Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Daniel Hightower, M.D.
Radiation Oncology · Visalia, CA
Practice pattern: Mixed Practice
— Diverse clinical practice across multiple procedure types
Very High
DATA COVERAGE
Data in 4 of 4 federal sources
Measures public federal data availability — not provider quality
Informational, not a quality rating.
This page presents federal public records about Dr. Hightower from CMS (NPPES, Open Payments, Medicare Provider Utilization, PECOS). It is not medical advice, an endorsement, or a judgment of clinical quality. Always consult the provider directly and a licensed clinician for medical decisions. Read methodology →
Are you Dr. Hightower?
Request a correction or review of any data shown here. Provider portal →
What this data tells you about Dr. Hightower
Dr. Daniel Hightower is a radiation oncology specialist in Visalia, CA, with 20 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Hightower performed 11,377 Medicare services in 2023. These records do not provide a deduplicated patient total.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Hightower received a total of $7,239 from 25 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 88 payment records. A record can group multiple payments. These transfers are publicly reported through CMS Open Payments. Disclosure alone does not establish their effect on care. A reliable breakdown by payment category is not available in this snapshot. Patients may wish to discuss these relationships with their provider.
The Data Coverage level for Dr. Hightower is Very High — reflecting how much public federal data is available about this provider. Patients are encouraged to use this data as one of several factors when choosing a healthcare provider.
✓ 20 years of NPI registration
▲ Top 17% volume in CA
$7,239 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary — 2023
Medicare Utilization ↗11,377
Medicare services
Top 17% in CA for radiation oncology
Not available
Unique patients (not deduplicated)
$14
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
Top procedures by volume
Ranked by number of services performed for Medicare patients. Avg. submitted charge is what the provider billed; avg. Medicare payment is what CMS paid.
| Procedure | Volume | Avg. paid | Avg. submitted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contrast dye for imaging (iodine-based) A contrast agent containing 300-399 mg/ml of iodine used to enhance imaging studies. It is administered per milliliter to improve the visibility of internal structures. |
5,355 | $0 | $1 |
| MRI contrast dye injection (gadoterate) Administration of gadoterate meglumine, a contrast agent, in a 0.1 ml dose. |
1,915 | $0 | $2 |
| Chest X-ray, 1 view An X-ray image of the chest taken from a single angle. This imaging test is used to visualize the structures within the chest cavity. |
945 | $7 | $24 |
| CT scan of head/brain, without contrast A CT scan uses X-rays to create detailed images of the head or brain without the use of contrast dye. |
269 | $30 | $175 |
| Chest X-ray, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the chest that captures two different angles to visualize the lungs, heart, and chest wall. |
261 | $8 | $29 |
| CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast A CT scan that uses dye to create detailed images of the abdomen and pelvis. This imaging test helps doctors examine internal organs and structures in these areas. |
226 | $65 | $225 |
| Abdominal X-ray, 1 view An X-ray image of the abdomen taken from a single angle to visualize internal structures. |
139 | $7 | $24 |
| CT scan of chest blood vessels with contrast A CT scan that uses contrast dye to create detailed images of the blood vessels in the chest. |
116 | $66 | $270 |
| MRI of lower spine, without contrast A magnetic resonance imaging scan of the lower spinal canal that does not use contrast dye to create detailed images of the spine. |
93 | $120 | $589 |
| MRI scan of brain, without contrast A magnetic resonance imaging test of the brain that does not use contrast dye. This procedure creates detailed images of the brain's structure using magnetic fields and radio waves. |
92 | $81 | $344 |
| Hip X-ray, 2-3 views An X-ray imaging test of the hip joint using two to three different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
84 | $8 | $30 |
| CT scan of chest with contrast A computed tomography scan of the chest using a contrast dye to enhance the visibility of internal structures. |
80 | $40 | $249 |
| Shoulder X-ray, 2+ views An X-ray imaging test of the shoulder joint using at least two different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
71 | $7 | $23 |
| CT scan of head blood vessels with contrast A CT scan that uses contrast dye to create detailed images of the blood vessels in the head. |
70 | $61 | $219 |
| CT scan of neck blood vessels with contrast A computed tomography scan that uses dye to visualize the blood vessels in the neck. This imaging test helps examine the structure and flow within the neck's vascular system. |
66 | $59 | $275 |
| Ultrasound of head and neck blood flow, bilateral An ultrasound exam that uses sound waves to visualize and assess blood flow in the vessels of both the head and the neck. |
64 | $29 | $194 |
| MRI of leg joint, without contrast A magnetic resonance imaging scan of a joint in the leg performed without the use of contrast dye. |
62 | $109 | $417 |
| Pelvis X-ray, 1-2 views An X-ray imaging test of the pelvic area using one to two different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
60 | $6 | $38 |
| CT scan of upper spine, without contrast A CT scan uses X-rays to create detailed images of the upper spine. This procedure is performed without the use of contrast dye. |
59 | $36 | $207 |
| CT scan of chest, without contrast A computed tomography scan of the chest area that uses X-rays to create detailed images without the use of contrast dye. |
56 | $57 | $250 |
| Foot X-ray, 3+ views An X-ray imaging test of the foot that captures at least three different views to evaluate the bones and joints. |
56 | $6 | $31 |
| Ultrasound of arm or leg veins An ultrasound exam of the veins in one arm or leg using compression and other maneuvers to assess blood flow and check for blockages. |
49 | $15 | $85 |
| Complete ultrasound of abdomen A diagnostic imaging test that uses sound waves to create detailed pictures of the organs and structures within the abdomen. |
47 | $26 | $100 |
| CT scan of abdomen and pelvis, without contrast A computed tomography scan that creates detailed images of the abdominal and pelvic organs. The procedure is performed without the use of intravenous contrast dye. |
46 | $78 | $264 |
| Knee X-ray, 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the knee joint that captures three different angles to evaluate the bones and surrounding structures. |
45 | $7 | $32 |
| Knee X-ray, 1-2 views An X-ray imaging test of the knee joint using one to two different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
44 | $6 | $30 |
| MRI of brain with and without contrast An MRI scan of the brain using contrast dye both before and after administration to provide detailed images of brain structures. |
43 | $184 | $672 |
| MRI of arm joint, without contrast An MRI scan uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the arm joint. This specific procedure is performed without the use of a contrast dye. |
43 | $163 | $530 |
| X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views An X-ray imaging test that captures 2 to 3 views of the lower back and sacral spine to visualize the bones and joints in this area. |
40 | $8 | $37 |
| MRI of upper spine without contrast An MRI scan of the upper spinal canal that does not use contrast dye. This imaging test uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the spine. |
40 | $98 | $520 |
| Sacral spine nerve root injection with imaging guidance An injection of anesthetic and/or steroid medication into a sacral spine nerve root. The procedure uses imaging guidance to ensure accurate placement. |
38 | $205 | $866 |
| CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis using contrast dye before and after administration to visualize internal structures. |
38 | $189 | $511 |
| Complete ultrasound of retroperitoneum An ultrasound examination of the structures located behind the abdominal cavity. |
37 | $26 | $100 |
| Sedation by physician, initial 15 minutes Administration of a drug to induce depression of consciousness by the physician performing a procedure. This code covers the initial 15 minutes of sedation for patients aged 5 years or older. |
37 | $10 | $32 |
| X-ray of hand, minimum of 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the hand that captures at least three different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
36 | $6 | $31 |
| Ankle X-ray, minimum 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the ankle that captures at least three different angles to evaluate the bones and joints. |
35 | $6 | $32 |
| Ultrasound of arm or leg veins An ultrasound exam of the veins in the arm or leg. The test uses sound waves to check blood flow and may include compression and other maneuvers. |
34 | $23 | $119 |
| X-ray of lower leg, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the lower leg using two different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
32 | $6 | $29 |
| Ultrasound of leg arteries or grafts An imaging test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the blood vessels in the legs or any surgical grafts present. |
32 | $27 | $166 |
| CT scan of lower spine, without contrast A computed tomography scan that creates detailed images of the lower spine using X-rays without the use of contrast dye. |
30 | $74 | $298 |
| Wrist X-ray, minimum 3 views An imaging test using X-rays to capture at least three different angles of the wrist bones and joints. |
30 | $6 | $32 |
| Low dose CT scan of chest for lung cancer screening A specialized CT scan of the chest using a lower radiation dose to screen for lung cancer. |
29 | $150 | $370 |
| X-ray of thigh bone, minimum 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the thigh bone using at least two different angles to visualize the bone structure. |
28 | $7 | $24 |
| Joint injection, major joint Removal of fluid from a large joint and/or injection of medication into the joint space. |
27 | $47 | $161 |
| Injection into lower spine canal with imaging guidance A procedure where a substance is injected into the lower part of the spinal canal. The injection is performed using imaging guidance to ensure accurate placement. |
24 | $214 | $650 |
| Elbow X-ray, minimum 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the elbow joint that captures at least three different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
23 | $6 | $30 |
| Abdominal X-ray, minimum 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the abdomen that captures at least three different views to visualize internal structures. |
23 | $9 | $35 |
| Swallowing function imaging Imaging used to evaluate how well a person can swallow. This procedure visualizes the swallowing process to assess function. |
21 | $20 | $81 |
| Fluoroscopic guidance for central vein access device Use of live X-ray imaging to guide the placement or removal of a central vein access device. |
20 | $13 | $64 |
| X-ray of forearm, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the forearm using two different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
19 | $5 | $26 |
| X-ray of lower and sacral spine, minimum of 4 views An X-ray imaging test of the lower back and sacrum using at least four different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
18 | $8 | $60 |
| X-ray of upper arm, minimum of 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the upper arm that captures at least two different views to evaluate the bones and surrounding structures. |
18 | $5 | $29 |
| CT scan of face, without contrast A computed tomography scan that creates detailed images of the facial structures. This procedure is performed without the use of intravenous contrast dye. |
17 | $28 | $175 |
| CT scan of leg, without contrast A computed tomography scan of the leg performed without the use of contrast dye. This imaging test uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the leg's internal structures. |
16 | $38 | $207 |
| Nuclear stress test of heart muscle A nuclear medicine imaging test that evaluates blood flow to the heart muscle at rest and during stress using a special camera. |
16 | $57 | $200 |
| Exercise or drug-induced heart stress test with ECG A heart stress test performed using exercise or medication while an electrocardiogram is monitored under physician supervision. |
16 | $17 | $59 |
| Exercise or drug-induced heart stress test with ECG A heart stress test performed using exercise or medication while monitoring the electrocardiogram, with physician review of the results. |
16 | $11 | $36 |
| CT scan of abdominal aorta and leg arteries with contrast A CT scan that uses contrast dye to create detailed images of the abdominal aorta and the arteries in both legs. |
15 | $78 | $315 |
| Limited abdominal ultrasound A focused ultrasound examination of the abdomen to evaluate specific organs or areas. This procedure uses sound waves to create images of internal structures. |
15 | $21 | $86 |
| Injection of anesthetic or steroid into sacroiliac joint with imaging guidance This procedure involves injecting an anesthetic or steroid medication into the joint connecting the lower spine and hip bone. Imaging guidance is used to ensure accurate placement of the injection. |
14 | $140 | $1,046 |
| Spine facet joint injection with imaging guidance, single level An injection is administered into a single facet joint of the lower or sacral spine while using imaging guidance to ensure accurate placement. |
14 | $204 | $460 |
| X-ray of upper spine, 2-3 views An X-ray imaging test of the upper spine using two to three different angles to visualize the bones and structures. |
14 | $8 | $37 |
| X-ray of upper spine, 4-5 views An X-ray imaging test of the upper spine using 4 to 5 different views to visualize the bones and structures in that area. |
13 | $10 | $64 |
| X-ray of both hips, 2 views An X-ray imaging test that captures two views of both hip joints to evaluate bone structure and alignment. |
12 | $7 | $30 |
| CT scan of abdominal and pelvic blood vessels with contrast A computed tomography scan that uses contrast dye to visualize the blood vessels in the abdomen and pelvis. |
12 | $80 | $268 |
| Rib X-ray, minimum 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the ribs on one side of the body. The procedure includes a minimum of three different views to capture detailed images. |
11 | $9 | $40 |
| Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement Use of real-time X-ray imaging to guide the precise placement of a needle during a medical procedure. |
11 | $81 | $193 |
How to read this data: This reflects Medicare patients only (typically 65+). Payment amounts are what Medicare paid the provider, not your out-of-pocket cost. These counts do not measure clinical quality or years of experience.
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$7,239
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $1,034/year across 7 years
Top 10% in CA for radiation oncology
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
25
Companies
88
Payment records
Payments are publicly reported; disclosure does not establish legality · Not evidence of wrongdoing · How to interpret →
Payment categories are unavailable while the source breakdown is being rebuilt. Company and year totals do not identify how much belongs to each category.
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$1,575
2023
$1,365
2022
$570
2021
$272
2020
$175
2019
$1,654
2018
$1,629
Payments by company (2024)
AngioDynamics, Inc.
$960
Bard Peripheral Vascular, Inc.
$150
Boston Scientific Corporation
$138
Medtronic, Inc.
$135
Inari Medical, Inc.
$121
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc
$44
Cook Medical LLC
$27
Top 3 companies account for 79.2% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
AngioDynamics, Inc.
$1,860
Hitachi Healthcare Americas Corp.
$1,188
GE HEALTHCARE
$621
Medtronic, Inc.
$589
Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
$488
Inari Medical, Inc.
$354
Endologix, Inc.
$295
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$225
FUJIFILM Healthcare Americas Corporation
$198
Shockwave Medical, Inc
$168
Ethicon US, LLC
$163
Cook Medical LLC
$161
Bard Peripheral Vascular, Inc.
$150
ABIOMED
$143
Boston Scientific Corporation
$138
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc
$131
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
$119
ARGON MEDICAL DEVICES, INC.
$94
Philips Electronics North America Corporation
$34
Stryker Corporation
$25
Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc.
$25
Sirtex Medical Inc
$22
Abbott Laboratories
$21
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$15
Arrow International, Inc.
$13
Top 3 companies account for 50.7% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
Artis Q.zen · Artis icono floor · BRILINTA · Biograph Horizon · CERTUS 140 MICROWAVE ABLATION SYSTEM · COOK · Cook Medical Catheters · Education MRI · EkoSonic · FLOWTRIEVER CATHETER · FlowTriever · INTELLIS ADAPTIVESTIM · IVS - IVAS · Impella · KYPHON EXPRESS II KYPHOPAK TRAY · Luminos Agile Max · MAGNETOM Aera · MAGNETOM Sola · OASIS · OPTION · OSTEOCOOL RF ABLATION SYSTEM · OnControl · Ovation · PET-CT SCANNER · PROCLAIM · S · S2000 HELX with Touch Control · S3000 HELX with Touch Control · SHOCKWAVE IVL SYSTEM WITH THE SHOCKWAVE C2 CORONARY IVL CATHETER · SIR-Spheres Microspheres · SMART PORT CT · STEGLATRO · SYNCHROMEDII · Sequoia · Smart Port CT · VANTA ADAPTIVESTIM · VenaCure 1470 Pro · Venovo · XARELTO · Ysio Max
Should you be concerned? Industry payments are disclosed through CMS Open Payments. Disclosure alone does not establish their purpose, legality, or effect on care. What matters is whether a recommended drug or device appears in your doctor's payment records. If so, consider asking your doctor about it. How to interpret this data →
Geographic Context
Radiation oncologists in nearby ZIP areas
26
County median income
$69,489
Nearest hospital to ZIP centroid (approximate)
KAWEAH HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER
6.2 mi
6.2 mi
Data Sources
| Provider Registry | ✓ NPPES | NPPES snapshot; verify current record |
| Medicare Enrollment | ✓ PECOS | PECOS snapshot |
| Practice Data | ✓ Medicare Util. | Annual (CY lag) |
| Industry Payments | ✓ Open Payments | CY 2024 |
| Disciplinary History | — Not included | N/A |
This provider has data in 4 of 4 available federal datasets, with a Data Coverage level of Very High. This reflects how much public data is available about a provider. How we calculate this →
Summary
Dr. Hightower is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 17% in CA), with 20 years of NPI registration.
This summary is auto-generated from federal data, describing data availability and patterns. Read our methodology →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dr. Hightower experienced with contrast dye for imaging (iodine-based)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Hightower performed 5,355 contrast dye for imaging (iodine-based) services. These records cover Medicare fee-for-service activity, including eligible younger beneficiaries; they do not measure total practice volume or clinical quality.
Does Dr. Hightower receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Hightower received a total of $7,239 from 25 companies across 88 payment records. A record can group multiple payments. These transfers are publicly disclosed through CMS Open Payments. Disclosure alone does not establish their legality or effect on care. Patients may wish to ask their doctor about these relationships, especially if a recommended drug or device appears in the payment records.
How do Dr. Hightower's costs compare to other radiation oncologists in Visalia?
Dr. Hightower's average Medicare payment per service is $14. Note that these figures represent what Medicare pays, not your out-of-pocket cost, which depends on your specific insurance plan and deductible. Procedure-level data above shows both what was submitted and what Medicare paid for each service type.
What does Data Coverage mean?
Data Coverage (currently Very High for Dr. Hightower) measures how much public federal data is available about a provider. It is not a quality rating. A "Very High" or "High" level means the provider has data across multiple federal sources (NPPES, PECOS, Medicare Utilization, Open Payments), indicating the presence of registry, enrollment, activity or payment records, not verified experience or clinical quality. A "Low" or "Moderate" level may simply mean the provider is newer, does not see Medicare patients, or has not received any industry payments — none of which are inherently negative. Read our full methodology →
Is this data up to date?
Source publication dates and the snapshots loaded on this site can differ. Rebuilding a page does not refresh its source records. Check the Medicare reporting year and the payment interval shown above; consult the linked official sources for newer releases and current registry details. See our data freshness policy →
Explore related providers
Same specialty & city
Radiation Oncologists in Visalia
Browse radiation oncologists in Visalia ranked by procedure volume and transparency data.
Highest volume
Top Radiation Oncologists in CA
Radiation oncologists ranked by total Medicare services performed statewide.
Industry payments
Pharma Payments to Radiation Oncologists in CA
Which CA radiation oncologists receive the most from drug and device companies.
By company
AngioDynamics, Inc. Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from AngioDynamics, Inc.
By company
Hitachi Healthcare Americas Corp. Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from Hitachi Healthcare Americas Corp.
By company
GE HEALTHCARE Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from GE HEALTHCARE.
About this page
This page combines public CMS records with calculated summaries and explanatory procedure labels. These transformations are not verbatim federal records. Sources: NPPES ↗, Open Payments ↗, Medicare Provider Utilization ↗, and PECOS. Publication is mandated by the Physician Payments Sunshine Act (§6002 ACA, 42 U.S.C. §1320a-7h) and the Freedom of Information Act.
This page is not medical advice, an endorsement, a recommendation, or a quality rating. Data Coverage reflects data completeness — how much federal information exists for this provider — not clinical performance, patient outcomes, or quality of care. Always verify information directly with the provider and consult a licensed clinician before making medical decisions.
Provider corrections: Provider portal · Privacy questions: Privacy Policy · Terms: Terms of Use · Methodology: Methodology