Dr. Richard Schaefer , M.D.
High MarkupHigher Out-of-Pocket Billing Risk
This practice submits charges that average 4.1 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.
- 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.
Balanced Practice
Maintains a steady clinical rhythm balancing focused physical examination with patient discussion.
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.
Appointment Length & Visit Style
Clinical appointment coding analysis across standard patient evaluations
Dr. Schaefer provides standard-duration consultations averaging approximately 27 minutes per visit, aligned with typical medical practice guidelines.
Pricing Transparency & Fee Comparison
How this provider bills compared to standard insurance benchmarks
⚠️ Price Outlier Warning: Dr. Schaefer's submitted charges are significantly higher than peer medians (over 4.14x the baseline standard). If you receive treatment out-of-network or without insurance, you could face substantial bills. Confirm in-network participation with your health plan prior to booking.
Verified Clinical Procedures & Surgical Focus
Official annual procedure volumes, customary fee comparisons, and clinical focus areas.
| Clinical Procedure & Code | Annual Services | Doctor Charge | Peer Norm | Standard Baseline | vs. Peer Norm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HCPCS J3301 | 293 | $18.71 | $6.00 | $1.05 | 3.12x |
CPT 99213 | 135 | $285.50 | $168.44 | $95.48 | 1.69x |
CPT 20610 | 116 | $351.23 | $221.85 | $85.40 | 1.58x |
HCPCS J7323 | 92 | $726.25 | $361.67 | $127.45 | 2.01x |
CPT 99213 | 68 | $285.50 | $168.44 | $69.96 | 1.69x |
CPT 99203 | 61 | $410.13 | $234.50 | $120.20 | 1.75x |
CPT 20610 | 45 | $353.58 | $221.85 | $60.04 | 1.59x |
CPT 99214 | 36 | $413.07 | $245.00 | $136.82 | 1.69x |
Other Orthopedic Surgery Doctors in District of Columbia
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👨⚕️ Physician & Medical Billing Intelligence (Click to view professional coding data)Expand ↓
This section provides clinical practice analytics for healthcare administrators, billing coders, and peer physicians evaluating practice benchmarks:
Estimated appointment time calculation: 27 minutes. Indicates the proportion of high-complexity (99205/99215) vs. moderate-complexity (99204/99214) documentation relative to national specialty peers.
Gross charge multiplier: 4.14x. Useful for fee schedule alignment, out-of-network charge master analysis, and payer contract negotiations.
Patient Guidance: What to Ask Before Your Appointment
- In-Network Confirmation: Confirm directly with your insurance plan that Dr. Schaefer participates in your specific network tier.
- Surgical Facility Fees: If having surgery, verify whether it will be in a hospital or an outpatient surgery center. Facility charges are billed separately from physician fees.
- Written Estimates: If you are paying out of pocket or have a high deductible, request a written good-faith estimate before major treatments.