and helps in detecting conditions like strabismus or other vision issues.

This service was performed 12 times for 12 patients

Imaging of front third of eye using a special microscope

This procedure involves capturing detailed images of the front part of your eye using a specialized microscope. It helps in identifying any eye abnormalities or issues, improving the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment planning.

This service was performed 80 times for 77 patients

Imaging of optic nerve

Imaging of the optic nerve is a non-invasive procedure that captures detailed pictures of your optic nerve. It helps doctors assess eye health, particularly for conditions like glaucoma. It's painless, quick, and uses safe technology like MRI or OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography).

This service was performed 460 times for 227 patients

Imaging of retina

Imaging of the retina is a non-invasive procedure that captures detailed images of your eye's interior. This helps detect conditions like macular degeneration or retinal detachment. It's painless and takes only a few minutes.

This service was performed 299 times for 138 patients

Measurement of corneal curvature and depth of eye

This procedure measures the shape and depth of your eye, specifically the cornea, the clear front surface. It helps in diagnosing conditions, planning for surgeries, or fitting contact lenses. It's non-invasive and painless.

This service was performed 55 times for 55 patients

Measurement of corneal curvature and depth of eye

This procedure measures the shape and depth of your eye, specifically the cornea, the clear front surface. It helps in diagnosing conditions, planning for surgeries, or fitting contact lenses. It's non-invasive and painless.

This service was performed 78 times for 78 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 133 times for 133 patients

Photography of the retina

Photography of the retina, also known as retinal imaging, is a non-invasive procedure that captures images of the back of your eye. This helps doctors identify and monitor conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy. It's painless and quick, often part of a routine eye exam.

This service was performed 512 times for 426 patients

Removal of cataract with insertion of prosthetic lens

This is a procedure where a cloudy lens in your eye, known as a cataract, is removed. After removal, a clear artificial lens is inserted. This helps to restore your vision, enabling you to see clearly again.

This service was performed 131 times for 73 patients

Removal of eyelashes using forceps

The removal of eyelashes using forceps is a simple procedure where a medical professional gently extracts unwanted or problematic eyelashes with a specialized tool. This is often done to alleviate discomfort or to treat conditions like trichiasis, where eyelashes grow inward.

This service was performed 31 times for 20 patients

Removal of foreign body in cornea using slit lamp

This procedure involves the use of a slit lamp, a special microscope, to locate and remove a foreign object from the cornea, the clear front surface of your eye. It's a safe and effective way to clear unwanted particles and restore eye health.

This service was performed 12 times for 11 patients

Removal of recurring cataract in lens capsule using a laser

This procedure, known as YAG laser capsulotomy, treats cloudiness in the lens capsule following cataract surgery. A laser is used to create a small hole in the cloudy capsule, allowing light to pass through and restore clear vision. It's a quick, painless procedure.

This service was performed 42 times for 33 patients

Ultrasound scan of cornea to determine thickness

An ultrasound scan of the cornea is a non-invasive procedure that uses sound waves to measure the thickness of your cornea. This helps in diagnosing certain eye conditions and planning treatments. No discomfort or pain is typically experienced.

This service was performed 48 times for 27 patients

Physician Visit Costs

The typical physician office visit costs for Medicare beneficiaries in this area are: $33.93 for a new patient copayment and $18.56 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 93449 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 95.6, 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: 95.6 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: 100

  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: N/A

  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: 85.36

  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: 85.36

  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.

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