FDFairDoctor.org
Doctor vs Doctor Decision Tool

Dr. Howes vs Dr. Kostov

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: 1801074661

Dr. Gregory Howes, MD

Neurosurgery ยท Roanoke, VA

Consultation Time32 minIn-Depth (30-40 mins)
Markup Level2.57xModerate Markup
Annual Visits632Total volume
The Rushed Visit Index

Thorough Listener

~32 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.

Doctor Option BNPI: 1154528776

Dr. Dean Kostov, MD

Neurosurgery ยท Newport News, VA

Consultation Time36 minIn-Depth (30-40 mins)
Markup Level2.56xModerate Markup
Annual Visits1,164Total volume
The Rushed Visit Index

Thorough Listener

~36 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.

๐ŸŽฏ Patient Verdict: Key Differences at a Glance

Face-to-Face Patient Listening:

Dr. Kostov averages 4 more minutes per appointment than Dr. Howes. If you prioritize extensive discussion and question time, Dr. Kostov offers a more unhurried experience.

Pricing & Out-of-Pocket Risk:

Dr. Kostov has a lower billing markup (2.56x vs. 2.57x). Patients with high deductibles or out-of-network coverage will likely incur lower balance bills with Dr. Kostov.

Shared Clinical Procedures & Charges Comparison

Procedure DescriptionDr. Howes ChargeDr. Kostov ChargeStandard Baseline
Medical Procedure HCPCS $NaN$NaN$369
Medical Procedure HCPCS $NaN$NaN$199
Medical Procedure HCPCS $NaN$NaN$80
Medical Procedure HCPCS $NaN$NaN$34
Medical Procedure HCPCS $NaN$NaN$59
Medical Procedure HCPCS $NaN$NaN$248
Medical Procedure HCPCS $NaN$NaN$723
Medical Procedure HCPCS $NaN$NaN$85