Dr. Schmoker vs Dr. Kirshner
Make an informed decision based on verified clinical facts. See which doctor spends more time listening in the exam room and charges fair prices aligned with standard insurance baselines.
Dr. Joseph Schmoker, MD
Thoracic Surgery · Missoula, MT
Thorough Listener
Consistently devotes longer face-to-face evaluations. Ideal for complex medical concerns, multiple symptoms, or patients who value comprehensive discussion without feeling rushed.
How is appointment length calculated?
Visit durations reflect official documentation standards for Evaluation and Management (E/M) office billing codes (CPT 99202 through 99215).
Physicians who bill higher-level comprehensive visits (such as 99214 and 99215) consistently spend 30 to 45 minutes reviewing complex records and discussing care plans, whereas routine refill clinics predominantly bill briefer level 2 and 3 codes.
Dr. Drew Kirshner, M.D.
Thoracic Surgery · Kalispell, MT
Thorough Listener
Consistently devotes longer face-to-face evaluations. Ideal for complex medical concerns, multiple symptoms, or patients who value comprehensive discussion without feeling rushed.
How is appointment length calculated?
Visit durations reflect official documentation standards for Evaluation and Management (E/M) office billing codes (CPT 99202 through 99215).
Physicians who bill higher-level comprehensive visits (such as 99214 and 99215) consistently spend 30 to 45 minutes reviewing complex records and discussing care plans, whereas routine refill clinics predominantly bill briefer level 2 and 3 codes.
Aligned with Customary Rates
This physician's billed charges remain close to standard insurance allowable rates (within 2.5 times baseline). Patients visiting this practice rarely encounter extreme out-of-pocket price inflation.
🎯 Patient Verdict: Key Differences at a Glance
Dr. Kirshner averages 18 more minutes per appointment than Dr. Schmoker. If you prioritize extensive discussion and question time, Dr. Kirshner offers a more unhurried experience.
Dr. Kirshner has a lower billing markup (2.33x vs. 3.17x). Patients with high deductibles or out-of-network coverage will likely incur lower balance bills with Dr. Kirshner.
Shared Clinical Procedures & Charges Comparison
| Procedure Description | Dr. Schmoker Charge | Dr. Kirshner Charge | Standard Baseline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Procedure HCPCS | $NaN | $NaN | $221 |
| Medical Procedure HCPCS | $NaN | $NaN | $57 |
| Medical Procedure HCPCS | $NaN | $NaN | $16 |
| Medical Procedure HCPCS | $NaN | $NaN | $113 |
| Medical Procedure HCPCS | $NaN | $NaN | $2,282 |
| Medical Procedure HCPCS | $NaN | $NaN | $1,787 |
| Medical Procedure HCPCS | $NaN | $NaN | $1,348 |
| Medical Procedure HCPCS | $NaN | $NaN | $2,045 |