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Doctor vs Doctor Decision Tool

Dr. Ames vs Dr. Aryan

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.

Doctor Option ANPI: 1265485155

Dr. Christopher Ames, MD

Neurosurgery · San Francisco, CA

Consultation Time35 minIn-Depth (30-40 mins)
Markup Level7.11xHigh Markup
Annual Visits1,459Total volume
The Rushed Visit Index

Thorough Listener

~35 min face-time

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.

Financial Protection Alert

Higher Out-of-Pocket Billing Risk

This practice submits charges that average 7.1 times customary allowable rates. If you have not met your annual health insurance deductible, or if this doctor is out-of-network with your health plan, you may face significant balance billing.

3 Steps to Protect Your Wallet:
  • Confirm network status: Call your insurer to confirm this specific physician and office address are in-network.
  • Request in-network labs: Before blood draws or biopsies, ask the nurse to send samples exclusively to an in-network commercial laboratory.
  • Ask for a written estimate: Under the No Surprises Act, you are legally entitled to a Good Faith Estimate if you are self-pay or out-of-network.
Doctor Option BNPI: 1992867329

Dr. Henry Aryan, MD, FACS, FAANS

Neurosurgery · Fresno, CA

Consultation Time49 minExtended Visits (40+ mins)
Markup Level5.18xHigh Markup
Annual Visits4,942Total volume
The Rushed Visit Index

Thorough Listener

~49 min face-time

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.

Financial Protection Alert

Higher Out-of-Pocket Billing Risk

This practice submits charges that average 5.2 times customary allowable rates. If you have not met your annual health insurance deductible, or if this doctor is out-of-network with your health plan, you may face significant balance billing.

3 Steps to Protect Your Wallet:
  • Confirm network status: Call your insurer to confirm this specific physician and office address are in-network.
  • Request in-network labs: Before blood draws or biopsies, ask the nurse to send samples exclusively to an in-network commercial laboratory.
  • Ask for a written estimate: Under the No Surprises Act, you are legally entitled to a Good Faith Estimate if you are self-pay or out-of-network.

🎯 Patient Verdict: Key Differences at a Glance

Face-to-Face Patient Listening:

Dr. Aryan averages 14 more minutes per appointment than Dr. Ames. If you prioritize extensive discussion and question time, Dr. Aryan offers a more unhurried experience.

Pricing & Out-of-Pocket Risk:

Dr. Aryan has a lower billing markup (5.18x vs. 7.11x). Patients with high deductibles or out-of-network coverage will likely incur lower balance bills with Dr. Aryan.

Shared Clinical Procedures & Charges Comparison

Procedure DescriptionDr. Ames ChargeDr. Aryan ChargeStandard Baseline
Medical Procedure HCPCS $NaN$NaN$278
Medical Procedure HCPCS $NaN$NaN$150
Medical Procedure HCPCS $NaN$NaN$74
Medical Procedure HCPCS $NaN$NaN$314
Medical Procedure HCPCS $NaN$NaN$110
Medical Procedure HCPCS $NaN$NaN$953
Medical Procedure HCPCS $NaN$NaN$727
Medical Procedure HCPCS $NaN$NaN$92