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Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD

Accepting New Patients
(Justin Van Backer)
Specializes in: Thoracic Surgery and Pediatric Surgery
University of Vermont College of Medicine (2015)
Professional interests include: bronchoscopy, minimally invasive surgery, upper gastrointestinal (GI) surgery, and more.
455 Lewis Avenue Suite 216
Meriden, CT 06451

Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD is a thoracic surgeon in New Britain, CT specializing in thoracic surgery and pediatric surgery. He graduated from University of Vermont College of Medicine in 2015 and has 10 years of experience. Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD is affiliated with Hartford Healthcare, MidState Medical Center, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, The William H. Backus Hospital, Hartford Hospital, Hospital of Central Connecticut, Hartford HealthCare Medical Group, Integrated Care Partners, MHS PRIMARY CARE, INC and HARTFORD HEALTHCARE MEDICAL GROUP SPECIALISTS PLLC.

View Doctor's Full Profile (860) 696-4923

Office Locations

100 Grand Street Department Of
New Britain, CT 06052
(860) 696-4923
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201 North Mountain Road Suite 202
Plainville, CT 06062
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Integrated Care Partners

455 Lewis Avenue Suite 216
Meriden, CT 06451
(860) 696-4923
(860) 827-1642
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Division of Thoracic Surgery and Interventional Pulmonology
New Britain, CT 06053
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Some issues Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD can help you with:

Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy is a procedure in which a thin tube with a camera, called a bronchoscope, is inserted in the mouth or nose and slowly advanced to the lungs. This allows doctors to see the respiratory tract, which includes the throat, larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), bronchi (airways), and lungs. Doctors may recommend those who have or show signs of lung problems - for example, lung cancer or difficulty breathing - to undergo a bronchoscopy.

In performing a diagnostic bronchoscopy, doctors may only wish to visualize the respiratory tract, or doctors may also collect samples of tissue or fluid. The samples can help diagnose patients' conditions or, if patients have cancer, they can be used for staging purposes. One method for sample collection is bronchoalveolar lavage. In a bronchoalveolar lavage, doctors inject saline (salt water) through the bronchoscope and then suction it out of the airways. The washout collected is tested for lung disorders. Doctors can also insert a biopsy tool to collect tissue or mucus samples. The following are biopsies that can be performed by bronchoscopy:

  • Brush biopsy, which uses a brush to collect samples.
  • Endobronchial biopsy, which uses the bronchoscope to guide forceps to sample lung tissue.
  • Transbronchial biopsy, which uses forceps and image guidance - such as X-rays, CT scans, or fluoroscopy - to sample lung tissue.
  • Transbronchial fine needle aspiration (TBNA), which uses a small needle to take samples of the lymph nodes or lungs.

For visualization, bronchoscopy can be done alone, or it can be combined with ultrasound. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) allows real-time imaging of the airway and is used for diagnosing and staging lung cancer, as well as for determining where the cancer has spread. EBUS can be performed with TBNA, a procedure known as endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA).

Doctors can also use bronchoscopy as a treatment for lung problems. For example, if a foreign body is trapped in the airway, doctors can insert forceps through the bronchoscope to remove it. If the airway has become narrowed - which may occur if patients have an infection, cancer, or some other inflammatory issue - bronchoscopy can be used to place a device called a stent in the area of constriction. The stent will keep the airway open, allowing the patient to breathe properly.

During a bronchoscopy, patients will be given medication (sedative) to help them relax. If it is only a diagnostic bronchoscopy, patients will be kept awake, but if the bronchoscopy is for therapeutic purposes, patients will be put to sleep by general anesthesia. After the procedure, patients will need to stay in the hospital for a few hours. They will not be able to eat or drink for about 2 hours. Some patients may experience discomfort, such as a sore throat or pain while swallowing. Throat lozenges and gargling may help alleviate these symptoms, which should go away after a few days. Patients will need to have someone drive them home once their doctor determines that they are ready.

Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic surgery is a kind of minimally invasive surgery using a thin, narrow tube called a laparoscope. Usually performed on the abdomen or the pelvic region, the surgeon makes a few very small incisions instead of one large one.

During the procedure, the surgeon inserts the laparoscope, which contains a light and camera that allows the surgeon to see what is happening inside the body. Then tiny tools are placed through the small openings and used to perform the surgery.

The most common laparoscopic surgery is gallbladder removal, but laparoscopic surgery may also be used for the removal of a kidney or appendix, to treat certain cysts and tumors, for bariatric surgery, for some GERD treatments, or for hernia repairs, among others.

Because laparoscopic surgery only uses a few tiny incisions, the scars are minimal and recovery is easier than with open surgery.

Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery, using a tiny opening to get inside the body instead of making a large cut. It uses small tools attached to a thin robotic arm, which is controlled by the surgeon. Robotic surgery may be referred to by the specific kind of robot that is used. The most advanced robot currently in use is called the da Vinci, and surgery using it is sometimes called da Vinci surgery.

There are many benefits to robotic surgery, both for the patient and the surgeon. Robotic surgery allows for more precise movements and increased control during very delicate surgical procedures. This makes performing surgery accurately much easier for surgeons and reduces fatigue. The smaller 'hand' of the robot can enter the body via a much smaller opening, which reduces the risk of infection and scarring and leads to a faster recovery. The robotic hands also contain tiny moveable cameras among their tools, giving surgeons a much closer view of the procedure than would be possible with traditional surgery.

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD in 2023

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

Top 5%

By Volume:

inpatient hospital care

In 2023, Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD performed more inpatient hospital care (for patient admitted to hospital) procedures for Medicare patients than 95% of providers in related specialties within Connecticut.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD treated as a thoracic surgeon in New Britain, CT during 2022 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD for Medicare patients.

hospital care 74
inpatient care 74

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD.

Gender
Male 26
Female 26
Age
From 65 to 74 15
From 75 to 84 19
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD in 2022

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD treated during 2022 were high cholesterol, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 75
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 35
Depression 31
Chronic Kidney Disease 42
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 38
Heart Failure 37
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 56
Diabetes 37
Dementia 0
Cancer 33

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2023 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD treated as a thoracic surgeon in New Britain, CT during 2023 were hospital care, inpatient care, thoracic (chest) surgery procedures and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD for Medicare patients.

dissection 13
doctor visit 150
excision 25
hospital care 304
inpatient care 304
lymph node procedures 13
minimally invasive procedures 25
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures 25

2023 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD.

Gender
Male 107
Female 99
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 176
Black 13
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 69
From 75 to 84 68
85 and over 35
Less than 65 34

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD in 2023

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD treated during 2023 were hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer.

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 74
Stroke 14
Ischemic Heart Disease 39
Depression 36
Chronic Kidney Disease 34
Asthma 15
Osteoperosis 16
Atrial Fibrilation 33
Heart Failure 36
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 50
Diabetes 33
Dementia 11
Cancer 44

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2022 - 2023

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD treated as a thoracic surgeon in New Britain, CT were hospital care, inpatient care, minimally invasive procedures and thoracic (chest) surgery procedures.

dissection 13
doctor visit 150
excision 25
hospital care 189
inpatient care 189
lymph node procedures 13
minimally invasive procedures 25
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures 25

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2022 - 2023

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD.

Gender
Male 66
Female 62
Ethnicity
Black / African American 6
Asian / Pacific Islander 0
Non-Hispanic White 88
Native American / Alaskan Native 0
Hispanic 0
Other 0
Age
75 to 84 43
85 and over 17
Less than 65 17
65 to 74 42

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD From 2022 - 2023

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD treated were high cholesterol, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer.

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 74
Stroke 7
Ischemic Heart Disease 37
Depression 33
Chronic Kidney Disease 38
Asthma 7
Osteoporosis 8
Heart Failure 36
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 53
Diabetes 35
Atrial Fibrillation 35
Cancer 38
Dementia 5

Education & Training

Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD graduated from University of Vermont College of Medicine in 2015. He completed residency at Albany Medical Center. He has a state license in Connecticut.

Medical School: University of Vermont College of Medicine (2015)

Residency: Albany Medical Center

Licensed In: Connecticut

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Hartford Healthcare
MidState Medical Center
Connecticut Children's Medical Center
The William H. Backus Hospital
Hartford Hospital
Hospital of Central Connecticut
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group
Integrated Care Partners
MHS PRIMARY CARE, INC
HARTFORD HEALTHCARE MEDICAL GROUP SPECIALISTS PLLC

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. Justin T. Van Backer, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: CorVel, Great-West Healthcare, WellCare, Evercare, MultiPlan, United Healthcare, Aetna, Oxford Health Plans, Coventry, Cigna, Anthem, ConnectiCare, Focus Health Solutions, Prime Health, First Health, Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), CarePartners of Connecticut, Senior Whole Health, Health Direct, HMC/ Northeast Healthcare, Colonial Cooperative Care, BCBS Medicare, Inc., Medspan Commercial, Health Connecticut, Health New England, Healthy Connecticut, Connecticare Commercial, Essence Healthcare, Medspan Medicare, Connecticare Medicare, Community Health Network of Connecticut and Northeast Health Direct.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

CorVel
Great-West Healthcare
WellCare
Evercare
MultiPlan
United Healthcare
Aetna
Oxford Health Plans
Coventry
Cigna
Anthem
ConnectiCare
Focus Health Solutions
Prime Health
First Health
Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
CarePartners of Connecticut
Senior Whole Health
Health Direct
HMC/ Northeast Healthcare
Colonial Cooperative Care
BCBS Medicare
Inc.
Medspan Commercial
Health Connecticut
Health New England
Healthy Connecticut
Connecticare Commercial
Essence Healthcare
Medspan Medicare
Connecticare Medicare
Community Health Network of Connecticut
Northeast Health Direct

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 9 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in New Britain, CT. 

5
Overall Rating
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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Justin T. Van Backer, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

Payments by Company
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. $3,840 Da Vinci Surgical System
$2,840 		DAVINCI XI
$1,000
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP $2,004 IMFINZI
$1,877 		TAGRISSO
$127
Medical Device Business Services, Inc. $1,085 Monarch
$985
$100
Ethicon Inc. $117 Monarch Platform
$117
Davol Inc. $112 Progel Applicator Spray Tips
$112
Types of Payments
Education $3,000
Consulting Fee $1,860
Travel and Lodging $1,767
Food and Beverage $531

Biography

Dr. Justin Van Backer's specialties are pediatric surgery and thoracic surgery. The average patient rating for Dr. Van Backer is 5.0 stars (out of 5). Clinical interests for Dr. Van Backer include esophageal cancer, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), and lung cancer. His professional affiliations include Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford Hospital, and Hospital of Central Connecticut. He usually honors Anthem, ConnectiCare, and Blue California, in addition to other insurance carriers. According to Hartford Healthcare, Dr. Van Backer is currently accepting new patients at his office in Meriden, CT. He is a graduate of the University of Vermont College of Medicine. For his professional training, Dr. Van Backer completed a residency program at Albany Medical Center.

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