Dr. Christopher C Lai , MD
Orthopaedic Surgery • Brawley, CA
196 W Legion Rd
Brawley, CA 922277713
This profile restates public CMS/NPPES data; T-MedInfo gives no medical advice — consult a licensed professional, and call 911 for emergencies.
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Dr. Christopher Lai is listed in NPPES under Orthopaedic Surgery.
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NPI assigned on February 6, 2007; this date does not establish years in practice.
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Published CMS data list 13,023 Original Medicare Part B services in 2024.
Source: CMS, Medicare Physician & Other Practitioners – by Provider and Service, 2024. Published rows only; this is not a quality measure.
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Published Part B service records, 2024:
- J1010 — Injection, methylprednisolone acetate, 1 mg: 6,593 service units.
- 99214 — Established patient outpatient office visit: 1,617 service units.
- 20611 — Aspiration and/or injection of fluid large joint using ultrasound guidance: 1,202 service units.
Source: CMS, Medicare Physician & Other Practitioners – by Provider and Service, 2024. Units differ by code; these are not visits or a measure of quality.
CPT® only copyright 2023 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. Service names are shortened from CPT Consumer Friendly Descriptors (CMS data, 2024). CPT notice
See all 34 records in the table · Guide: How to read Medicare Part B data
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Published CMS data list 622 Medicare Part D prescriptions, including refills, in 2024.
Source: CMS, Medicare Part D Prescribers – by Provider and Drug, 2024. Published rows only; this is not a quality measure.
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Published Part D records, 2024:
- Gabapentin — 194 prescription fills, including refills.
- Oxycodone-Acetaminophen (Oxycodone Hcl/Acetaminophen) — 187 prescription fills, including refills.
- Cefpodoxime Proxetil — 99 prescription fills, including refills.
Source: CMS, Medicare Part D Prescribers – by Provider and Drug, 2024. Drug names come from pharmacy claims. Listing a drug here is not an endorsement or a recommendation.
See all 8 records in the table · Guide: How to read Medicare Part D prescriber data
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More Medicare Part B services than 90% of clinicians listed under Orthopaedic Surgery in California (2024, 1,037 clinicians with data). Median for this group: 1,177. Middle half: 310 to 3,300.
Source: CMS, Medicare Physician & Other Practitioners – by Provider and Service, 2024. Billing and prescribing volume is not a quality rating.
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Medicare Part B services went from 34,773 in 2020 to 13,023 in 2024.
Source: CMS, Medicare Physician & Other Practitioners – by Provider and Service, 2020–2024.
Practice Location & Contact Primary Location
196 W Legion Rd
Brawley, CA 922277713
Matched by practice address or phone in NPPES. A shared address or phone does not confirm that this clinician works there.
NPPES lists 2 distinct additional practice-address records in Brawley, CA; El Centro, CA. See the list
Source: CMS NPPES NPI Registry, practice location records; release date unavailable.
CMS Doctors and Clinicians lists 2 distinct group names: Christopher C Lai Md A Professional Corporation; Clinicas De Salud Del Pueblo Inc. See the list
Source: CMS Doctors and Clinicians National Downloadable File, release date unavailable.
Listings do not confirm current availability, employment or a shared ownership network.
Medicare Profile & Education
Source: CMS Doctors and Clinicians National Downloadable File
Chicago College Of Medicine And Surgery
1994
What Public CMS Data Show
Orthopaedic Surgery: NPPES taxonomy is a reported classification, not proof of board certification.
Medicare patients
891 people with Original Medicare in 2024
It gives a sense of how many people with Medicare this clinician treated that year.
Source: CMS, Medicare Physician & Other Practitioners – by Provider, 2024.
Medicare-allowed amount
About $624,209 in 2024
The total amount Medicare approved for these services in 2024. It includes what Medicare paid and what patients or their other insurance owed, such as the deductible and coinsurance.
It shows the total cost of this clinician's Original Medicare services under Medicare's fee rules.
What this does not show: Medicare-allowed amount
This is not the clinician's income. Part of it can go to a clinic or group practice, staff, equipment or drugs. It is not the price you will pay.
Source: CMS, Medicare Physician & Other Practitioners – by Provider and Service, 2024.
Paid by Medicare
About $488,066 in 2024
The part of the Medicare-allowed amount that Medicare itself paid in 2024, after patients' deductibles and coinsurance.
The gap between the allowed amount and this number is roughly what patients and their other insurance paid.
What this does not show: Paid by Medicare
This is not the clinician's income and not a measure of quality.
Source: CMS, Medicare Physician & Other Practitioners – by Provider and Service, 2024.
30-day fills
624 standardized 30-day fills in 2024
CMS converts prescriptions to 30-day supplies so they can be compared. A 90-day prescription counts as about three 30-day fills.
What this does not show: 30-day fills
It is not a count of patients and not a measure of quality.
Part D drug cost
$7,213 in 2024
The total cost of these prescriptions in 2024, paid by Medicare drug plans, patients and other payers together.
It shows the total spending on drugs this clinician prescribed, not what any one patient paid.
What this does not show: Part D drug cost
A higher cost often reflects the type of medicines a specialty uses. It is not your out-of-pocket cost and not a measure of quality.
Source: CMS, Medicare Part D Prescribers – by Provider and Drug, 2024.
Open Payments general payments, program year 2025
All general payments: $1,225.30 across 11 records.
By nature of payment
- Travel and Lodging: $731.12 across 5 records.
- Food and Beverage: $494.18 across 6 records.
Reporting-company totals
- Stryker Corporation: $964.72 across 8 records.
- Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.: $245.38 across 2 records.
- Amgen Inc.: $15.20 across 1 record.
A reported payment does not necessarily mean the financial relationship is improper and is not a measure of care quality. Clinicians can review and dispute these records.
Source: Calculated by T-MedInfo from CMS Open Payments general-payment records for program year 2025 (published June 30, 2026).
Years since graduation
32 years (graduated 1994)
CMS Doctors and Clinicians data list 1994 as the year this clinician finished professional school.
It tells you roughly how long ago the clinician finished school.
What this does not show: Years since graduation
It is not the number of years in practice, and more years does not mean better care.
Source: CMS Doctors and Clinicians National Downloadable File.
NPI first issued
2007
The year this clinician's National Provider Identifier (NPI) was issued. An NPI is a unique 10-digit ID that US health care providers use for billing.
What this does not show: NPI first issued
NPIs have been issued only since 2005, so this year is not necessarily when the clinician started practicing.
Source: CMS NPPES NPI Registry.
May accept Medicare assignment
CMS data show this clinician may accept Medicare assignment. Clinicians who do not always accept assignment can decide case by case.
Ask the office before your visit. If a clinician does not accept assignment for a service, they can charge up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount, and you may be asked to pay the full amount at the visit.
Medicare assignment applies to Original Medicare. It does not tell you whether the clinician is in a Medicare Advantage plan's network, accepts other insurance, or is taking new patients.
Source: CMS Doctors and Clinicians; Medicare.gov, “Does your provider accept Medicare as full payment?”
No telehealth indicator
CMS shows this indicator only when recent Medicare claims include telehealth services. The clinician may still offer telehealth; ask the office.
Source: CMS, Telehealth Indicator on Medicare Care Compare (fact sheet, January 2023); CMS Doctors and Clinicians.
Enrolled in Medicare (PECOS)
Dr. Lai has a Medicare enrollment record in PECOS, the CMS system clinicians use to enroll so they can bill Medicare or order services for people with Medicare.
It does not show whether the clinician accepts assignment, is in your plan's network, or is taking new patients.
Source: CMS Medicare Fee-For-Service Public Provider Enrollment (PECOS); CMS Order and Referring file.
Can order Medicare-covered services
CMS lists Dr. Lai as eligible to order or refer Medicare Part B clinical laboratory and imaging services, durable medical equipment (DME) and home health services for people with Medicare.
Medicare pays for these items and services only when they are ordered by an eligible clinician.
What this does not show: Can order Medicare-covered services
It does not mean the clinician offers these services directly.
Source: CMS Medicare Fee-For-Service Public Provider Enrollment (PECOS); CMS Order and Referring file.
Compared with the same specialty in Brawley and California
Billing and prescribing volume is not a quality rating.
Medicare Part B services
More Medicare Part B services than 90% of clinicians listed under Orthopaedic Surgery in California (2024, 1,037 clinicians with data). Median for this group: 1,177. Middle half: 310 to 3,300.
Too few clinicians listed under Orthopaedic Surgery in Brawley have Medicare Part B data for 2024 to compare.
Medicare-allowed amount
A higher Medicare-allowed amount than 95% of clinicians listed under Orthopaedic Surgery in California (2024, 1,037 clinicians with data). Median for this group: $92,613. Middle half: $32,551 to $209,320.
Too few clinicians listed under Orthopaedic Surgery in Brawley have Medicare Part B data for 2024 to compare.
Paid by Medicare
A higher Medicare payment amount than 95% of clinicians listed under Orthopaedic Surgery in California (2024, 1,037 clinicians with data). Median for this group: $69,737. Middle half: $24,028 to $159,045.
Too few clinicians listed under Orthopaedic Surgery in Brawley have Medicare Part B data for 2024 to compare.
Medicare Part D prescriptions
More Part D prescriptions than 85% of clinicians listed under Orthopaedic Surgery in California (2024, 1,131 clinicians with data). Median for this group: 139. Middle half: 45 to 347.
Too few clinicians listed under Orthopaedic Surgery in Brawley have Medicare Part D data for 2024 to compare.
Part D drug cost
A higher Part D drug cost than 85% of clinicians listed under Orthopaedic Surgery in California (2024, 1,131 clinicians with data). Median for this group: $1,211. Middle half: $355 to $3,502.
Too few clinicians listed under Orthopaedic Surgery in Brawley have Medicare Part D data for 2024 to compare.
1 active clinicians are listed under Orthopaedic Surgery with a practice address in Brawley, CA (2,281 in California).
Addresses are self-reported to NPPES and may be out of date.
CMS data by year
Changes may reflect reporting, coverage or privacy limits, not changes in care quality.
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Medicare Part B services
Medicare Part B services decreased 63% from 34,773 in 2020 to 13,023 in 2024.
- 2020: 34,773
- 2021: 75,571
- 2022: 39,246
- 2023: 5,476
- 2024: 13,023
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Medicare-allowed amount
Medicare-allowed amount increased 77% from $352,864 in 2020 to $624,209 in 2024.
- 2020: $352,864
- 2021: $577,441
- 2022: $531,209
- 2023: $566,713
- 2024: $624,209
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Paid by Medicare
Paid by Medicare increased 77% from $275,389 in 2020 to $488,066 in 2024.
- 2020: $275,389
- 2021: $458,292
- 2022: $422,244
- 2023: $440,755
- 2024: $488,066
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Medicare Part D prescriptions
Medicare Part D prescriptions increased 189% from 215 in 2020 to 622 in 2024.
- 2020: 215
- 2021: 201
- 2022: 389
- 2023: 545
- 2024: 622
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30-day fills
30-day fills increased 181% from 222 in 2020 to 624 in 2024.
- 2020: 222
- 2021: 201
- 2022: 389
- 2023: 546
- 2024: 624
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Part D drug cost
Part D drug cost increased 261% from $2,000 in 2020 to $7,213 in 2024.
- 2020: $2,000
- 2021: $2,046
- 2022: $5,837
- 2023: $9,806
- 2024: $7,213
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Industry payments (Open Payments)
Industry payments (Open Payments) decreased 87% from $9,098.68 in 2021 to $1,225.30 in 2025.
- 2021: $9,098.68
- 2022: $514.98
- 2023: $2,120.56
- 2024: $2,318.78
- 2025: $1,225.30
Sources: CMS Medicare Physician & Other Practitioners (2024), CMS Medicare Part D Prescribers (2024), CMS Open Payments (2025), CMS Doctors and Clinicians, CMS NPPES NPI Registry. Specialty names follow the NUCC Health Care Provider Taxonomy.
Text: T-MedInfo · Report an error.
Pharma & Medical Device Financial Disclosures
Payments and other transfers of value that drug and medical device companies reported to CMS Open Payments
Program year 2025 (payments made January 1 – December 31, 2025): 11 records totaling $1,225.30.
| Manufacturer | Payment Nature | Product | Type | Amount ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stryker Corporation |
Travel and Lodging
Cash or cash equivalent
|
MAKO | General | $357.72 |
| Stryker Corporation |
Travel and Lodging
Cash or cash equivalent
|
MAKO | General | $251.78 |
| Stryker Corporation |
Food and Beverage
In-kind items and services
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MAKO | General | $175.00 |
| Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. |
Food and Beverage
In-kind items and services
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Persona | General | $155.77 |
| Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. |
Food and Beverage
In-kind items and services
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AccuFill | General | $89.61 |
| Stryker Corporation |
Travel and Lodging
Cash or cash equivalent
|
MAKO | General | $82.67 |
| Stryker Corporation |
Food and Beverage
In-kind items and services
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INSIGNIA | General | $38.93 |
| Stryker Corporation |
Travel and Lodging
Cash or cash equivalent
|
MAKO | General | $33.95 |
| Stryker Corporation |
Food and Beverage
In-kind items and services
|
INSIGNIA | General | $19.67 |
| Amgen Inc. |
Food and Beverage
In-kind items and services
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EVENITY | General | $15.20 |
| Stryker Corporation |
Travel and Lodging
Cash or cash equivalent
|
MAKO | General | $5.00 |
Source: CMS Open Payments, program year 2025, released June 30, 2026.
Performed Procedures & Service Volume
CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2016–2023 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. Applicable FARS/HHSARS apply. Descriptions of CPT codes are the AMA's CPT Consumer Friendly Descriptors as published by CMS in the Medicare Physician & Other Practitioners – by Provider and Service data, 2017–2024; they are plain-language summaries, not for clinical coding or documentation. HCPCS Level II codes and descriptions are from CMS. Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of CPT, and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained herein.
| HCPCS Code | Services | Patients | Submitted Charge | Medicare Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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J1010
Injection, methylprednisolone acetate, 1 mg
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6,593 | 131 | $1.01 | $0.13 |
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99214
Established patient office or other outpatient visit with moderate level of decision making, if using time, 30 minutes or more
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1,617 | 554 | $200.00 | $123.37 |
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20611
Aspiration and/or injection of fluid large joint using ultrasound guidance
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1,202 | 391 | $415.35 | $96.24 |
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J7321
Hyaluronan or derivative, hyalgan, supartz or visco-3, for intra-articular injection, per dose
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852 | 198 | $450.00 | $72.57 |
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99213
Established patient office or other outpatient visit with low level od decision making, if using time, 20 minutes or more
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737 | 454 | $200.00 | $87.78 |
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99204
New patient office or other outpatient visit with moderate level of medical decision making, if using time, 45 minutes or more
|
336 | 336 | $350.00 | $160.09 |
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J3301
Injection, triamcinolone acetonide, not otherwise specified, 10 mg
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298 | 66 | $20.00 | $0.94 |
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73562
X-ray of knee, 3 views
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260 | 231 | $104.00 | $8.70 |
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73030
X-ray of shoulder, minimum of 2 views
|
116 | 96 | $110.00 | $8.56 |
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97530
Therapy procedure using functional activities
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113 | 108 | $54.00 | $36.15 |
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J1040
Injection, methylprednisolone acetate, 80 mg
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89 | 81 | $30.00 | $9.64 |
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73110
X-ray of wrist, minimum of 3 views
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77 | 38 | $96.00 | $8.35 |
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99203
New patient office or other outpatient visit with low level of medical decision making, if using time, 30 minutes or more
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73 | 73 | $350.00 | $107.47 |
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20610
Aspiration and/or injection of fluid from large joint
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70 | 68 | $118.29 | $21.46 |
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73502
X-ray of hip, 2-3 views
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63 | 56 | $122.00 | $10.17 |
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76881
Complete ultrasound scan of joint
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63 | 58 | $300.00 | $51.70 |
|
27447
Replacement of knee joint, both sides of knee
|
56 | 54 | $6732.14 | $1217.05 |
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J1885
Injection, ketorolac tromethamine, per 15 mg
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54 | 43 | $30.00 | $0.62 |
|
76942
Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement
|
47 | 30 | $300.00 | $56.94 |
|
73610
X-ray of ankle, minimum of 3 views
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38 | 21 | $96.00 | $7.93 |
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20550
Injection into tendon or ligament
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32 | 22 | $115.00 | $55.65 |
|
73130
X-ray of hand, minimum of 3 views
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29 | 23 | $96.00 | $7.90 |
|
G0180
Physician or allowed practitioner certification for medicare-covered home health services under a home health plan of care (patient not present), including contacts with home health agency and review of reports of patient status required by physicians and
|
28 | 28 | $150.00 | $52.20 |
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73630
X-ray of foot, minimum of 3 views
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26 | 16 | $96.00 | $7.60 |
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11981
Insertion of drug delivery implant into tissue
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22 | 22 | $1000.00 | $28.86 |
(top 25 shown)
Source: CMS Part B by Provider and Service, 2024; services under 11 beneficiaries omitted by CMS. Privacy limits
Submitted charges are billed amounts, not a price quote for your visit.
Medicare Part D Prescribing Profile & Medications
Medicare Part D prescriptions filled, including refills, in 2024.
| Brand Name | Generic Name | Prescriptions | Day Supply | Total Cost | Patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabapentin | Gabapentin | 194 | 5,870 | $1,621.31 | 132 |
| Oxycodone-Acetaminophen | Oxycodone Hcl/Acetaminophen | 187 | 1,236 | $1,603.04 | 155 |
| Cefpodoxime Proxetil | Cefpodoxime Proxetil | 99 | 497 | $3,218.82 | 95 |
| Ibuprofen | Ibuprofen | 54 | 1,543 | $289.38 | 41 |
| Acetaminophen-Codeine | Acetaminophen With Codeine | 39 | 192 | $268.13 | 38 |
| Tramadol Hcl | Tramadol Hcl | 26 | 432 | $62.92 | 18 |
| Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen | Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen | 12 | 70 | $102.43 | 11 |
| Doxycycline Hyclate | Doxycycline Hyclate | 11 | 73 | $47.21 | 11 |
Source: CMS Part D by Provider and Drug, 2024; rows below 11 claims omitted by CMS; volume isn’t quality. Privacy limits
Specialties & License Numbers Reported to NPPES
Self-certified to NPPES: 2021-02-24NUCC Taxonomy Code: 207X00000X
An orthopaedic surgeon is trained in the preservation, investigation and restoration of the form and function of the extremities, spine and associated structures by medical, surgical and physical means. An orthopaedic surgeon is involved with the care of patients whose musculoskeletal problems include congenital deformities, trauma, infections, tumors, metabolic disturbances of the musculoskeletal system, deformities, injuries and degenerative diseases of the spine, hands, feet, knee, hip, shoulder and elbow in children and adults. An orthopaedic surgeon is also concerned with primary and secondary muscular problems and the effects of central or peripheral nervous system lesions of the musculoskeletal system.
Additional State Medicaid & Healthcare Payer Identifiers
Medicare (PECOS) Enrollment & Ordering Eligibility
Source: CMS PECOSPRACTITIONER - ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY
I20120316000119
CA
5193638328
Sources: CMS Provider Enrollment and Order and Referring. Medicare enrollment is a billing status, not an accreditation or quality rating.
Medicare Group Practice Enrollments
Source: CMS Doctors and Clinicians National Downloadable File
Christopher C Lai Md A Professional Corporation
196 W Legion Rd, Brawley, CA 922277713
Phone: 7603449093
Clinicas De Salud Del Pueblo Inc
900 Main St, Brawley, CA 922272630
Phone: 7603446471
Secondary Practice Locations
751 W Legion Rd Ste 103
Brawley, CA 922277754
Phone: 2099567725
1441 W State St
El Centro, CA 922432800
Phone: 2099567725
Clinicians Sharing This Practice Address or Phone
Clinicians sharing this NPPES address, phone or fax; a shared contact does not mean they work together.
Plastic Surgery
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Anesthesiology
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Pain Medicine - Interventional Pain Medicine
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Advanced Practice Midwife
Certified Nurse Midwife
Anesthesiology
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Advanced Practice Midwife
Certified Nurse Midwife
Career & Practice History Timeline
Changes recorded in monthly NPPES data files: addresses, names, credentials, specialties and NPI status
Recorded as CHRISTOPHER LAI, MD
NPI status registered as active in NPPES database
Registered at 196 W LEGION RD, BRAWLEY, CA 922277713 (Tel: 7603449093)
Registered at 196 W LEGION RD, BRAWLEY, CA 922277713 (Tel: 7603449093)
Recorded as CHRISTOPHER LAI, M.D.
Orthopaedic Surgery (license number reported to NPPES: CA A66701)
First registered as active Individual Practitioner in NPPES Database.
NPI Administrative Meta
Mailing Address
196 W Legion Rd
Brawley, CA 922277713
Phone: 2099567725