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Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD

Accepting New Patients

(526 Ratings)

Specializes in: Adult Pulmonology

Medical College of Wisconsin (1990)

Professional interests include: empyema, foreign bodies, beryllium disease, and more.

9631 N NEVADA STREET SUITE 300
SPOKANE, WA 99218

(509) 944-8971

Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD is a pulmonologist in SPOKANE, WA specializing in adult pulmonology. He graduated from Medical College of Wisconsin in 1990 and has 36 years of experience. Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD is affiliated with Providence.

Office Locations

9631 N NEVADA STREET SUITE 300
SPOKANE, WA 99218

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Some issues Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD can help you with:

CPAP Treatment

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment is a medical treatment for people with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea interrupts breathing during sleep, resulting in lapses of oxygen. Lapses of oxygen may in turn lead to severe headaches, heart problems, fatigue, and poor sleep quality. The CPAP device remedies sleep apnea by forcing open the airway with pressurized air, ensuring someone receives enough oxygen while sleeping. The CPAP device is a mask attached to a machine (with a tube) that takes in air from the surrounding room, filters it, and then pressurizes it. The constant flow of pressurized air treats sleep apnea by keeping the tongue and soft palate from obstructing the throat and airway. Benefits of CPAP treatment include:

Improved concentration and focus
Reduced snoring
Lowered risk of heart disease and stroke
Improved mental health

In order to receive a CPAP device, patients must receive a prescription from a physician. Some patients may be asked to complete an overnight sleep study known as a titration study. A titration study monitors patients' sleep using a mask attached to a CPAP machine. The technician may monitor and adjust the CPAP's air pressure throughout the night. The purpose of a titration study is to determine the appropriate air pressure for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (blocked upper airway). Once an appropriate CPAP pressure is identified, physicians or sleep technicians may recommend a specific brand or style of device to the patient for long-term use.

Lung Issues

Every cell in the body requires oxygen to function and produces carbon dioxide as a waste product. In order to keep the body's tissues constantly supplied with fresh oxygen and to keep waste from building up, the lungs pump air in and out, even while sleeping or unaware. Unfortunately, diseases and disorders affecting the lungs are some of the most common medical problems afflicting people around the world. Some of the most common lung problems include asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and lung cancer.

Asthma is a chronic disease where swollen, inflamed airways make it hard to breathe. It is often brought on by specific triggers. While asthma is a common condition, affecting millions of people, it can also be serious and even fatal in severe cases. Treatment involves avoiding triggers and using inhaled corticosteroid medications.

COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is the name given to two illnesses that both cause difficulty breathing: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In emphysema, the air sacs of the lungs become damaged, while with bronchitis they become clogged with mucus. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. It is almost always caused by breathing irritants into the lungs, such as smoking or heavy pollution.

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by bacteria, a virus, or fungi. Most healthy people recover from pneumonia in a week or two, but for some people pneumonia can be fatal. There are treatments available for pneumonia, but the best treatment is to prevent getting sick in the first place. People who are at risk should make sure they get a flu shot every year. There is also a vaccine available for the type of bacteria that causes pneumonia.

Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells inside the lung grow into a tumor, destroying healthy tissue. Because it is so difficult to detect lung cancer in early stages when it has few symptoms, it is the deadliest form of cancer, responsible for the most cancer deaths both in the U.S. and worldwide. Most lung cancer is caused by exposure to tobacco smoke, but between 10-15% of cases are not linked to smoking.

Some problems with the lungs are minor and are not cause for concern. However if symptoms have lasted for a month or more, even if they are minor, it is worth checking with a healthcare professional. A cough, shortness of breath, or excess mucus production that lingers for weeks are all worth getting looked at.

Lung Transplant

Patients who have very severe lung disease may need a lung transplant. The diseased lung is entirely removed and replaced with a healthy lung, usually donated by a person who died. Either one or both lungs can be transplanted.

Contrary to popular belief, lung transplant is rarely used to treat lung cancer. It is a more common treatment for patients with other advanced lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, sarcoidosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Lung transplant is a serious operation and is generally used as a last resort for patients who have only a short time to live without surgery.

During a transplant, an incision is made on the side of the chest (for a single lung) or in the middle (for both lungs). Patients may be hooked up to a heart-lung bypass machine, which will do the work of moving blood and oxygen through the body during the procedure. After the diseased lung is cut away from the main airway and blood vessels, the donor lung is stitched into place. Surgery may take as long as twelve hours, and a hospital stay of two to three weeks after surgery is not uncommon. For the first hours or day after surgery, patients use a ventilator, or a machine to help them breathe. Tubes will be inserted into the chest to help drain excess air and fluid. During recovery, physical therapy and breathing exercises are used to help the new lung work as well as possible.

Lung capacity is carefully monitored for several months after surgery. Patients who have had a transplant will also have to take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of their lives. These drugs stop the body's immune system from attacking the new lung. The main risks after a transplant are infection and rejection (when the immune system attacks the 'foreign' lung). A healthy lifestyle, including maintaining a diet high in vegetables and lean protein, not smoking, and getting enough exercise, is important to keeping the lungs functioning as well as possible. With proper care, many patients can live ten or even twenty years after a lung transplant.

In The News

“He'll be joined later for audience questions by Dr. Don Howard, a Providence sleep medicine specialist and pulmonary doctor in Spokane.”—"Want advice on getting a good night's sleep? UW expert set to talk in Spokane", The Spokesman-Review, April 2024

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD in 2023

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 10%

By Volume:

home cardiorespiratory sleep study

By Affordability:

cardiorespiratory sleep study

diagnostic sleep study

home cardiorespiratory sleep study

home sleep study

sleep study

In 2023, among providers in related specialties within Washington, Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD performed more home cardiorespiratory (type 3) sleep study procedures for Medicare patients than 90% of them and he also had a list price for cardiorespiratory (type 3) sleep study, diagnostic (regular) sleep study, home cardiorespiratory (type 3) sleep study, home sleep study, and sleep study that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 90% of them. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Top 25%

By Volume:

sleep study

By Affordability:

in-lab polysomnography

in-lab sleep study

polysomnography

In 2012, among providers in related specialties within Washington, Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD performed more sleep study procedures for Medicare patients than 75% of them and he also had a list price for in-lab polysomnography (overnight sleep study), in-lab sleep study, and polysomnography (PSG) that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 75% of them. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD treated as a pulmonologist in SPOKANE, WA during 2012 were hospital care, inpatient care, pulmonary testing and sleep study.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD for Medicare patients.

airway management	44
blood draw	27
doctor visit	533
hospital care	792
inpatient care	792
pulmonary testing	294
sleep study	64
thoracic (chest) imaging	60
X-rays	60

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD treated as a pulmonologist in SPOKANE, WA during 2013 were hospital care, inpatient care, pulmonary testing and sleep study.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD for Medicare patients.

airway management	43
bronchoscopy	12
doctor visit	587
hospital care	571
inpatient care	571
pulmonary testing	241
sleep study	80
thoracic (chest) imaging	48
X-rays	48

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD.

**Gender**
Male	399
Female	369

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	714
Black	0
Hispanic	19
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	16

**Age**
From 65 to 74	345
From 75 to 84	218
85 and over	53
Less than 65	152

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD in 2013

Hypertension	69
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	45
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	23
Heart Failure	35
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	44
Diabetes	40
Dementia	7
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD treated as a pulmonologist in SPOKANE, WA during 2014 were hospital care, inpatient care, pulmonary testing and sleep study.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD for Medicare patients.

airway management	25
blood draw	18
doctor visit	610
hospital care	525
inpatient care	525
pulmonary testing	256
sleep study	49
thoracic (chest) imaging	44
X-rays	44

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD.

**Gender**
Male	394
Female	347

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	684
Black	0
Hispanic	18
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	19

**Age**
From 65 to 74	320
From 75 to 84	212
85 and over	50
Less than 65	159

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD in 2014

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	10
Ischemic Heart Disease	45
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	37
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	22
Heart Failure	34
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	42
Diabetes	39
Dementia	7
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD treated as a pulmonologist in SPOKANE, WA during 2015 were hospital care, inpatient care, pulmonary testing and sleep study.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD for Medicare patients.

airway management	39
blood draw	17
doctor visit	746
hospital care	508
inpatient care	508
pulmonary testing	297
sleep study	82
thoracic (chest) imaging	73
X-rays	73

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD.

**Gender**
Male	848
Female	810

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1540
Black	0
Hispanic	44
Asian	22
Other	0
Native American	28

**Age**
From 65 to 74	684
From 75 to 84	514
85 and over	124
Less than 65	336

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD in 2015

Hypertension	66
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	42
Depression	31
Chronic Kidney Disease	36
Asthma	31
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	21
Heart Failure	32
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	42
Diabetes	35
Dementia	9
Cancer	16

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD treated as a pulmonologist in SPOKANE, WA during 2016 were hospital care, inpatient care, pulmonary testing and sleep study.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD for Medicare patients.

airway management	32
blood draw	14
catheterization	12
doctor visit	789
hospital care	415
inpatient care	415
pulmonary testing	409
sleep study	86
thoracic (chest) imaging	60
X-rays	60

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD.

**Gender**
Male	429
Female	437

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	793
Black	0
Hispanic	23
Asian	0
Other	15
Native American	19

**Age**
From 65 to 74	403
From 75 to 84	242
85 and over	55
Less than 65	166

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD in 2016

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	43
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	47
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	19
Heart Failure	34
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	43
Diabetes	36
Dementia	9
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD treated as a pulmonologist in SPOKANE, WA during 2017 were pulmonary testing, hospital care, inpatient care and sleep study.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD for Medicare patients.

airway management	32
doctor visit	960
hospital care	362
inpatient care	362
pulmonary testing	452
sleep study	110
thoracic (chest) imaging	59
X-rays	59

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD.

**Gender**
Male	455
Female	468

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	846
Black	0
Hispanic	16
Asian	0
Other	20
Native American	20

**Age**
From 65 to 74	402
From 75 to 84	294
85 and over	62
Less than 65	165

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD in 2017

Hypertension	69
High Cholesterol	50
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	44
Depression	31
Chronic Kidney Disease	41
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	21
Heart Failure	34
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	41
Diabetes	36
Dementia	8
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD treated as a pulmonologist in SPOKANE, WA during 2018 were pulmonary testing, hospital care, inpatient care and sleep study.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD for Medicare patients.

airway management	47
blood draw	11
doctor visit	944
hospital care	364
inpatient care	364
pulmonary testing	403
sleep study	158

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD.

**Gender**
Male	422
Female	439

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	808
Black	0
Hispanic	15
Asian	0
Other	15
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	358
From 75 to 84	309
85 and over	62
Less than 65	132

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD in 2018

Hypertension	67
High Cholesterol	50
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	41
Depression	31
Chronic Kidney Disease	38
Asthma	17
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	19
Heart Failure	31
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	41
Diabetes	39
Dementia	9
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD treated as a pulmonologist in SPOKANE, WA during 2019 were pulmonary testing, hospital care, inpatient care and sleep study.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD for Medicare patients.

airway management	36
doctor visit	904
hospital care	222
inpatient care	222
pulmonary testing	368
sleep study	117

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD.

**Gender**
Male	377
Female	391

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	710
Black	0
Hispanic	15
Asian	0
Other	14
Native American	15

**Age**
From 65 to 74	335
From 75 to 84	269
85 and over	54
Less than 65	110

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD in 2019

Hypertension	66
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	38
Depression	31
Chronic Kidney Disease	37
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	19
Heart Failure	32
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	39
Diabetes	35
Dementia	8
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	609

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD.

**Gender**
Male	201
Female	172

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	344
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	12
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	176
From 75 to 84	120
85 and over	19
Less than 65	58

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD in 2020

Hypertension	57
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	31
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	34
Dementia	6
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	495

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD.

**Gender**
Male	200
Female	152

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	321
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	17
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	160
From 75 to 84	120
85 and over	16
Less than 65	56

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD in 2021

Hypertension	64
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	30
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	34
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	33
Dementia	5
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD treated as a pulmonologist in SPOKANE, WA during 2022 were sleep study and airway management.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD for Medicare patients.

airway management	14
doctor visit	468
sleep study	110

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD.

**Gender**
Male	240
Female	202

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	412
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	13
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	215
From 75 to 84	148
85 and over	26
Less than 65	53

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD in 2022

Hypertension	73
High Cholesterol	72
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	22
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	23
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	24
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	35
Dementia	3
Cancer	17

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD treated as a pulmonologist in SPOKANE, WA were hospital care, inpatient care, pulmonary testing and sleep study.

airway management	34
blood draw	17
bronchoscopy	12
catheterization	12
doctor visit	695
hospital care	469
inpatient care	469
pulmonary testing	340
sleep study	95
thoracic (chest) imaging	57
X-rays	57

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD.

**Gender**
Female	344
Male	360

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	2
Non-Hispanic White	652
Hispanic	13
Native American / Alaskan Native	10
Other	9

**Age**
85 and over	47
75 to 84	222
Less than 65	126
65 to 74	308

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and diabetes.

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	34
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	32
Asthma	17
Osteoporosis	7
Heart Failure	25
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	30
Diabetes	32
Atrial Fibrillation	17
Dementia	6
Cancer	12

Education & Training

Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD graduated from Medical College of Wisconsin in 1990. He completed residency at Wilford Hall Medical Center. He is certified by the American Board of Sleep Medicine, Sleep Medicine and has a state license in Washington.

Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin (1990)

Residency: Wilford Hall Medical Center (1993)

Board Certification: American Board of Sleep Medicine, Sleep Medicine

Licensed In: Washington

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Providence

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Molina Healthcare, Medicare Advantage, Providence, Amerigroup, TriWest, Medicaid, Kaiser Permanente, Premera PPO, InterWest Health, Asuris Northwest Health, First Choice PPO, Coordinated care WA Apple Health, ChoiceHumana PPO and Community Health Plan of Washington WA Apple Health.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

Molina Healthcare

Medicare Advantage

Providence

Amerigroup

TriWest

Medicaid

Kaiser Permanente

Premera PPO

InterWest Health

Asuris Northwest Health

First Choice PPO

Coordinated care WA Apple Health

ChoiceHumana PPO

Community Health Plan of Washington WA Apple Health

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.96 out of 5 stars based on 526 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in SPOKANE, WA.

4.96

Overall Rating

(526 Ratings)

Leave a Review

Reviews From Around The Web

Overall Rating: 5.0 2026-02-12

Patient verified via Press Ganey

Dr Howard, has been a breath of fresh air concerning my previous medical diagnoses. He Immediately went to work on getting me re- diagnosed. He ordered a new over night Sleep study. I returned to his office and we together went through all the results and he determine that I did not have Central Sleep Apnea. I was burdened with this wrong diagnosis for 2 1/2 yrs. Dr Howard changed my machine to normal cpap I'm doing great and now my outlook on life is a wonderful thing. Prior to me being excepted as a new patient to Dr Howard's practice, I was turned down by 3 or 4 other Sleep Doctors practices. All of these medical practices were advertising that they were excepting new patients! They all received my original referral and then they contacted me to say that they decided that their practice's was no longer taking new patient!I now only see Dr Howard once a year. Through this journey of mine, I've learned that you have to be your own advocate!

Overall Rating: 5.0 2025-11-25

Patient verified via Press Ganey

Sleep Study appointment with Dr. Howard. Staff was welcoming, efficient and caring. Dr. Howard was up to speed on medical history, as relating to our appointment. Covered and discussed medications, and previous cardiologist appointments, including heart palpitations. Also discussed sleep history and information. Dr. Howard actively listened and commented on what was discussed. He was very knowledgeable, polite, and empathetic. Overall Dr. Howard and his staff provided an above average experience, boarder line exceptional. Honestly, I can not think of what they reasonably could have done differently that would have made the experience exceptional. Great job all!

Overall Rating: 5.0 2025-06-07

Patient verified via Press Ganey

I am always pleased with my visits at Dr. Howard's office. Dr. Howard is very thorough and easy to talk to when I have a problem About my Narcolepsy, etc. It is comfortable Feeling in having an appointment with Dr. Howard & I can look forward to it because I know I will receive the best care possible. His staff treats me like I am important. All of the above items should be expected with a doctor's appointment. I understand how busy everyone is, beginning with the front desk. Each patient is unique and it has been my experience that we are treated as such. Thank you for listening today!

Overall Rating: 5.0 2023-05-27

Patient verified via Press Ganey

Excellent care and help starting and becoming used to my CPAP machine. Dr. Howard's explanations and analysis of my use and how it's going is extremely important and valuable to me! Some of the early questions in this survey just don't fit the nature of the three month's use of the CPAP with its integral telemetry providing both Dr. Howard's office and me with daily recording and analysis of my usage and its successful functioning. It is literally an every single day "testing" and "results with analysis" system. Truly the future of all medical care processes.

Overall Rating: 4.0 2023-06-10

Patient verified via Press Ganey

As a snoresI wanted to purchase a snore guard but I was told I had to have a sleep study done before that could be done. My primary care doc had ordered the sleep study.Informational letter explained this would just be an evaluation for sleep apnea. Dr Howard thoroughly explained the questions he asked, drew diagrams to explain the anatomy of what he visualized in my mouth/throat compared to other oral cavities. Also discussed my family history with heart disease, snorers and a sister with sleep apnea. After this an at home sleep monitoring was ordered.

Overall Rating: 5.0 2024-03-03

Patient verified via Press Ganey

I feel like Dr. Howard really listened to me and asked the right questions to get a good understanding of what I'm going through. I've spent 20 years struggling to stay awake during the day and all of the providers that I have seen check my labs and since they are normal I am blown off and told that it is "just stress" and I am offered nothing to help or to probe further. Dr. Howard actually listened, asked questions, and offered me hope for the first time in over 25 years. It was so refreshing and I appreciate it so much.

Overall Rating: 5.0 2024-01-25

Patient verified via Press Ganey

We discussed my sleep apnea history and current situation in detail. He asked questions about all my sleep and personal habits to verify my overall health and well-being. We examined the overnight sleep record provided by my CPAP machine and what each important term and measurement meant to my health. He is easy to understand and very thorough. He makes me feel very comfortable with my apnea health. His nurse was thorough and careful when checking my vitals and medicines. The receptionists were fun and helpful at check-in.

Overall Rating: 5.0 2024-03-25

Patient verified via Press Ganey

I had to wait many, many months for this sleep study consultation and I am now waiting on a call to schedule the actual sleep study in a lab. That is my only complaint and I totally understand it is because of a lack of providers and sleep study beds in our community. Dr. Howard was amazing. He listened and validated my concerns as has given me much hope that he will be able to provide appropriate treatment once I am able to complete the sleep study and he can provide an accurate diagnosis.

Overall Rating: 5.0 2024-08-26

Patient verified via Press Ganey

It takes forever to get in for an appointment, other than that everyone is great. Dr. Howard is great at asking the right questions to get an accurate understanding of what was going on with me and I finally felt heard after decades of having providers be so dismissive. He explains things very well and takes the time to ensure that all of my questions were answered. I can't tell you how nice it is to finally have answers and a treatment plan that will help me to get my life back.

Overall Rating: 5.0 2025-04-01

Patient verified via Press Ganey

My experience was very good but some of these questions don't directly apply to my visit. "The Provider" is not my usual primary care doctor, or on my cardiology team, but a referral to further investigate my heart problems. "The Provider" was an obvious extra link in this chain of people trying to help me, and I appreciated his help. He was very understanding and explained the next steps in my march toward better health in very understandable terms. Thank you.

To see all 526 reviews for Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD, view their full profile.

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Omeros Corporation	$3,825 $3,825
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.	$565 TRELEGY ELLIPTA $167	ANORO $159	BREO $157	INCRUSE $49	NUCALA $32
Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.	$213 Brovana $138	Lonhala Magnair $59	UTIBRON $15
Genentech USA, Inc.	$145 Esbriet $50	$94
Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.	$127 Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation System $127
Other	$579 inCourage $53	Zecuity $36	Wellcentive Undiv $34	SYMBICORT $30	DALIRESP $28	Other $397

**Types of Payments**
Consulting Fee	$3,825
Food and Beverage	$1,621
Education	$7

Research Payments

Dr. Donald S. Howard, MD has received 3 research payments totaling $22,045.

Biography

Dr. Don Howard's areas of specialization are sleep medicine and adult pulmonology. He attended Medical College of Wisconsin for medical school and subsequently trained at Wilford Hall Medical Center for residency. Clinical interests for Dr. Howard include airway obstruction, paralysis, and tracheal stenosis. He has received a 5.0 out of 5 star rating by his patients. He is in-network for several insurance carriers, including Amerigroup, Molina Healthcare, and Providence. Dr. Howard is professionally affiliated with Providence. Doctor.com reports that he is accepting new patients at his office in SPOKANE, WA.