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Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD

(Dr. Joel Dow Starnes III, PH.D.)

(No ratings)

Specializes in: Adult Nephrology
Professional interests include: cardiorenal syndrome, diabetes insipidus, polycystic kidney disease, and more.
3506 21st Street Suite 607
Lubbock, TX 79410

Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD is a nephrologist in Lubbock, TX specializing in adult nephrology. Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD is affiliated with Providence.

View Doctor's Full Profile (806) 725-4134

Office Locations

Providence

3506 21st Street Suite 607
Lubbock, TX 79410
(806) 725-4134
open_in_new

Some issues Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD can help you with:

Dialysis

Dialysis is a procedure that replicates renal (kidney) function by filtering patients' blood. When kidneys do not work properly, waste can accumulate in the blood and unbalanced chemicals can impair the body's critical functions. In order to stay healthy, a person without proper kidney function must receive dialysis. There are two forms of dialysis treatment: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Both forms of dialysis are recurring treatments that in many cases last throughout the lifetime of the affected patient. Patients who briefly lose renal function may slowly reduce the frequency of dialysis sessions until their kidneys recover. However, most patients who start on dialysis remain on dialysis for the rest of their lives or until they receive a kidney transplant.

A number of conditions can worsen renal function and lead to end-stage or acute kidney failure. When kidneys fail (i.e. nearly 90 percent of their function is lost), dialysis is typically prescribed. Conditions that cause chronic kidney failure (eventually requiring dialysis) include:

  • Type 1 and 2 Diabetes
  • Pyelonephritis, recurring kidney infection
  • Glomerulonephritis, inflammation of the kidney's filtering parts
  • Polycystic kidney disease
  • Interstitial nephritis, inflammation of the kidney's tubules
  • High blood pressure
  • Vesicoureteral reflux, improper bladder emptying

For hemodialysis (the more common form of dialysis), a patient will visit a hospital or clinic and be connected to a dialysis machine by a needle attached to a tube that draws blood from the arm. The drawn blood is transferred to the dialysis machine, where it is filtered and separated until clean. Waste products from the blood pass into a fluid called dialysate, which is pumped out of the machine into a waste receptacle. The machine also measures and helps ensure the blood has the appropriate level of fluid, electrolytes, and pH. A tube delivers the cleaned blood back into the patient's body. A dialysis session like this will typically last for three to four hours, with a patient undergoing dialysis around three times per week.

A second method of dialysis is known as peritoneal dialysis. Unlike hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis can be performed at home by oneself after an initial surgery. To start, a physician (generally a surgeon) will make a small incision in the lower abdomen and insert and surgically attach a catheter (thin tube). At home, the patient connects a pump to the abdomen catheter, delivering dialysate (dialysis fluid) from a bag hanging on a wheeled stand. This fluid enters the peritoneal cavity (greater abdomen area containing the stomach, liver, and intestines) and collects waste through osmosis, where waste in the blood moves across a membrane and into the dialysate. This process continues for several hours until the fluid concentration is equal between the blood and dialysate, at which point the fluid can be drained. The fluid can then be passed through a machine called a cycler, which removes waste and allows for the dialysate to be reused. This process is repeated about four times per day. Dialysis patients must limit the amount of fluid they consume prior to receiving dialysis and should also avoid eating salty foods. The cycler cannot filter more than a certain amount of waste products from the blood.

Kidneys are important organs, and dialysis treatments are vital for those with renal dysfunction. For many, dialysis is not so much a medical procedure but a part of their normal life.

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD in 2023

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

Top 10%

By Affordability:

renal panel
uric acid blood test
uric acid test

In 2023, Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD had a list price for renal (kidney) panel, uric acid blood test, and uric acid test that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 90% of providers in related specialties within Texas. 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:

hemodialysis

By Affordability:

complete blood count

In 2012, among providers in related specialties within Texas, Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD performed more hemodialysis procedures for Medicare patients than 75% of them and he also had a list price for complete blood count (CBC) 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. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD treated as a nephrologist in Lubbock, TX during 2012 were hospital care, inpatient care and dialysis.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD for Medicare patients.

dialysis 313
doctor visit 923
hospital care 1601
inpatient care 1601

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD treated as a nephrologist in Lubbock, TX during 2013 were hospital care, inpatient care and dialysis.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD for Medicare patients.

dialysis 104
doctor visit 372
hospital care 1679
inpatient care 1679

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD.

Gender
Male 273
Female 268
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 331
Black 0
Hispanic 160
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 169
From 75 to 84 159
85 and over 77
Less than 65 136

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD in 2013

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 68
Stroke 10
Ischemic Heart Disease 72
Depression 31
Chronic Kidney Disease 75
Asthma 10
Osteoperosis 9
Atrial Fibrilation 20
Heart Failure 67
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 31
Diabetes 62
Dementia 16
Cancer 9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD treated as a nephrologist in Lubbock, TX during 2014 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 436
hospital care 1470
inpatient care 1470

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD.

Gender
Male 293
Female 297
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 367
Black 0
Hispanic 154
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 192
From 75 to 84 152
85 and over 101
Less than 65 145

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD in 2014

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 67
Stroke 9
Ischemic Heart Disease 66
Depression 34
Chronic Kidney Disease 75
Asthma 14
Osteoperosis 9
Atrial Fibrilation 17
Heart Failure 64
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 30
Diabetes 60
Dementia 18
Cancer 11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD treated as a nephrologist in Lubbock, TX during 2015 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 401
hospital care 1685
inpatient care 1685

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD.

Gender
Male 592
Female 482
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 610
Black 0
Hispanic 344
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 316
From 75 to 84 338
85 and over 124
Less than 65 296

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD in 2015

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 72
Stroke 10
Ischemic Heart Disease 71
Depression 31
Chronic Kidney Disease 75
Asthma 23
Osteoperosis 7
Atrial Fibrilation 16
Heart Failure 66
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 30
Diabetes 67
Dementia 20
Cancer 9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD treated as a nephrologist in Lubbock, TX during 2016 were hospital care, inpatient care and lab tests.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 415
hospital care 1745
inpatient care 1745
lab tests 12

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD.

Gender
Male 281
Female 268
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 317
Black 0
Hispanic 170
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 169
From 75 to 84 152
85 and over 76
Less than 65 152

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD in 2016

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 72
Stroke 10
Ischemic Heart Disease 69
Depression 37
Chronic Kidney Disease 75
Asthma 33
Osteoperosis 9
Atrial Fibrilation 16
Heart Failure 64
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 28
Diabetes 64
Dementia 23
Cancer 6

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD treated as a nephrologist in Lubbock, TX during 2017 were hospital care, inpatient care and lab tests.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 432
hospital care 1651
inpatient care 1651
lab tests 76

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD.

Gender
Male 295
Female 276
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 336
Black 0
Hispanic 177
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 183
From 75 to 84 160
85 and over 76
Less than 65 152

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD in 2017

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 73
Stroke 11
Ischemic Heart Disease 69
Depression 34
Chronic Kidney Disease 75
Asthma 14
Osteoperosis 10
Atrial Fibrilation 19
Heart Failure 65
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 29
Diabetes 65
Dementia 21
Cancer 8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD treated as a nephrologist in Lubbock, TX during 2018 were hospital care, inpatient care and lab tests.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 371
hospital care 1455
inpatient care 1455
lab tests 167

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD.

Gender
Male 266
Female 275
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 312
Black 40
Hispanic 177
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 170
From 75 to 84 148
85 and over 66
Less than 65 157

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD in 2018

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 75
Stroke 9
Ischemic Heart Disease 67
Depression 35
Chronic Kidney Disease 75
Asthma 11
Osteoperosis 12
Atrial Fibrilation 21
Heart Failure 66
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 30
Diabetes 65
Dementia 18
Cancer 8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD treated as a nephrologist in Lubbock, TX during 2019 were hospital care, inpatient care and lab tests.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 291
hospital care 1397
inpatient care 1397
lab tests 111

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD.

Gender
Male 270
Female 262
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 307
Black 0
Hispanic 175
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 163
From 75 to 84 138
85 and over 73
Less than 65 158

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD in 2019

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 75
Stroke 12
Ischemic Heart Disease 74
Depression 41
Chronic Kidney Disease 75
Asthma 13
Osteoperosis 12
Atrial Fibrilation 19
Heart Failure 69
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 33
Diabetes 68
Dementia 20
Cancer 8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD treated as a nephrologist in Lubbock, TX during 2020 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 212
hospital care 1368
inpatient care 1368

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD.

Gender
Male 238
Female 227
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 263
Black 0
Hispanic 158
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 148
From 75 to 84 123
85 and over 50
Less than 65 144

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD in 2020

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 75
Stroke 8
Ischemic Heart Disease 70
Depression 40
Chronic Kidney Disease 75
Asthma 14
Osteoperosis 11
Atrial Fibrilation 19
Heart Failure 69
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 31
Diabetes 68
Dementia 23
Cancer 9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD treated as a nephrologist in Lubbock, TX during 2021 were hospital care, inpatient care, dialysis and lab tests.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD for Medicare patients.

blood draw 20
dialysis 116
doctor visit 251
hospital care 823
inpatient care 823
lab tests 20

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD.

Gender
Male 178
Female 173
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 215
Black 0
Hispanic 109
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 104
From 75 to 84 102
85 and over 47
Less than 65 98

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD in 2021

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 75
Stroke 14
Ischemic Heart Disease 68
Depression 32
Chronic Kidney Disease 75
Asthma 9
Osteoperosis 11
Atrial Fibrilation 21
Heart Failure 63
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 27
Diabetes 65
Dementia 23
Cancer 9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD treated as a nephrologist in Lubbock, TX during 2022 were hospital care, inpatient care, dialysis and hemofiltration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD for Medicare patients.

blood draw 18
dialysis 186
doctor visit 317
hemofiltration 42
hospital care 567
inpatient care 567
lab tests 38

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD.

Gender
Male 181
Female 152
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 198
Black 0
Hispanic 102
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 110
From 75 to 84 91
85 and over 53
Less than 65 79

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD in 2022

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 75
Stroke 16
Ischemic Heart Disease 64
Depression 31
Chronic Kidney Disease 75
Asthma 16
Osteoperosis 15
Atrial Fibrilation 33
Heart Failure 57
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 30
Diabetes 67
Dementia 16
Cancer 12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD treated as a nephrologist in Lubbock, TX were hospital care, inpatient care, dialysis and lab tests.

blood draw 19
dialysis 179
doctor visit 401
hemofiltration 42
hospital care 1403
inpatient care 1403
lab tests 70

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD.

Gender
Male 260
Female 243
Ethnicity
Black / African American 3
Asian / Pacific Islander 0
Non-Hispanic White 296
Native American / Alaskan Native 0
Hispanic 156
Other 0
Age
75 to 84 142
85 and over 67
Less than 65 137
65 to 74 156

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD treated were chronic kidney disease, hypertension, high cholesterol and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension 68
High Cholesterol 66
Stroke 9
Ischemic Heart Disease 62
Depression 31
Chronic Kidney Disease 68
Asthma 14
Osteoporosis 9
Heart Failure 59
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 27
Diabetes 59
Atrial Fibrillation 18
Cancer 8
Dementia 18

Education & Training

He completed residency at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and has a state license in Texas.

Residency: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (2005)

Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Nephrology

Licensed In: Texas

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD 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. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Aetna Medicare, BlueCross BlueShield of Texas, Superior Health Plan, Humana Medicare Advantage, WellCare, Medicare Advantage, TriWest, MultiPlan, Texas True Choice, Amerigroup, United Healthcare, Great-West Healthcare, Galaxy Health Network, Medicaid, Cigna, Community Care Network (CCN), Molina Healthcare, TRICARE, Accountable Health Plans, HealthSmart, First Health, Beech Street, WellPoint, Presbyterian Commercial, Universal American HMO PPO PFFS, Covenant Employees Self-Funded - Baylor Scott and White, Covenant Health Advantage MA Offered by BSWHP, BCBS NM COUPE, Presbyterian Other Commercial Exchange, BCBS NM Turquoise Care, OMNI, Texas Mutual Workers Compensation Limited Providers, CapStar, Baylor Scott and White Health Plan HMO PPO Exchange, Presbyterian NM Turquoise Care, Baylor Scott and White Health Plan Premier, Aetna Choice POS II Covenant Employees, Aetna West Texas Preferred, BCBS NM PPO, Wayland Baptist Student Athletes, Wayland Baptist Imagine Health Commercial, Care Improvement Plus Medicare Special Needs SRPN and Imagine Health Commercial Wayland Baptist University.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD accepts the following insurance providers:

Aetna Medicare
BlueCross BlueShield of Texas
Superior Health Plan
Humana Medicare Advantage
WellCare
Medicare Advantage
TriWest
MultiPlan
Texas True Choice
Amerigroup
United Healthcare
Great-West Healthcare
Galaxy Health Network
Medicaid
Cigna
Community Care Network (CCN)
Molina Healthcare
TRICARE
Accountable Health Plans
HealthSmart
First Health
Beech Street
WellPoint
Presbyterian Commercial
Universal American HMO PPO PFFS
Covenant Employees Self-Funded - Baylor Scott and White
Covenant Health Advantage MA Offered by BSWHP
BCBS NM COUPE
Presbyterian Other Commercial Exchange
BCBS NM Turquoise Care
OMNI
Texas Mutual Workers Compensation Limited Providers
CapStar
Baylor Scott and White Health Plan HMO PPO Exchange
Presbyterian NM Turquoise Care
Baylor Scott and White Health Plan Premier
Aetna Choice POS II Covenant Employees
Aetna West Texas Preferred
BCBS NM PPO
Wayland Baptist Student Athletes
Wayland Baptist Imagine Health Commercial
Care Improvement Plus Medicare Special Needs SRPN
Imagine Health Commercial Wayland Baptist University

Ratings & Reviews

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Joel D. Starnes III, MD, PHD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

Payments by Company
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. $1,416 JYNARQUE
$897 		SAMSCA
$519
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP $902 FARXIGA
$561 		LOKELMA
$341
Relypsa, Inc. $429 VELTASSA
$429
Amgen Inc. $343 Parsabiv
$215 		Tavneos
$127
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. $270 Kerendia
$270
Other $2,791 ACTHAR
$722 		KRYSTEXXA
$329 		Auryxia
$227 		Velphoro
$178 		ENTRESTO
$141 		Other
$1,195
Types of Payments
Food and Beverage $6,070
Education $81

Biography

Dr. Joel Starnes is a medical specialist in adult nephrology. Areas of expertise for Dr. Starnes include polycystic kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, and edema (swelling from fluid retention). Dr. Starnes takes Amerigroup, Blue California, and HealthSmart, in addition to other insurance carriers. He is a graduate of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine. Dr. Starnes's medical residency was performed at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. He is professionally affiliated with Providence.

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