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Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD

Accepting New Patients

(Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MDCM, FRCPC)

(134 Ratings)

Specializes in: Physician and Infectious Disease

McGill University Faculty of Medicine

Professional interests include: anal cancer

1600 Divisadero Street Floor 3
San Francisco, CA 94143

(415) 353-7100

Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD is a physician provider in San Francisco, CA specializing in physician and infectious disease. He graduated from McGill University Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD is affiliated with UCSF Health, UCSF and Anal Neoplasia Clinic, Research and Education (ANCRE) Center.

Office Locations

1600 Divisadero Street Floor 3
San Francisco, CA 94143

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1600 Divisadero Street Third Floor UCSF Anal Neoplasia Clinic, Research and Education (ANC...
San Francisco, CA 94115

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Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD in 2024

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

Top 25%

By Affordability:

gastrointestinal procedures

In 2012, Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD had a list price for gastrointestinal procedures that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 75% of providers in related specialties within California. 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 M. Palefsky, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2012 were removal of lesion (e.g. growth), anorectal procedures, gastrointestinal procedures and excision.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD for Medicare patients.

anorectal procedures	20
excision	20
gastrointestinal procedures	20
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	20

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2013 were minimally invasive procedures, diagnostic procedures and gastrointestinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures	32
gastrointestinal procedures	32
minimally invasive procedures	32

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD in 2013

Hypertension	44
High Cholesterol	44
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	44
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2014 were gastrointestinal procedures, minimally invasive procedures, diagnostic procedures and removal of lesion (e.g. growth).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD for Medicare patients.

anorectal procedures	25
diagnostic procedures	35
excision	25
gastrointestinal procedures	60
minimally invasive procedures	35
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	25

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	35
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	0
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	38

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD in 2014

Hypertension	43
High Cholesterol	37
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	35
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2015 were removal of lesion (e.g. growth), anorectal procedures, gastrointestinal procedures and excision.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD for Medicare patients.

anorectal procedures	14
excision	14
gastrointestinal procedures	14
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	14

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	60
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	0
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	60

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD in 2015

Hypertension	43
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2016 were gastrointestinal procedures, removal of lesion (e.g. growth), anorectal procedures and excision.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD for Medicare patients.

anorectal procedures	44
diagnostic procedures	35
excision	44
gastrointestinal procedures	79
minimally invasive procedures	35
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	44

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	35
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	0
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	30

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD in 2016

Hypertension	44
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	33
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2017 were minimally invasive procedures, diagnostic procedures and gastrointestinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures	27
gastrointestinal procedures	27
minimally invasive procedures	27

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	32
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	0
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	25

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD in 2017

Hypertension	39
High Cholesterol	43
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2018 were gastrointestinal procedures, minimally invasive procedures, diagnostic procedures and removal of lesion (e.g. growth).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD for Medicare patients.

anorectal procedures	12
diagnostic procedures	35
excision	12
gastrointestinal procedures	47
minimally invasive procedures	35
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	12

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	40
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	0
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	30

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD in 2018

Hypertension	50
High Cholesterol	54
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	20
Depression	33
Chronic Kidney Disease	20
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2019 were minimally invasive procedures, diagnostic procedures and gastrointestinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures	38
gastrointestinal procedures	38
minimally invasive procedures	38

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	40
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	0
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	25

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD in 2019

Hypertension	53
High Cholesterol	64
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	43
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2020 were minimally invasive procedures, diagnostic procedures and gastrointestinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures	20
gastrointestinal procedures	20
minimally invasive procedures	20

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD.

**Age**
From 65 to 74	0
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	18

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD in 2020

Hypertension	33
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	26
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2021 were minimally invasive procedures, diagnostic procedures and gastrointestinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures	28
gastrointestinal procedures	28
minimally invasive procedures	28

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD.

**Age**
From 65 to 74	18
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD in 2021

Hypertension	49
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2022 were gastrointestinal procedures, minimally invasive procedures, diagnostic procedures and removal of lesion (e.g. growth).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD for Medicare patients.

anorectal procedures	15
diagnostic procedures	34
excision	15
gastrointestinal procedures	49
minimally invasive procedures	34
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	15

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD.

**Age**
From 65 to 74	24
From 75 to 84	12
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD in 2022

Hypertension	65
High Cholesterol	67
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2023 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2023 were minimally invasive procedures, diagnostic procedures and gastrointestinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures	27
gastrointestinal procedures	27
minimally invasive procedures	27

2023 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	42
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	27
From 75 to 84	13
85 and over	0
Less than 65	14

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD in 2023

Hypertension	56
High Cholesterol	67
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	20
Depression	22
Chronic Kidney Disease	24
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2024 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2024 were minimally invasive procedures, diagnostic procedures and gastrointestinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures	36
gastrointestinal procedures	36
minimally invasive procedures	36

2024 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD.

**Age**
From 65 to 74	29
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD in 2024

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	25
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	38
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	25
Dementia	0
Cancer	25

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2024

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA were gastrointestinal procedures, minimally invasive procedures, diagnostic procedures and removal of lesion (e.g. growth).

anorectal procedures	21
diagnostic procedures	31
excision	21
gastrointestinal procedures	36
minimally invasive procedures	31
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	21

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2024

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	21
Hispanic	0
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Other	0

**Age**
85 and over	0
75 to 84	1
Less than 65	18
65 to 74	7

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD From 2012 - 2024

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD treated were high cholesterol, hypertension, depression and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	44
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	7
Depression	31
Chronic Kidney Disease	6
Asthma	0
Osteoporosis	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	3
Atrial Fibrillation	0
Cancer	1
Dementia	0

Education & Training

Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD graduated from McGill University Faculty of Medicine. He completed residency at McGill University Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the Board certification: Infectious Disease, American Board of Internal Med/Infectious Disease and has a state license in California.

Medical School: McGill University Faculty of Medicine

Residency: McGill University Affiliated Hospitals (1985)

Board Certification: Board certification: Infectious Disease, American Board of Internal Med/Infectious Disease

Licensed In: California

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.99 out of 5 stars based on 134 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in San Francisco, CA.

4.99

Overall Rating

(134 Ratings)

Leave a Review

Reviews From Around The Web

Overall Rating: 5.0 2026-02-10

Patient verified via Press Ganey

Dr. Joel Palefsky was an outstanding care provider. Really appreciated (and felt reassured by) his patience, attentiveness, clear communication and generosity with his time; it was clear that I was in good hands.

Overall Rating: 5.0 2025-07-31

Patient verified via Press Ganey

Dr. Palefsky is compassionate, caring, & truly extraordinary in his competence

Overall Rating: 5.0 2025-02-04

Patient verified via Press Ganey

I respect and love.My doctor..

General Payments

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

**Payments by Company**
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC	$43,507 GARDASIL 9 $10,851	$32,657
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation	$35,714 GARDASIL $20,079	NON-PRODUCT $7,863	GARDASIL9 $174	$7,598
QIAGEN Sciences, LLC	$7,221 $7,221
Roche Diagnostics Corporation	$5,905 CINtec PLUS Cytology $4,700	$1,205
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.	$3,783 $3,783
Other	$7,392 Aptima $2,105	CINtec PLUS Cytology $1,445	GI Solutions $1,200	Alinity m $142	$2,500

**Types of Payments**
Travel and Lodging	$47,733
Consulting Fee	$39,138
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$13,330
Food and Beverage	$3,320

Research Payments

Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD has received 51 research payments totaling $1,003,557.

Biography

Dr Joel Palefsky is an expert in infectious diseases and cancers associated with these diseases. He is an internationally recognized expert on the biology, treatment, progression and history of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections of the anus and genitals, particularly in the setting of HIV infection. He directs the UCSF Anal Neoplasia Clinic, Research and Education (ANCRE) Center, the world's first clinic devoted to anal cancer prevention. Palefsky's research focuses on the biology and treatment of anal cancer.