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Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD, Infectious Diseases

Accepting New Patients

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

(136 Ratings)

Specializes in: Infectious Disease and General Practice

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

Office Locations

1600 Divisadero Street Floor 3
San Francisco, CA 94143

open_in_new

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

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In The News (see more mentions in the news)

“In the randomized phase III trial of more than 4,500 individuals with anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), nine of those assigned to treatment with office-based electrocautery...”—"Early Anal Lesion Treatment Cuts Cancer Risk in People With HIV", MedPage Today, June 2022

“In the study involving nearly 4,500 individuals with anal HSIL detected by screening, nine of those assigned to aggressive therapy -- mostly office-based electrocautery -- went on to develop anal...”—"Ablating High-Grade Anal Lesions Thwarts Progression to Cancer", MedPage Today, February 2022

“"We don t want to spend a lot of testing resources, and create a lot of anxiety, in low-risk groups of women," said senior author Joel M. Palefsky, an infectious disease physician and anal cancer...”—"Anal cancer is on the rise, especially in women. Should they be screened?", Chicago Tribune, May 2019

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD, Infectious Diseases in 2023

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

Top 25%

By Volume:

diagnostic procedures

In 2012, Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD, Infectious Diseases performed more diagnostic procedures procedures for Medicare patients than 75% of providers in related specialties within California.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD, Infectious Diseases treated as an infectious disease doctor 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, Infectious Diseases 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, Infectious Diseases treated as an infectious disease doctor 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, Infectious Diseases for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures	32
gastrointestinal procedures	32
minimally invasive procedures	32

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD, Infectious Diseases 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, Infectious Diseases treated as an infectious disease doctor 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, Infectious Diseases 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, Infectious Diseases.

**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, Infectious Diseases 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, Infectious Diseases treated as an infectious disease doctor 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, Infectious Diseases 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, Infectious Diseases.

**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, Infectious Diseases 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, Infectious Diseases treated as an infectious disease doctor 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, Infectious Diseases 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, Infectious Diseases.

**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, Infectious Diseases 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, Infectious Diseases treated as an infectious disease doctor 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, Infectious Diseases 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, Infectious Diseases.

**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, Infectious Diseases 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, Infectious Diseases treated as an infectious disease doctor 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, Infectious Diseases 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, Infectious Diseases.

**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, Infectious Diseases 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, Infectious Diseases treated as an infectious disease doctor 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, Infectious Diseases 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, Infectious Diseases.

**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, Infectious Diseases 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, Infectious Diseases treated as an infectious disease doctor 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, Infectious Diseases 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, Infectious Diseases.

**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, Infectious Diseases 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, Infectious Diseases treated as an infectious disease doctor 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, Infectious Diseases 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, Infectious Diseases.

**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, Infectious Diseases 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, Infectious Diseases treated as an infectious disease doctor 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, Infectious Diseases 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, Infectious Diseases.

**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, Infectious Diseases 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

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

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

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD, Infectious Diseases treated as an infectious disease doctor 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	37
minimally invasive procedures	31
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	21

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

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

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	22
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	1
85 and over	0
Less than 65	20
65 to 74	3

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD, Infectious Diseases From 2012 - 2022

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

Hypertension	42
High Cholesterol	47
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	4
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	1
Asthma	0
Osteoporosis	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	2
Atrial Fibrillation	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Education & Training

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

Medical School: McGill University Faculty of Medicine

Residency: McGill University Affiliated Hospitals

Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine

Licensed In: California

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD, Infectious Diseases is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

UCSF Health

Anal Neoplasia Clinic, Research and Education (ANCRE) Center

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD, Infectious Diseases has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 136 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD, Infectious Diseases from all over the web to help you find the right in San Francisco, CA.

Overall Rating

(136 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, Infectious Diseases. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation	$35,714 GARDASIL $20,079	NON-PRODUCT $7,863	GARDASIL9 $174	$7,598
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC	$19,486 GARDASIL 9 $10,501	$8,985
QIAGEN Sciences, LLC	$7,221 $7,221
Roche Diagnostics Corporation	$5,905 CINtec PLUS Cytology $4,700	$1,205
Theratechnologies Inc.	$2,500 $2,500
Other	$3,305 Aptima $2,105	GI Solutions $1,200

**Types of Payments**
Travel and Lodging	$44,654
Consulting Fee	$13,655
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	$2,490

Research Payments

Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD, Infectious Diseases has received 47 research payments totaling $842,038.

Biography

Dr. Joel Palefsky's specialties are infectious disease and general practice. He practices in San Francisco, CA. Areas of particular interest for Dr. Palefsky include anal cancer. Patient ratings for Dr. Palefsky average 5.0 stars (out of 5). He graduated from McGill University Faculty of Medicine and then he performed his residency at a hospital affiliated with McGill University. Dr. Palefsky is professionally affiliated with UCSF Health. His practice in San Francisco, CA is open to new patients as reported by Doctor.com.

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Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD, Infectious Diseases

Office Locations

In The News (see more mentions in the news)

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD, Infectious Diseases in 2023

By Volume:

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

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

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

2014 Medicare Patient Data

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

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

2015 Medicare Patient Data

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

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

2016 Medicare Patient Data

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

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

2017 Medicare Patient Data

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

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

2018 Medicare Patient Data

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

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

2019 Medicare Patient Data

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

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

2020 Medicare Patient Data

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

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

2021 Medicare Patient Data

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

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

2022 Medicare Patient Data

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

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joel M. Palefsky, MD, Infectious Diseases From 2012 - 2022

Education & Training

Affiliations & Hospitals

Ratings & Reviews

General Payments

Research Payments

Biography

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