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Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS

Accepting New Patients

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Specializes in: Cardiac Surgery

Hebei Medical University

Professional interests include: lung transplant, aortic aneurysm repair, ventricular assist device (VAD), and more.

1101 Bates Avenue
Houston, TX 77030

(713) 798-1300

Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS is a cardiac surgeon in Houston, TX specializing in cardiac surgery. He graduated from Hebei Medical University. Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and TX Health Network.

Office Locations

Baylor College of Medicine

1101 Bates Avenue
Houston, TX 77030

(713) 798-1300

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1901 Veterans Memorial Drive Central Texas Vhcs (674)
Temple, TX 76504

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6770 Bertner Avenue C355
Houston, TX 77030

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Some issues Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS can help you with:

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.

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.

In The News

“Patient eligibility, however, is improving as newer, more user-friendly versions of the technology become available and a growing number of surgeons train with the machine, said Dr. Kenneth Liao,...”—"Robotic heart surgery is becoming more popular in Houston. Is it the best option?", Houston Chronicle, January 2023

“When it comes to open-heart surgery, University professor and surgeon Kenneth Liao said he believes in less chest destruction.”—"U doctors use robots to advance safer surgery", The Minnesota Daily , May 2004

“Officials placed the first notice of a gas-like odor around 4:20 p.m.... When it comes to open-heart surgery, University professor and surgeon Kenneth Liao said he believes in less chest destruction.”—"The Minnesota Daily", The Minnesota Daily , May 2004

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS in 2023

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

Top 25%

By Volume:

heart surgery

In 2012, Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS performed more heart surgery procedures for Medicare patients than 75% of providers in related specialties within Texas.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS treated as a cardiac surgeon in Houston, TX during 2012 were cardiac procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS for Medicare patients.

cardiac procedures	38
doctor visit	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS treated as a cardiac surgeon in Houston, TX during 2013 were cardiac procedures, thoracic (chest) surgery procedures, open surgery and bypass surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery	12
cardiac procedures	46
doctor visit	16
open surgery	24
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	24

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS.

**Gender**
Male	46
Female	23

**Age**
From 65 to 74	26
From 75 to 84	14
85 and over	12
Less than 65	17

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS in 2013

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	68
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	36
Chronic Kidney Disease	58
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	46
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	25
Diabetes	46
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS treated as a cardiac surgeon in Houston, TX during 2014 were thoracic (chest) surgery procedures, open surgery, cardiac procedures and bypass surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery	11
cardiac procedures	22
doctor visit	46
open surgery	22
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	22

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS.

**Gender**
Male	56
Female	32

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	75
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	24
From 75 to 84	28
85 and over	13
Less than 65	23

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS in 2014

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	66
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	33
Chronic Kidney Disease	58
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	44
Heart Failure	72
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	18
Diabetes	45
Dementia	0
Cancer	17

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS treated as a cardiac surgeon in Houston, TX during 2015 were cardiac procedures, minimally invasive procedures and vascular procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS for Medicare patients.

cardiac procedures	26
doctor visit	22
minimally invasive procedures	13
vascular procedures	13

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS.

**Gender**
Male	104
Female	78

**Age**
From 65 to 74	52
From 75 to 84	46
85 and over	36
Less than 65	48

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS in 2015

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	13
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	66
Asthma	20
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	44
Heart Failure	74
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	23
Diabetes	48
Dementia	0
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS treated as a cardiac surgeon in Houston, TX during 2016 were cardiac procedures, minimally invasive procedures and vascular procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS for Medicare patients.

cardiac procedures	28
doctor visit	15
minimally invasive procedures	14
vascular procedures	14

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS.

**Gender**
Male	59
Female	38

**Age**
From 65 to 74	29
From 75 to 84	29
85 and over	14
Less than 65	25

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS in 2016

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	69
Stroke	12
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	60
Asthma	30
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	45
Heart Failure	66
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	29
Diabetes	35
Dementia	20
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS treated as a cardiac surgeon in Houston, TX during 2017 were cardiac procedures, minimally invasive procedures and vascular procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS for Medicare patients.

cardiac procedures	22
doctor visit	46
minimally invasive procedures	11
vascular procedures	11

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS.

**Gender**
Male	59
Female	29

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	77
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	28
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	29

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS in 2017

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	68
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	57
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	43
Heart Failure	64
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	24
Diabetes	39
Dementia	15
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	17

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS.

**Gender**
Male	38
Female	20

**Age**
From 65 to 74	19
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	22

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS in 2018

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	62
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	64
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	24
Heart Failure	72
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	24
Diabetes	47
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS treated as a cardiac surgeon in Houston, TX during 2019 were cardiac procedures, thoracic (chest) surgery procedures, open surgery and bypass surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery	30
cardiac procedures	98
doctor visit	46
open surgery	60
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	60

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS.

**Gender**
Male	44
Female	37

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	48
Black	0
Hispanic	13
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	35
From 75 to 84	24
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS in 2019

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	17
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	21
Chronic Kidney Disease	70
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	51
Heart Failure	74
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	27
Diabetes	46
Dementia	15
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS treated as a cardiac surgeon in Houston, TX during 2020 were cardiac procedures, thoracic (chest) surgery procedures, open surgery and bypass surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery	37
cardiac procedures	102
doctor visit	15
hospital care	32
inpatient care	32
open surgery	74
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	74

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS.

**Gender**
Male	57
Female	28

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	61
Black	12
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	52
From 75 to 84	19
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS in 2020

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	71
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	44
Heart Failure	66
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	31
Diabetes	49
Dementia	15
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS treated as a cardiac surgeon in Houston, TX during 2021 were cardiac procedures, thoracic (chest) surgery procedures, open surgery and bypass surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery	21
cardiac procedures	78
doctor visit	30
open surgery	42
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	42

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS.

**Gender**
Male	51
Female	32

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	51
Black	12
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	41
From 75 to 84	27
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS in 2021

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	0
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	51
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	29
Diabetes	43
Dementia	17
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS treated as a cardiac surgeon in Houston, TX during 2022 were cardiac procedures, thoracic (chest) surgery procedures, open surgery and bypass surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery	29
cardiac procedures	94
doctor visit	75
hospital care	16
inpatient care	16
open surgery	58
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	58

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS.

**Gender**
Male	64
Female	44

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	82
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	52
From 75 to 84	32
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS in 2022

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	17
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	48
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	61
Heart Failure	70
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	24
Diabetes	37
Dementia	0
Cancer	15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS treated as a cardiac surgeon in Houston, TX were cardiac procedures, thoracic (chest) surgery procedures, open surgery and hospital care.

bypass surgery	23
cardiac procedures	55
doctor visit	30
hospital care	24
inpatient care	24
minimally invasive procedures	12
open surgery	46
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	46
vascular procedures	12

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS.

**Gender**
Male	52
Female	32

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	2
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	35
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	1
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	19
85 and over	6
Less than 65	14
65 to 74	32

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS treated were hypertension, ischemic heart disease, heart failure and high cholesterol.

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	64
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	68
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	57
Asthma	6
Osteoporosis	1
Heart Failure	64
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	23
Diabetes	39
Atrial Fibrillation	41
Dementia	7
Cancer	5

Education & Training

Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS graduated from Hebei Medical University. He completed residency at University of Minnesota Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the Board Certified, American Board of Thoracic Surgery and has a state license in Minnesota.

Medical School: Hebei Medical University

Residency: University of Minnesota Affiliated Hospitals

Board Certification: Board Certified, American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Licensed In: Minnesota

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Baylor College of Medicine

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

TX Health Network

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. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS appears to accept the following insurance providers: Coventry, Superior Health Plan, First Health, USA Managed Care Organization, HealthSmart, Community Health Choice, Provider Select, Interlink, Texas Children's Health Plan, KELSEY-SEYBOLD and Independent Medical Systems.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS accepts the following insurance providers:

Coventry

Superior Health Plan

First Health

USA Managed Care Organization

HealthSmart

Community Health Choice

Provider Select

Interlink

Texas Children's Health Plan

KELSEY-SEYBOLD

Independent Medical Systems

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
HeartWare, Inc.	$5,349 HeartWare Ventricular Assist System $5,345	HeartWare HVAD $5
Medtronic Vascular, Inc.	$3,877 Heart Valves $1,653	Mosaic $945	HeartWare HVAD $817	CoreValve Evolut $379	Revascularization - Surgical $83
TransMedics, Inc.	$2,663 Organ Care System $2,663
Abbott Laboratories	$2,470 HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Dev $717	Mitra Clip system $488	HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist Device $400	HeartMate $354	HeartMate Touch $173	Other $338
Boston Scientific Corporation	$2,251 Structural Heart $2,058	STENTS $118	Vascular Access $53	WATCHMAN FLX $22
Other	$2,641 HeartMate III R and D $1,036	Tissue Heart Valves $285	Impella $258	COREVALVE EVOLUT R $244	Transcatheter Heart Valves $208	Other $610

**Types of Payments**
Travel and Lodging	$12,252
Food and Beverage	$6,927
Education	$73

Research Payments

Dr. Kenneth K. Liao, MD, PhD, FACS has received 15 research payments totaling $80,775.

Biography

Dr. Kenneth Liao works as a cardiac surgery. His areas of expertise include lung transplant, robotic cardiac surgery, and heart transplant. His professional affiliations include U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Baylor College of Medicine. After attending Hebei Medical University for medical school, Dr. Liao completed his residency training at Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center and a hospital affiliated with the University of Minnesota. He seems to honor USA Managed Care Organization, Superior Health Plan, and Coventry, as well as other insurance carriers. According to CommonSpirit Health, Dr. Liao is currently accepting new patients at his office in Houston, TX.