Prescriber Checkup
The Doctors and Drugs in Medicare Part D
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GALE SMOLEN M.D.
At A Glance: This Prescriber in 2015
Self-Reported Primary Specialty
Rank: 1 out of 172
Rank: 5 out of 172
How Does This Prescriber Compare to Peers?
In the same specialty and state. Caveats »
this specialty
in Oregon lower than average
Antipsychotics
Comparisons are not shown because this provider has fewer than 100 patients who are 65 and older.
28 of this provider’s 44 patients who are 65 and older filled at least one prescription for an antipsychotic drug.
Antibiotics
0% of this provider’s 245 patients filled at least one prescription for an antibiotic drug, compared to an average of 1%.
Risky Drugs for Seniors
This provider prescribed potentially inappropriate drugs to at least one but fewer than 11 patients who are 65 and older, so Medicare redacted the exact figure. Comparisons are not shown.
Opioids
0% of this provider’s 245 patients filled at least one prescription for an opioid, compared to an average of 3%.
Brand Name Drugs *
11% of this provider’s prescriptions were for brand-name drugs, compared to an average of 11%.
* This is an estimate, see our methodology.
Prescription Price
$104 was the average price of a prescription from this provider, compared to $100 among peers.
Prescriptions per Patient
27 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
$758K
2012
$756K
2013
$758K
2014
$677K
2015
Number of Claims
6,093
2012
6,909
2013
6,324
2014
6,514
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.
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An opioid drug. More » Prescription opioids (painkillers) can help alleviate certain kinds of pain in the short term but carry serious health risks.
An antibiotic drug. More » Used to treat bacterial infections but are often prescribed incorrectly to treat viral infections, such as chest colds or the flu.
An antipsychotic drug. More » Antipsychotics are frequently given to dementia patients, though it increases their risk of death.
A risky drug for seniors. More » The American Geriatrics Society has said this drug is "potentially dangerous" for seniors and might be inappropriate.
This provider is among the top 10 prescribers of this drug in the country.
This provider’s prescriptions for this drug were for more days than those of peers. More » Because of this, his or her prescription count may be lower.
This provider’s prescriptions for this drug were for fewer days than those of peers. More » Because of this, his or her prescription count may be higher.
This Drug's Rank
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Drug Name | Total Prescriptions Filled with Refills |
Prescriptions to 65+ |
Patients Receiving this Drug | Category | For this Prescriber | For this Prescriber's Peers |
CLONAZEPAM
Treats seizures, panic diso... + Treats seizures, panic disorder, and anxiety. Source: National Library of Medicine |
507
prescriptions, 8% of all prescriptions |
68
prescriptions. |
52
patients, 21% of all patients |
1 | 1 | |
OLANZAPINE
Treats psychotic mental dis... + Treats psychotic mental disorders, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness). Source: National Library of Medicine |
350
prescriptions, 5% of all prescriptions |
134
prescriptions. |
37
patients, 15% of all patients |
P | 2 | 6 |
TRAZODONE HCL
Trazodone is used to treat ... + Trazodone is used to treat depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
342
prescriptions, 5% of all prescriptions |
81
prescriptions. |
48
patients, 20% of all patients |
3 | 4 | |
LORAZEPAM
Treats anxiety, anxiety wit... + Treats anxiety, anxiety with depression, and insomnia (trouble sleeping). Source: National Library of Medicine |
278
prescriptions, 4% of all prescriptions |
67
prescriptions. |
43
patients, 18% of all patients |
4 | 5 | |
LAMOTRIGINE
Treats certain types of sei... + Treats certain types of seizures and mood disorders. Source: National Library of Medicine |
276
prescriptions, 4% of all prescriptions |
92
prescriptions. |
30
patients, 12% of all patients |
5 | 3 | |
RISPERIDONE
Treats schizophrenia and ce... + Treats schizophrenia and certain problems caused by bipolar disorder. Source: National Library of Medicine |
250
prescriptions, 4% of all prescriptions |
32
prescriptions. |
26
patients, 11% of all patients |
P | 6 | 7 |
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 |
213
prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions |
68
prescriptions. |
21
patients, 9% of all patients |
7 | 15 | |
CITALOPRAM HBR
Citalopram is used to treat... + Citalopram is used to treat depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
208
prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions |
82
prescriptions. |
23
patients, 9% of all patients |
8 | 16 | |
PRAZOSIN HCL
Prazosin is used alone or i... + Prazosin is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Source: National Library of Medicine |
179
prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions |
31
prescriptions. |
22
patients, 9% of all patients |
9 | 26 | |
DIVALPROEX SODIUM ER
Treats seizures (epilepsy).... + Treats seizures (epilepsy). Source: National Library of Medicine |
176
prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions |
23
prescriptions. |
22
patients, 9% of all patients |
10 | 18 | |
BUSPIRONE HCL
Buspirone is used to treat ... + Buspirone is used to treat anxiety disorders or in the short-term treatment of symptoms of anxiety. Source: National Library of Medicine |
172
prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions |
36
prescriptions. |
19
patients, 8% of all patients |
11 | 23 | |
VENLAFAXINE HCL ER
Venlafaxine is used to trea... + Venlafaxine is used to treat depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
163
prescriptions, 3% of all prescriptions |
77
prescriptions. |
12
patients, 5% of all patients |
12 | 14 | |
CLOZAPINE
Treats schizophrenia. Also ... + Treats schizophrenia. Source: National Library of Medicine |
154
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
14
prescriptions. |
<11 | P | 13 | 8 |
SEROQUEL XR
Treats schizophrenia and sy... + Treats schizophrenia and symptoms of bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness). Source: National Library of Medicine |
151
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
18
prescriptions. |
21
patients, 9% of all patients |
P | 14 | 30 |
BENZTROPINE MESYLATE
Treats symptoms of Parkinso... + Treats symptoms of Parkinson's disease or side effects of other drugs. Source: National Library of Medicine |
150
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
24
prescriptions. |
23
patients, 9% of all patients |
R | 15 | 9 |
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 |
134
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
42
prescriptions. |
15
patients, 6% of all patients |
16 | 11 | |
ALPRAZOLAM
Treats anxiety, panic disor... + Treats anxiety, panic disorder, insomnia (trouble sleeping), and anxiety caused by depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
129
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
23
prescriptions. |
16
patients, 7% of all patients |
17 | 17 | |
FLUOXETINE HCL
Fluoxetine is used to treat... + Fluoxetine 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), some eating disorders, and panic attacks (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks). Source: National Library of Medicine |
124
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
33
prescriptions. |
15
patients, 6% of all patients |
18 | 12 | |
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 |
121
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
31
prescriptions. |
12
patients, 5% of all patients |
P | 19 | 2 |
BUPROPION XL
Bupropion (Aplenzin, Wellbu... + Bupropion (Aplenzin, Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL) is used to treat depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
117
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
53
prescriptions. |
15
patients, 6% of all patients |
20 | 13 | |
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 |
110
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
33
prescriptions. |
11
patients, 4% of all patients |
21 | 27 | |
PROPRANOLOL HCL
Propranolol is used to trea... + Propranolol is used to treat high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, heart disease, pheochromocytoma (tumor on a small gland near the kidneys), and certain types of tremor. Source: National Library of Medicine |
108
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
13
prescriptions. |
11
patients, 4% of all patients |
22 | 37 | |
ZIPRASIDONE HCL
Used to treat the symptoms ... + 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 |
106
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
24
prescriptions. |
14
patients, 6% of all patients |
P | 23 | 21 |
DEXTROAMPHETAMINE-AMPHETAMINE
The combination is used as ... + The combination is used as part of a treatment program to control symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children. Source: National Library of Medicine |
102
prescriptions, 2% of all prescriptions |
0
prescriptions. |
11
patients, 4% of all patients |
24 | 38 | |
HALOPERIDOL*
Treats symptoms of mental a... + Treats symptoms of mental and emotional disorders. Source: National Library of Medicine |
95
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
5
prescriptions. |
13
patients, 5% of all patients |
P | 25 | 25 |
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 |
93
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
30
prescriptions. |
14
patients, 6% of all patients |
26 | 10 | |
ABILIFY
Treats schizophrenia, bipol... + Treats schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
90
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
39
prescriptions. |
17
patients, 7% of all patients |
P | 27 | 22 |
DIAZEPAM
Treats anxiety, muscle spas... + Treats anxiety, muscle spasms, seizures, and other medical conditions. Source: National Library of Medicine |
84
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
5
prescriptions. |
12
patients, 5% of all patients |
28 | 42 | |
BUPROPION HCL SR
Bupropion (Aplenzin, Wellbu... + Bupropion (Aplenzin, Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL) is used to treat depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
78
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
0
prescriptions. |
<11 | 29 | 28 | |
ARIPIPRAZOLE
Treats schizophrenia, bipol... + Treats schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. Source: National Library of Medicine |
70
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
32
prescriptions. |
19
patients, 8% of all patients |
P | 30 | 24 |
LOXAPINE |
70
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
20
prescriptions. |
<11 | P | 30 | 49 |
DIVALPROEX SODIUM
Treats seizures (epilepsy).... + Treats seizures (epilepsy). Source: National Library of Medicine |
69
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
17
prescriptions. |
12
patients, 5% of all patients |
32 | 19 | |
HYDROXYZINE PAMOATE
Treats anxiety, tension, ne... + Treats anxiety, tension, nervousness, nausea, vomiting, allergies, skin rash, hives, and itching. Source: National Library of Medicine |
65
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
5
prescriptions. |
<11 | R | 33 | 44 |
CARBAMAZEPINE
Treats different types of s... + Treats different types of seizures. Source: National Library of Medicine |
61
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
0
prescriptions. |
11
patients, 4% of all patients |
34 | 51 | |
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 |
60
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
12
prescriptions. |
<11 | R | 35 | 29 |
LITHIUM CARBONATE
Lithium is used to treat an... + Lithium is used to treat and prevent episodes of mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood) in people with bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder; a disease that causes episodes of depression, episodes of mania, and other abnormal moods). Source: National Library of Medicine |
58
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
23
prescriptions. |
<11 | 36 | 35 | |
INVEGA SUSTENNA
Used to treat the symptoms ... + Used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia. Source: National Library of Medicine |
56
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
17
prescriptions. |
<11 | P | 37 | 43 |
LITHIUM CARBONATE ER
Lithium is used to treat th... + Lithium is used to treat the manic episodes of bipolar disorder. Source: National Library of Medicine |
54
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
5
prescriptions. |
<11 | 38 | 33 | |
PERPHENAZINE
Treats the symptoms of cert... + Treats the symptoms of certain mental disorders. Source: National Library of Medicine |
52
prescriptions, 1% of all prescriptions |
5
prescriptions. |
13
patients, 5% of all patients |
P | 39 | 34 |
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 July 8, 2007.
- 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.