Dr. Joseph Richard Karam , MD
Surgery โข San Antonio, TX
4383 Medical Dr Ste 126
San Antonio, TX 782293307
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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NPI assigned on April 30, 2009; this date does not establish years in practice.
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Published CMS data list 385 Original Medicare Part B services in 2024.
Source: CMS, Medicare Physician & Other Practitioners โ by Provider and Service, 2024. Published rows only; this is not a quality measure.
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Published Part B service records, 2024:
- 99204 โ New patient outpatient office visit: 70 service units.
- 99203 โ New patient outpatient office visit: 68 service units.
- 47562 โ Removal of gallbladder using an endoscope: 32 service units.
Source: CMS, Medicare Physician & Other Practitioners โ by Provider and Service, 2024. Units differ by code; these are not visits or a measure of quality.
CPTยฎ 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 12 records in the table ยท Guide: How to read Medicare Part B data
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Published CMS data list 292 Medicare Part D prescriptions, including refills, in 2024.
Source: CMS, Medicare Part D Prescribers โ by Provider and Drug, 2024. Published rows only; this is not a quality measure.
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Published Part D records, 2024:
- Tramadol Hcl โ 146 prescription fills, including refills.
- Methocarbamol โ 61 prescription fills, including refills.
- Bethanechol Chloride โ 35 prescription fills, including refills.
Source: CMS, Medicare Part D Prescribers โ by Provider and Drug, 2024. Drug names come from pharmacy claims. Listing a drug here is not an endorsement or a recommendation.
See all 5 records in the table ยท Guide: How to read Medicare Part D prescriber data
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More Medicare Part B services than 85% of clinicians listed under Surgery in San Antonio, TX (2024, 68 clinicians with data). Median for this group: 118. Middle half: 55 to 252.
More Medicare Part B services than 85% of clinicians listed under Surgery in Texas (2024, 1,113 clinicians with data). Median for this group: 148. Middle half: 72 to 277.
Source: CMS, Medicare Physician & Other Practitioners โ by Provider and Service, 2024. Billing and prescribing volume is not a quality rating.
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Medicare Part B services went from 215 in 2020 to 385 in 2024.
Source: CMS, Medicare Physician & Other Practitioners โ by Provider and Service, 2020โ2024.
Practice Location & Contact Primary Location
4383 Medical Dr Ste 126
San Antonio, TX 782293307
Matched by practice address or phone in NPPES. A shared address or phone does not confirm that this clinician works there.
CMS Doctors and Clinicians lists 1 group name: South Texas Oncology And Hematology, Pllc. 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
University Of Texas Medical Branch At Galveston
2009
What Public CMS Data Show
Surgery: NPPES taxonomy is a reported classification, not proof of board certification.
Medicare patients
204 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 โ by Provider, 2024.
Medicare-allowed amount
About $73,520 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 โ by Provider and Service, 2024.
Paid by Medicare
About $56,346 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 โ by Provider and Service, 2024.
30-day fills
293 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
$1,269 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 โ by Provider and Drug, 2024.
Open Payments general payments, program year 2025
All general payments: $16,604.11 across 38 records.
By nature of payment (3 largest of 4)
- Education: $9,300.00 across 7 records.
- Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program: $4,000.00 across 5 records.
- Food and Beverage: $1,655.55 across 22 records.
Reporting-company totals (3 largest of 11)
- INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC.: $14,447.37 across 24 records.
- TELA Bio, Inc.: $1,165.42 across 4 records.
- Stryker Corporation: $146.20 across 2 records.
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
17 years (graduated 2009)
CMS Doctors and Clinicians data list 2009 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
2009
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.
Accepts Medicare assignment
CMS data list this clinician as accepting Medicare assignment. This means agreeing to take the Medicare-approved amount as full payment for covered services.
With Original Medicare, you usually pay only your deductible and coinsurance, and the office sends the claim to Medicare for you.
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, โDoes your provider accept Medicare as full payment?โ
Telehealth (some services)
Recent Medicare claims show this clinician provided some services by telehealth, such as a video or phone visit.
You may be able to have some visits without going to the office. Ask which visits can be done by telehealth.
What this does not show: Telehealth (some services)
It does not mean all services are offered by telehealth, or that telehealth is covered by your plan.
Source: CMS, Telehealth Indicator on Medicare Care Compare (fact sheet, January 2023); CMS Doctors and Clinicians.
Enrolled in Medicare (PECOS)
Dr. Karam 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. Karam 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 San Antonio and Texas
Billing and prescribing volume is not a quality rating.
Medicare Part B services
More Medicare Part B services than 85% of clinicians listed under Surgery in San Antonio, TX (2024, 68 clinicians with data). Median for this group: 118. Middle half: 55 to 252.
More Medicare Part B services than 85% of clinicians listed under Surgery in Texas (2024, 1,113 clinicians with data). Median for this group: 148. Middle half: 72 to 277.
Medicare-allowed amount
A higher Medicare-allowed amount than 90% of clinicians listed under Surgery in San Antonio, TX (2024, 68 clinicians with data). Median for this group: $14,133. Middle half: $6,159 to $30,834.
A higher Medicare-allowed amount than 85% of clinicians listed under Surgery in Texas (2024, 1,113 clinicians with data). Median for this group: $20,825. Middle half: $8,873 to $41,247.
Paid by Medicare
A higher Medicare payment amount than 90% of clinicians listed under Surgery in San Antonio, TX (2024, 68 clinicians with data). Median for this group: $11,022. Middle half: $4,404 to $23,424.
A higher Medicare payment amount than 85% of clinicians listed under Surgery in Texas (2024, 1,113 clinicians with data). Median for this group: $15,568. Middle half: $6,700 to $31,964.
Medicare Part D prescriptions
More Part D prescriptions than 90% of clinicians listed under Surgery in San Antonio, TX (2024, 58 clinicians with data). Median for this group: 78. Middle half: 33 to 177.
More Part D prescriptions than 90% of clinicians listed under Surgery in Texas (2024, 936 clinicians with data). Median for this group: 70. Middle half: 31 to 145.
Part D drug cost
A higher Part D drug cost than 70% of clinicians listed under Surgery in San Antonio, TX (2024, 58 clinicians with data). Median for this group: $590. Middle half: $221 to $1,669.
A higher Part D drug cost than 70% of clinicians listed under Surgery in Texas (2024, 936 clinicians with data). Median for this group: $502. Middle half: $180 to $1,728.
158 active clinicians are listed under Surgery with a practice address in San Antonio, TX (2,193 in Texas).
Addresses are self-reported to NPPES and may be out of date.
Telehealth indicator in San Antonio
7.6% of these 158 clinicians have the CMS telehealth indicator.
50.6% of these 158 clinicians are listed by CMS as accepting Medicare assignment.
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 increased 79% from 215 in 2020 to 385 in 2024.
- 2020: 215
- 2021: 262
- 2022: 246
- 2023: 315
- 2024: 385
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Medicare-allowed amount
Medicare-allowed amount increased 63% from $45,187 in 2020 to $73,520 in 2024.
- 2020: $45,187
- 2021: $53,734
- 2022: $48,564
- 2023: $48,739
- 2024: $73,520
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Paid by Medicare
Paid by Medicare increased 65% from $34,046 in 2020 to $56,346 in 2024.
- 2020: $34,046
- 2021: $40,839
- 2022: $37,089
- 2023: $37,297
- 2024: $56,346
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Medicare Part D prescriptions
Medicare Part D prescriptions increased 173% from 107 in 2020 to 292 in 2024.
- 2020: 107
- 2021: 117
- 2022: 193
- 2023: 254
- 2024: 292
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30-day fills
30-day fills increased 174% from 107 in 2020 to 293 in 2024.
- 2020: 107
- 2021: 117
- 2022: 198
- 2023: 266
- 2024: 293
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Part D drug cost
Part D drug cost went from $694 in 2020 to $1,269 in 2024.
- 2020: $694
- 2021: $807
- 2022: $1,446
- 2023: $1,628
- 2024: $1,269
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Industry payments (Open Payments)
Industry payments (Open Payments) decreased 70% from $56,239.59 in 2021 to $16,604.11 in 2025.
- 2021: $56,239.59
- 2022: $65,291.76
- 2023: $29,618.23
- 2024: $20,852.03
- 2025: $16,604.11
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 ยท 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 โ December 31, 2025): 38 records totaling $16,604.11.
| Manufacturer | Payment Nature | Product | Type | Amount ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC. |
Education
Cash or cash equivalent
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Da Vinci Surgical System | General | $3,000.00 |
| INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC. |
Education
Cash or cash equivalent
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Da Vinci Surgical System | General | $2,000.00 |
| INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC. |
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program
Cash or cash equivalent
|
Da Vinci Surgical System | General | $2,000.00 |
| INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC. |
Education
Cash or cash equivalent
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Da Vinci Surgical System | General | $1,000.00 |
| INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC. |
Education
Cash or cash equivalent
|
Da Vinci Surgical System | General | $1,000.00 |
| INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC. |
Education
Cash or cash equivalent
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Da Vinci Surgical System | General | $1,000.00 |
| INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC. |
Education
Cash or cash equivalent
|
Da Vinci Surgical System | General | $1,000.00 |
| TELA Bio, Inc. |
Travel and Lodging
In-kind items and services
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OviTex Reinforced Bioscaffold With Permanent Polymer (OviTex) | General | $680.20 |
| INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC. |
Travel and Lodging
In-kind items and services
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Da Vinci Surgical System | General | $502.36 |
| INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC. |
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program
Cash or cash equivalent
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Da Vinci Surgical System | General | $500.00 |
| INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC. |
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program
Cash or cash equivalent
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Da Vinci Surgical System | General | $500.00 |
| INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC. |
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program
Cash or cash equivalent
|
Da Vinci Surgical System | General | $500.00 |
| INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC. |
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program
Cash or cash equivalent
|
Da Vinci Surgical System | General | $500.00 |
| TELA Bio, Inc. |
Travel and Lodging
In-kind items and services
|
OviTex Reinforced Bioscaffold With Permanent Polymer (OviTex) | General | $447.00 |
| INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC. |
Education
Cash or cash equivalent
|
Da Vinci Surgical System | General | $300.00 |
| INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC. |
Food and Beverage
Cash or cash equivalent
|
Da Vinci Surgical System | General | $150.00 |
| Davol Inc. |
Food and Beverage
In-kind items and services
|
Phasix Mesh | General | $143.17 |
| Stryker Corporation |
Food and Beverage
In-kind items and services
|
MAKO | General | $136.20 |
| Globus Medical, Inc. |
Food and Beverage
Cash or cash equivalent
|
Senza | General | $132.82 |
| Phathom Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
Food and Beverage
Cash or cash equivalent
|
VOQUEZNA | General | $124.99 |
| ABBVIE INC. |
Food and Beverage
In-kind items and services
|
VRAYLAR | General | $124.99 |
| Dexcom, Inc. |
Food and Beverage
In-kind items and services
|
Dexcom G6 Transmitter | General | $121.78 |
| INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC. |
Food and Beverage
In-kind items and services
|
Da Vinci Surgical System | General | $120.98 |
| GlaxoSmithKline, LLC. |
Food and Beverage
In-kind items and services
|
SHINGRIX | General | $107.82 |
| INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC. |
Food and Beverage
In-kind items and services
|
Da Vinci Surgical System | General | $99.30 |
(top 25 shown)
Source: CMS Open Payments, program year 2025, released June 30, 2026.
Performed Procedures & Service Volume
CPTยฎ is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2016โ2023 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 โ by Provider and Service data, 2017โ2024; 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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99204
New patient office or other outpatient visit with moderate level of medical decision making, if using time, 45 minutes or more
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70 | 70 | $494.48 | $158.35 |
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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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68 | 68 | $329.20 | $105.30 |
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47562
Removal of gallbladder using an endoscope
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32 | 32 | $1901.34 | $594.62 |
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49650
Repair of groin hernia using an endoscope
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32 | 32 | $1250.55 | $526.69 |
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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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30 | 26 | $367.62 | $122.25 |
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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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26 | 22 | $260.34 | $86.61 |
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36415
Insertion of needle into vein for collection of blood sample
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25 | 25 | $26.46 | $8.65 |
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85025
Complete blood cell count (red cells, white blood cell, platelets), automated test and automated differential white blood cell count
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25 | 25 | $23.31 | $7.61 |
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80053
Blood test, comprehensive group of blood chemicals
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24 | 24 | $31.68 | $10.35 |
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99212
Established patient office or other outpatient visit with straightforward medical decision making, if using time, 10 minutes or more
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23 | 23 | $161.39 | $52.00 |
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49593
Initial repair of sliding hernia of abdomen, 3-10 cm in length
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17 | 17 | $1641.78 | $522.95 |
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99205
New patient office or other outpatient visit with a high level of medical decision making, if using time, 60 minutes or more
|
13 | 13 | $638.55 | $210.18 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tramadol Hcl | Tramadol Hcl | 146 | 1,009 | $457.47 | 146 |
| Methocarbamol | Methocarbamol | 61 | 328 | $276.27 | 61 |
| Bethanechol Chloride | Bethanechol Chloride | 35 | 168 | $167.93 | 35 |
| Acetaminophen-Codeine | Acetaminophen With Codeine | 27 | 179 | $266.11 | 27 |
| Tamsulosin Hcl | Tamsulosin Hcl | 23 | 489 | $101.20 | 20 |
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
NUCC Taxonomy Code: 208600000X
A general surgeon has expertise related to the diagnosis - preoperative, operative and postoperative management - and management of complications of surgical conditions in the following areas: alimentary tract; abdomen; breast, skin and soft tissue; endocrine system; head and neck surgery; pediatric surgery; surgical critical care; surgical oncology; trauma and burns; and vascular surgery. General surgeons increasingly provide care through the use of minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques. Many general surgeons also possess expertise in transplantation surgery, plastic surgery and cardiothoracic surgery.
NUCC Taxonomy Code: 390200000X
An individual who is enrolled in an organized health care education/training program leading to a degree, certification, registration, and/or licensure to provide health care.
Medicare (PECOS) Enrollment & Ordering Eligibility
Source: CMS PECOSPRACTITIONER - GENERAL SURGERY
I20150622000509
TX
0749426567
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
South Texas Oncology And Hematology, Pllc
4383 Medical Dr, San Antonio, TX 782293307
Phone: 2105935700
Clinicians Sharing This Practice Address or Phone
Clinicians sharing this NPPES address, phone or fax; a shared contact does not mean they work together.
Radiology - Radiation Oncology
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Internal Medicine - Hematology & Oncology
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S.)
Internal Medicine - Medical Oncology
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Internal Medicine - Hematology & Oncology
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Radiology - Radiation Oncology
Internal Medicine - Medical Oncology
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Career & Practice History Timeline
Changes recorded in monthly NPPES data files: addresses, names, credentials, specialties and NPI status
NPI status registered as active in NPPES database
Registered at 4383 MEDICAL DR STE 126, SAN ANTONIO, TX 782293307 (Tel: 2105935700)
Registered at 4383 MEDICAL DR STE 126, SAN ANTONIO, TX 782293307 (Tel: 2105935700)
Recorded as JOSEPH KARAM, M.D.
Surgery (license number reported to NPPES: TX Q3028)
NPI status registered as active in NPPES database
Registered at 8042 WURZBACH ROAD, SUITE 630, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78229 (Tel: 2106145067)
Registered at 8042 WURZBACH ROAD, SUITE 630, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78229 (Tel: 2106145067)
Recorded as JOSEPH KARAM, M.D.
Surgery (license number reported to NPPES: TX Q3028)
First registered as active Individual Practitioner in NPPES Database.
NPI Administrative Meta
Other Surgery Specialists in San Antonio
- Dr. Bala Viswanathan, MD
- Dr. Craig See, MD
- Dr. Joel Rodriguez, MD
- Dr. Brad Gurwitz, MD
- Dr. Thomas Shary, MD
- Dr. Richard Englehardt, MD
Mailing Address
4383 Medical Dr Ste 126
San Antonio, TX 782293307
Phone: 2105935700