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DR. STEPHEN ALEXANDER WHELESS M.D.
NPI 1649579996
Otolaryngology in Knoxville, TN

Active since March 24, 2011PECOS EnrolledAccepts Medicare Assignment
75/100
CMS Quality Rating
501 20TH ST, SUITE 204, KNOXVILLE, TN 37916(865) 546-5477 Get Directions Write a Review

NPPES record last updated: June 27, 2016. Verified against the NPPES registry weekly; last sync: October 25, 2026.

About Dr. Stephen Alexander Wheless M.d. NPPES

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

DR. STEPHEN ALEXANDER WHELESS M.D. (NPI 1649579996) is an individual otolaryngology provider in Knoxville, Tennessee, licensed in Tennessee (MD0000053384) and active in the NPI registry since March 2011. He is enrolled in Medicare PECOS, is affiliated with Fort Loudoun Medical Center, and is a graduate of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill School Of Medicine (2011).

NPPES Registry Identity

NPI1649579996
Entity TypeIndividualMale
Primary Taxonomy207Y00000X
Provider Legal NameDR. STEPHEN ALEXANDER WHELESSCredential: M.D.
Location Address501 20TH ST, SUITE 204Knoxville, TN 37916-1809
Mailing Address501 20th St, Suite 204Knoxville, TN 37916-1809 · (865) 546-5477
Phone(865) 546-5477
Sole ProprietorNo
Medical School CMSUniversity Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill School Of MedicineGraduated 2011
Enumeration DateMarch 24, 2011
Last NPPES UpdateJune 27, 2016
✔ NPI 1649579996 is a valid, active identifier and passes the ISO check-digit test.

Specialties & Licenses

★ Primary SpecialtyOtolaryngologyAllopathic & Osteopathic Physicians
Taxonomy Code207Y00000X
License✔ Licensed in TN · MD0000053384
Definition
An otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for patients with diseases and disorders that affect the ears, nose, throat, the respiratory and upper alimentary systems and related structures of the head and neck. An otolaryngologist diagnoses and provides medical and/or surgical therapy or prevention of diseases, allergies, neoplasms, deformities, disorders and/or injuries of the ears, nose, sinuses, throat, respiratory and upper alimentary systems, face, jaws and the other head and neck systems. Head and neck oncology, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and the treatment of disorders of hearing and voice are fundamental areas of expertise.
501 20TH ST, Knoxville, TN 37916
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Accepted Insurance

The full list of accepted plans is on the Insurance tab. Issuers include BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Cigna Healthcare, UnitedHealthcare.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. Stephen Alexander Wheless 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 ID5092016220
PECOS Enrollment IDI20160908002793
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 Stephen Wheless reassigns Medicare billing to 1 organization. The organization bills Medicare for the services this provider delivers there.

Tennessee Ear, Nose & Throat Consultants, PC
11 mi
Otolaryngology
10133 SHERRILL BLVD STE 120
Knoxville, TN 37932
  • Reassigned Medicare billing, Tennessee enrollment
  • 34 clinicians in this Medicare group
NPI 1255352266 (865) 693-6065

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 7

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 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.
328 services211 patients
New patient office or other outpatient visit with moderate level of medical decision making, if using time, 45 minutes or more 99204
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.
142 services142 patients
Diagnostic exam of nasal passages using an endoscope 31231
A diagnostic exam of nasal passages using an endoscope is a non-invasive procedure. A small, flexible tube with a light and camera at the end, called an endoscope, is inserted into the nose. This allows the doctor to view the nasal passages and sinuses, helping to identify any issues.
120 services73 patients
Removal of impacted ear wax 69210
Impacted ear wax removal is a safe procedure to clear blockages in the ear canal caused by hardened ear wax. A healthcare professional uses specialized tools or a gentle irrigation method to loosen and remove the wax, improving hearing and alleviating discomfort.
77 services61 patients
Diagnostic exam of voice box using a flexible endoscope 31575
This procedure involves a doctor examining your voice box using a flexible endoscope, a thin tube with a light and camera. It's inserted through your nose or mouth to visualize your throat area. It helps detect any abnormalities in your voice box, ensuring optimal vocal health.
73 services55 patients
Ct scan of face without contrast 70486
A CT scan of the face without contrast is a non-invasive imaging procedure. It uses X-rays to create detailed pictures of your face, including bones, soft tissues, and blood vessels. It's often used to diagnose diseases, injuries, or abnormalities. No contrast dye is used in this procedure.
33 services32 patients

Hospital Affiliations CMS Care Compare 3

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

Fort Loudoun Medical Center

Acute Care Hospitals · Lenoir City, TN
5/5 CMS rating
OwnershipVoluntary non-profit - Other
CMS Certification Number440110
Location550 Fort Loudon Medical Center DrLenoir City, TN 37772 · Loudon County
Emergency services

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center

Acute Care Hospitals · Knoxville, TN
3/5 CMS rating
OwnershipVoluntary non-profit - Private
CMS Certification Number440125
Location1901 W Clinch AveKnoxville, TN 37916 · Knox County
Emergency services Birthing friendly

Parkwest Medical Center

Acute Care Hospitals · Knoxville, TN
3/5 CMS rating
OwnershipVoluntary non-profit - Private
CMS Certification Number440173
Location9352 Park West BlvdKnoxville, TN 37923 · Knox County
Emergency services Birthing friendly

Physician Visit Costs CMS claims · ZIP area

Typical Medicare office-visit costs in the 37916 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
$121.80 typical visit price
range $52.64 – $160.89
Typical copayment $30.45 (range $13.16 – $40.22)
Most-billed visit code 99204
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.

Medicare Quality Performance CMS QPP · MIPS

Performance in the CMS Quality Payment Program: the MIPS final score across four weighted categories, and the individual quality measures reported to Medicare.

75/100
MIPS Final ScoreMerit-based Incentive Payment System · CMS Quality Payment Program
Scored as part of a group practice

Other Providers at the Same Location NPPES 20

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

DR. JAMES WIKE M.D.
Anesthesiology (Pain Medicine)
501 20TH ST, SUITE 606
KNOXVILLE, TN 37916
Knox County (865) 546-8040
ABNER MICHAEL GLOVER M.D.
Colon & Rectal Surgery
501 20TH ST, SUITE 501
KNOXVILLE, TN 37916
Knox County (865) 525-4109
MICHELLE L PALMER CRNA
Nurse Anesthetist, Certified Registered
501 20TH ST, SUITE 606
KNOXVILLE, TN 37916
Knox County (865) 546-8040
KRISTIN BURNETTE FNP
Nurse Practitioner (Family)
501 20TH ST, SUITE 404
KNOXVILLE, TN 37916
Knox County (865) 522-6964
ELIZABETH STEVENS CRNA
Nurse Anesthetist, Certified Registered
501 20TH ST, SUITE 606
KNOXVILLE, TN 37916
Knox County (865) 546-8040
GREGORY WILLIAM HAGOPIAN CRNA
Nurse Anesthetist, Certified Registered
501 20TH ST, SUITE 606
KNOXVILLE, TN 37916
Knox County (865) 546-8040
WANDA WHITE CRNA
Nurse Anesthetist, Certified Registered
501 20TH ST, SUITE 606
KNOXVILLE, TN 37916
Knox County (865) 546-8040
MARK S MUMFORD MD
Anesthesiology
501 20TH ST
KNOXVILLE, TN 37916
Knox County (865) 546-8040

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 Stephen Wheless's NPI number?

The NPI number for Stephen Wheless is 1649579996. It was assigned to this individual provider in the NPPES registry on March 24, 2011.

Where is Stephen Wheless located?

Stephen Wheless practices at 501 20th St Suite 204, Knoxville, TN 37916. The listed phone number is (865) 546-5477.

What is Stephen Wheless's specialty?

The primary specialty registered for this NPI is Otolaryngology with taxonomy code 207Y00000X.

Is Stephen Wheless enrolled in Medicare?

Yes. Stephen Wheless 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 Stephen Wheless's services?

According to the CMS Revalidation Reassignment List (October 2026 release), Stephen Wheless reassigns Medicare benefits to Tennessee Ear, Nose & Throat Consultants, PC (Knoxville, 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 Stephen Wheless's services. Reassignment records can lag staffing changes; confirm current arrangements with the organization.

What insurance does Stephen Wheless accept?

Health plans from BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Cigna Healthcare and UnitedHealthcare list Stephen Wheless 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 Stephen Wheless affiliated with any hospitals?

According to CMS data, Stephen Wheless is affiliated with Fort Loudoun Medical Center, Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center and Parkwest Medical Center.

When was this NPI record last updated?

The NPPES record for Stephen Wheless was last updated on June 27, 2016. NPI Profile syncs weekly with the NPPES registry data releases published by CMS. This NPI record was last updated 10 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.