Prescriber Checkup

19% of this provider’s 388 patients 65 and older filled at least one prescription for a potentially inappropriate drug, compared to an average of 12%.

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Opioids

26% of this provider’s 429 patients filled at least one prescription for an opioid, compared to an average of 19%.

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Brand Name Drugs

18% of this provider’s prescriptions were for brand-name drugs, compared to an average of 21%.

Prescription Price

$69 was the average price of a prescription from this provider, compared to $60 among peers.

Prescriptions per Patient

28 is the average number of prescriptions (including refills) per patient, compared to an average of 16.

How This Provider’s Patients Compare

Doctors often say their patients are sicker or more complex than those of their peers. The measure displayed below, used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, takes into account patients’ characteristics to estimate whether they are expected to have above-average Medicare spending. It considers patients’ age, sex, diagnoses from the past year and other factors. This provider’s score below takes into account all patients.

This Provider's History

A comparison of this provider’s prescribing in Part D since 2012. All years may not be shown if there is insufficient data.

Cost of Claims

$507K

2012

$511K

2013

$615K

2014

$810K

2015

Number of Claims

11,780

2012

13,476

2013

12,294

2014

11,812

2015

This Prescriber's Drugs

The table below list this provider’s drugs, the number of prescriptions and how many went to seniors. Drugs are ranked by volume and compared with the rank for all providers in the same specialty and state. The list below includes only those drugs for which this provider wrote 50 or more prescriptions.

					This Drug's Rank
Drug Name	Total Prescriptions Filled with Refills	Prescriptions to 65+	Patients Receiving this Drug	Category	For this Prescriber	For this Prescriber's Peers
LEVOTHYROXINE SODIUM Levothyroxine, a thyroid ho... + Levothyroxine, a thyroid hormone, is used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Source: National Library of Medicine	730 prescriptions, 6% of all prescriptions	715 prescriptions.	133 patients, 31% of all patients		1	1
LISINOPRIL Treats high blood pressure ... + Treats high blood pressure and heart failure. Source: National Library of Medicine	360 prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions	325 prescriptions.	83 patients, 19% of all patients		2	2
FUROSEMIDE Treats fluid retention (ede... + Treats fluid retention (edema) and high blood pressure (hypertension). Source: National Library of Medicine	343 prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions	331 prescriptions.	74 patients, 17% of all patients		3	5
OMEPRAZOLE Treats heartburn, stomach u... + Treats heartburn, stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and conditions that cause your stomach to make too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, endocrine tumors, and systemic mastocytosis. Source: National Library of Medicine	316 prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions	262 prescriptions.	68 patients, 16% of all patients		4	3
SIMVASTATIN Treats high cholesterol and... + Treats high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Source: National Library of Medicine	284 prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions	279 prescriptions.	65 patients, 15% of all patients		5	4
LOSARTAN POTASSIUM Losartan is used alone or i... + Losartan is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Source: National Library of Medicine	266 prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions	261 prescriptions.	54 patients, 13% of all patients		6	15
HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN Used to relieve moderate to... + Used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Source: National Library of Medicine	258 prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions	225 prescriptions.	51 patients, 12% of all patients	O	7	7
ATENOLOL Treats high blood pressure ... + Treats high blood pressure and angina (chest pain). Source: National Library of Medicine	257 prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions	242 prescriptions.	46 patients, 11% of all patients		8	24
POTASSIUM CHLORIDE Potassium is needed to main... + Potassium is needed to maintain good health. Source: National Library of Medicine	255 prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions	241 prescriptions.	59 patients, 14% of all patients		9	11
AMLODIPINE BESYLATE Amlodipine is used alone or... + Amlodipine is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure and chest pain (angina). Source: National Library of Medicine	237 prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions	232 prescriptions.	48 patients, 11% of all patients		10	6
WARFARIN SODIUM Warfarin is used to prevent... + Warfarin is used to prevent blood clots from forming or growing larger in your blood and blood vessels. Source: National Library of Medicine	237 prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions	214 prescriptions.	31 patients, 7% of all patients		10	10
ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM Treats high cholesterol and... + Treats high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Source: National Library of Medicine	233 prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions	221 prescriptions.	50 patients, 12% of all patients		12	8
PANTOPRAZOLE SODIUM Pantoprazole is used to tre... + Pantoprazole is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which backward flow of acid from the stomach causes heartburn and possible injury of the esophagus (the tube between the throat and stomach). Source: National Library of Medicine	214 prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions	188 prescriptions.	48 patients, 11% of all patients		13	19
HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE Used alone or together with... + Used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure and fluid retention (edema). Source: National Library of Medicine	197 prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions	192 prescriptions.	51 patients, 12% of all patients		14	12
METOPROLOL TARTRATE Metoprolol is used alone or... + Metoprolol is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Source: National Library of Medicine	142 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	120 prescriptions.	25 patients, 6% of all patients		15	14
GABAPENTIN Treats certain types of sei... + Treats certain types of seizures. Source: National Library of Medicine	140 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	125 prescriptions.	30 patients, 7% of all patients		16	13
OXYCODONE HCL Oxycodone is used to reliev... + Oxycodone is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Source: National Library of Medicine	131 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	97 prescriptions.	17 patients, 4% of all patients	O	17	41
METFORMIN HCL Metformin is used alone or ... + Metformin is used alone or with other medications, including insulin, to treat type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and, therefore, cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood). Source: National Library of Medicine	125 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	105 prescriptions.	30 patients, 7% of all patients		18	9
ESCITALOPRAM OXALATE Escitalopram is used to tre... + Escitalopram is used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder (excessive worry and tension that disrupts daily life and lasts for 6 months or longer). Source: National Library of Medicine	125 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	108 prescriptions.	25 patients, 6% of all patients		18	25
CLOPIDOGREL Helps prevent stroke, heart... + Helps prevent stroke, heart attack, and other heart problems. Source: National Library of Medicine	124 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	119 prescriptions.	23 patients, 5% of all patients		20	29
ALLOPURINOL Treats gout and some kinds ... + Treats gout and some kinds of kidney stones. Source: National Library of Medicine	119 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	119 prescriptions.	28 patients, 7% of all patients		21	23
METOPROLOL SUCCINATE Metoprolol is used alone or... + Metoprolol is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Source: National Library of Medicine	116 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	111 prescriptions.	29 patients, 7% of all patients		22	16
TRAMADOL HCL Tramadol is used to relieve... + Tramadol is used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain. Source: National Library of Medicine	116 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	111 prescriptions.	33 patients, 8% of all patients	O	22	21
METFORMIN HCL ER Metformin is used alone or ... + Metformin is used alone or with other medications, including insulin, to treat type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and, therefore, cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood). Source: National Library of Medicine	115 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	100 prescriptions.	30 patients, 7% of all patients		24	46
QUETIAPINE FUMARATE Quetiapine is used to treat... + Quetiapine is used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia (a mental illness that causes disturbed or unusual thinking, loss of interest in life, and strong or inappropriate emotions). Source: National Library of Medicine	114 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	97 prescriptions.	12 patients, 3% of all patients	P	25	44
PRAVASTATIN SODIUM Pravastatin is used with di... + Pravastatin is used with diet, weight-loss, and exercise to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke and to decrease the chance that heart surgery will be needed in people who have heart disease or who are at risk of developing heart disease. Source: National Library of Medicine	113 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	108 prescriptions.	24 patients, 6% of all patients		26	22
LORAZEPAM Treats anxiety, anxiety wit... + Treats anxiety, anxiety with depression, and insomnia (trouble sleeping). Source: National Library of Medicine	105 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	70 prescriptions.	23 patients, 5% of all patients		27	26
TAMSULOSIN HCL Tamsulosin is used in men t... + Tamsulosin is used in men to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) which include difficulty urinating (hesitation, dribbling, weak stream, and incomplete bladder emptying), painful urination, and urinary frequency and urgency. Source: National Library of Medicine	102 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	97 prescriptions.	27 patients, 6% of all patients		28	20
ALENDRONATE SODIUM Alendronate is used to trea... + Alendronate is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily) in women who have undergone menopause (''change of life,'' end of menstrual periods) and to treat osteoporosis in men. Source: National Library of Medicine	101 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	101 prescriptions.	20 patients, 5% of all patients		29	40
CARVEDILOL Treats high blood pressure ... + Treats high blood pressure and congestive heart failure (CHF). Source: National Library of Medicine	101 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	96 prescriptions.	22 patients, 5% of all patients		29	33
PAROXETINE HCL Paroxetine tablets, suspens... + Paroxetine tablets, suspension (liquid), and extended-release (long-acting) tablets are used to treat depression, panic disorder (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks), and social anxiety disorder (extreme fear of interacting with others or performing in front of others that interferes with normal life). Source: National Library of Medicine	98 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	93 prescriptions.	16 patients, 4% of all patients		31	83
TRIAMTERENE-HYDROCHLOROTHIAZID Used to treat high blood pr... + Used to treat high blood pressure and edema (fluid retention; excess fluid held in body tissues) in patients who have lower amounts of potassium in their bodies or for whom low potassium levels in the body could be dangerous. Source: National Library of Medicine	94 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	89 prescriptions.	18 patients, 4% of all patients		32	49
SERTRALINE HCL Sertraline is used to treat... + Sertraline is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (bothersome thoughts that won't go away and the need to perform certain actions over and over), panic attacks (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks), posttraumatic stress disorder (disturbing psychological symptoms that develop after a frightening experience), and social anxiety disorder (extreme fear of interacting with others or performing in front of others that interferes with normal life). Source: National Library of Medicine	93 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	56 prescriptions.	19 patients, 4% of all patients		33	17
LEVOFLOXACIN Levofloxacin is used to tre... + Levofloxacin is used to treat certain infections such as pneumonia, chronic bronchitis and sinus, urinary tract, kidney, prostate (a male reproductive gland), and skin infections. Source: National Library of Medicine	92 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	73 prescriptions.	56 patients, 13% of all patients	A	34	138
ALPRAZOLAM Treats anxiety, panic disor... + Treats anxiety, panic disorder, insomnia (trouble sleeping), and anxiety caused by depression. Source: National Library of Medicine	89 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	76 prescriptions.	23 patients, 5% of all patients		35	34
MELOXICAM Treats symptoms of osteoart... + Treats symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA). Source: National Library of Medicine	85 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	80 prescriptions.	25 patients, 6% of all patients		36	27
MIRTAZAPINE Treats depression. + Treats depression. Source: National Library of Medicine	84 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	84 prescriptions.	12 patients, 3% of all patients		37	45
PROAIR HFA Treats or prevents bronchos... + Treats or prevents bronchospasm in patients with asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, and other lung diseases. Source: National Library of Medicine	80 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	58 prescriptions.	24 patients, 6% of all patients		38	43
RANITIDINE HCL Ranitidine is used to treat... + Ranitidine is used to treat ulcers; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which backward flow of acid from the stomach causes heartburn and injury of the food pipe (esophagus); and conditions where the stomach produces too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Source: National Library of Medicine	80 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	46 prescriptions.	14 patients, 3% of all patients		38	56
AZITHROMYCIN Treats infections caused by... + Treats infections caused by certain bacteria. Source: National Library of Medicine	75 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	64 prescriptions.	61 patients, 14% of all patients	A	40	53
LOSARTAN-HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE This drug is used to treat ... + This drug is used to treat high blood pressure. Source: National Library of Medicine	73 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	73 prescriptions.	11 patients, 3% of all patients		41	55
PREDNISONE Treats inflammation (swelli... + Treats inflammation (swelling), severe allergies, complications of chronic illnesses, and other medical problems. Source: National Library of Medicine	71 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	66 prescriptions.	36 patients, 8% of all patients		42	32
TRAZODONE HCL Trazodone is used to treat ... + Trazodone is used to treat depression. Source: National Library of Medicine	71 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	66 prescriptions.	13 patients, 3% of all patients		42	28
BYSTOLIC Treats high blood pressure.... + Treats high blood pressure. Source: National Library of Medicine	68 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	63 prescriptions.	16 patients, 4% of all patients		44	78
BACLOFEN Treats muscle spasms caused... + Treats muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury or disease. Source: National Library of Medicine	67 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	44 prescriptions.	15 patients, 3% of all patients		45	81
CEPHALEXIN Treats bacterial infections... + Treats bacterial infections. Source: National Library of Medicine	64 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	59 prescriptions.	57 patients, 13% of all patients	A	46	89
LEVETIRACETAM Used to help control certai... + Used to help control certain types of seizures caused by epilepsy. Source: National Library of Medicine	64 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	52 prescriptions.	<11		46	100
GLIPIZIDE ER Glipizide is used along wit... + Glipizide is used along with diet and exercise, and sometimes with other medications, to treat type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and, therefore, cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood). Source: National Library of Medicine	64 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	64 prescriptions.	<11		46	90
GEMFIBROZIL Lowers high triglyceride an... + Lowers high triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Source: National Library of Medicine	63 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	58 prescriptions.	16 patients, 4% of all patients		49	93
OXYCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN Used to relieve moderate to... + Used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Source: National Library of Medicine	62 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	40 prescriptions.	13 patients, 3% of all patients	O	50	30
SUCRALFATE Treats ulcers and other sto... + Treats ulcers and other stomach problems. Source: National Library of Medicine	62 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	57 prescriptions.	19 patients, 4% of all patients		50	93
ZOLPIDEM TARTRATE Zolpidem is used to treat i... + Zolpidem is used to treat insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep). Source: National Library of Medicine	61 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	56 prescriptions.	20 patients, 5% of all patients	R	52	35
DULOXETINE HCL Duloxetine is used to treat... + Duloxetine is used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; excessive worry and tension that disrupts daily life and lasts for 6 months or longer). Source: National Library of Medicine	61 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	56 prescriptions.	15 patients, 3% of all patients		52	38
CARBIDOPA-LEVODOPA The combination of levodopa... + The combination of levodopa and carbidopa is used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and Parkinson's-like symptoms that may develop after encephalitis (swelling of the brain) or injury to the nervous system caused by carbon monoxide poisoning or manganese poisoning. Source: National Library of Medicine	61 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	50 prescriptions.	11 patients, 3% of all patients		52	120
SPIRONOLACTONE Treats fluid retention (ede... + Treats fluid retention (edema) in patients with congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, or nephrotic syndrome. Source: National Library of Medicine	61 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	56 prescriptions.	13 patients, 3% of all patients		52	50
SPIRIVA Prevents the symptoms of br... + Prevents the symptoms of bronchospasm caused by emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Source: National Library of Medicine	61 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	61 prescriptions.	<11		52	48
GLIMEPIRIDE Treats type 2 diabetes. Use... + Treats type 2 diabetes. Source: National Library of Medicine	60 prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions	60 prescriptions.	12 patients, 3% of all patients		57	66
FINASTERIDE Treats an enlarged prostate... + Treats an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) in men and causes hair growth in male pattern baldness. Source: National Library of Medicine	57 prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions	43 prescriptions.	18 patients, 4% of all patients		58	74
MONTELUKAST SODIUM Montelukast is used to prev... + Montelukast is used to prevent wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and coughing caused by asthma. Source: National Library of Medicine	55 prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions	50 prescriptions.	11 patients, 3% of all patients		59	39
DONEPEZIL HCL Donepezil is used to treat ... + Donepezil is used to treat dementia (a brain disorder that affects the ability to remember, think clearly, communicate, and perform daily activities and may cause changes in mood and personality) associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD; a brain disease that slowly destroys the memory and the ability to think, learn, communicate and handle daily activities). Source: National Library of Medicine	54 prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions	54 prescriptions.	<11		60	31
ZETIA Lowers cholesterol in your ... + Lowers cholesterol in your blood. Source: National Library of Medicine	52 prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions	52 prescriptions.	<11		61	92
CYCLOBENZAPRINE HCL Cyclobenzaprine, a muscle r... + Cyclobenzaprine, a muscle relaxant, is used with rest, physical therapy, and other measures to relax muscles and relieve pain and discomfort caused by strains, sprains, and other muscle injuries. Source: National Library of Medicine	51 prescriptions, 0% of all prescriptions	29 prescriptions.	19 patients, 4% of all patients	R	62	68

About This Data

Prescribing data from Medicare’s prescription drug benefit, known as Part D, was compiled and released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency that oversees the program. The data for 2015 includes more than 1.4 billion prescriptions written by nearly 1.4 million doctors, nurses and other providers. This database lists about 447,000 of those providers who wrote 50 or more prescriptions for at least one drug that year. More than three-fourths of these prescriptions went to patients 65 and older; the rest were for disabled patients. Methodology »

Incorrect Info?

If you are a provider and you believe your address is incorrect, check the listing you created on the National Provider Identifier registry. If you change your listing, send a note to [email protected] and we will update your information. If you have other questions about this data, send a note to [email protected].

Caveats

No comparisons are shown if there are fewer than 20 prescribers in the state share this specialty.
Comparisons do not take into account the medical conditions of patients. Medications for certain conditions do not have generic alternatives, so patients would receive more expensive brand name drugs.
This provider's address and specialty information was last updated on Sept. 4, 2008.
Comparisons are based on each provider’s current address, not necessarily where he or she worked during the time period covered in this database.
In rare circumstances, providers' prescription tallies may be inflated. Sometimes providers are credited with prescriptions written by colleagues (this happens in long-term care facilities) or are victims of fraud involving theft of their provider number.

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Prescriber Checkup

The Doctors and Drugs in Medicare Part D

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JOHN THURSTON M.D.

Worland | Wyoming | 82401

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Antipsychotics

This provider prescribed antipsychotics to at least one but fewer than 11 patients who are 65 and older, so Medicare redacted the exact figure. Comparisons are not shown.

Antibiotics

Risky Drugs for Seniors

Opioids

Brand Name Drugs

Prescription Price

Prescriptions per Patient

Cost of Claims

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Caveats