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Home > NY Providers > Thoracic (Chest) Surgeons

Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD

(Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, M.D.)

(3 Ratings)

Specializes in: Thoracic Surgery

Eastern Virginia Medical School

100 High Street C367
Buffalo, NY 14203

(716) 859-2243

Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD is a thoracic surgeon in Buffalo, NY specializing in thoracic surgery. He graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School. Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD is affiliated with Kaleida Health.

Office Locations

Kaleida Health

100 High Street C367
Buffalo, NY 14203

(716) 859-2243

(716) 859-2885

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Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD in 2023

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

Top 5%

By Volume:

thoracentesis

By Affordability:

pleural drainage

In 2023, among providers in related specialties within New York, Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD performed more thoracentesis procedures for Medicare patients than 95% of them and he also had a list price for pleural drainage that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 95% 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.

Top 10%

By Affordability:

hospital care

inpatient care

inpatient hospital care

In 2023, Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD had a list price for hospital care, inpatient care, and inpatient hospital care (for patient admitted to hospital) that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 90% of providers in related specialties within New York. 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 Affordability:

tracheal surgery

tracheostomy

In 2012, Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD had a list price for tracheal surgery, and tracheostomy that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 75% of providers in related specialties within New York. 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. Kurt Vonfricken, MD treated as a thoracic surgeon in Buffalo, NY during 2012 were hospital care, inpatient care, pleural drainage and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	39
cardiac procedures	13
hospital care	144
implant surgery	13
inpatient care	144
minimally invasive procedures	13
open surgery	13
pleural drainage	39
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	13
thoracostomy	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD treated as a thoracic surgeon in Buffalo, NY during 2013 were hospital care, inpatient care, pleural drainage and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	143
doctor visit	13
hospital care	176
inpatient care	176
open surgery	15
pleural drainage	143
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	15
thoracostomy	15
tracheal (windpipe) procedures	15

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD.

**Gender**
Male	93
Female	83

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	138
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	52
From 75 to 84	57
85 and over	36
Less than 65	31

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD in 2013

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	74
Stroke	11
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	63
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	39
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	43
Diabetes	51
Dementia	19
Cancer	19

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD treated as a thoracic surgeon in Buffalo, NY during 2014 were pleural drainage, aspiration, hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	90
cardiac procedures	14
hospital care	69
implant surgery	14
inpatient care	69
minimally invasive procedures	14
pleural drainage	90

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD.

**Gender**
Male	69
Female	68

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	101
Black	25
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	42
From 75 to 84	38
85 and over	24
Less than 65	33

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD in 2014

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	74
Stroke	18
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	61
Asthma	20
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	47
Heart Failure	73
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	50
Diabetes	55
Dementia	14
Cancer	21

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD treated as a thoracic surgeon in Buffalo, NY during 2015 were pleural drainage, aspiration, hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	87
cardiac procedures	11
hospital care	62
implant surgery	11
inpatient care	62
minimally invasive procedures	11
pleural drainage	87

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD.

**Gender**
Male	118
Female	122

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	194
Black	24
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	98
From 75 to 84	70
85 and over	28
Less than 65	44

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD in 2015

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	18
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	67
Asthma	43
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	42
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	58
Diabetes	55
Dementia	22
Cancer	20

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD treated as a thoracic surgeon in Buffalo, NY during 2016 were hospital care, inpatient care, pleural drainage and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	145
cardiac procedures	12
doctor visit	13
hospital care	172
implant surgery	12
inpatient care	172
minimally invasive procedures	12
pleural drainage	145
tracheal (windpipe) procedures	32

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD.

**Gender**
Male	108
Female	92

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	150
Black	35
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	66
From 75 to 84	58
85 and over	32
Less than 65	44

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD in 2016

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	12
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	72
Asthma	54
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	39
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	52
Diabetes	51
Dementia	29
Cancer	23

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD treated as a thoracic surgeon in Buffalo, NY during 2017 were pleural drainage, aspiration, hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	149
cardiac procedures	22
hospital care	149
implant surgery	22
inpatient care	149
minimally invasive procedures	22
pleural drainage	149
tracheal (windpipe) procedures	29

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD.

**Gender**
Male	109
Female	87

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	147
Black	34
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	69
From 75 to 84	66
85 and over	26
Less than 65	35

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD in 2017

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	18
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	70
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	44
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	58
Diabetes	48
Dementia	29
Cancer	19

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD treated as a thoracic surgeon in Buffalo, NY during 2018 were hospital care, inpatient care, pleural drainage and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	41
cardiac procedures	12
hospital care	61
implant surgery	12
inpatient care	61
minimally invasive procedures	26
pleural drainage	55
thoracostomy	14
tracheal (windpipe) procedures	13

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD.

**Gender**
Male	58
Female	56

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	73
Black	20
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	36
From 75 to 84	44
85 and over	12
Less than 65	22

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD in 2018

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	15
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	43
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	47
Diabetes	54
Dementia	27
Cancer	19

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD treated as a thoracic surgeon in Buffalo, NY during 2019 were hospital care, inpatient care, pleural drainage and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	101
hospital care	115
inpatient care	115
pleural drainage	101
tracheal (windpipe) procedures	17

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD.

**Gender**
Male	86
Female	66

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	122
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	54
From 75 to 84	38
85 and over	27
Less than 65	33

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD in 2019

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	19
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	36
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	49
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	47
Diabetes	51
Dementia	21
Cancer	18

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD treated as a thoracic surgeon in Buffalo, NY during 2020 were pleural drainage, aspiration, hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	63
hospital care	53
inpatient care	53
pleural drainage	63

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD.

**Gender**
Male	53
Female	35

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	74
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	29
From 75 to 84	34
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD in 2020

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	43
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	41
Diabetes	52
Dementia	28
Cancer	16

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD treated as a thoracic surgeon in Buffalo, NY during 2021 were hospital care, inpatient care, pleural drainage and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	44
cardiac procedures	15
hospital care	78
implant surgery	15
inpatient care	78
minimally invasive procedures	15
pleural drainage	44
tracheal (windpipe) procedures	20

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD.

**Gender**
Male	69
Female	52

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	99
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	50
From 75 to 84	29
85 and over	13
Less than 65	29

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD in 2021

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	24
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	74
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	43
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	34
Diabetes	58
Dementia	25
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD treated as a thoracic surgeon in Buffalo, NY during 2022 were hospital care, inpatient care, pleural drainage and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	29
hospital care	52
inpatient care	52
pleural drainage	29
tracheal (windpipe) procedures	11

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD.

**Gender**
Male	48
Female	44

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	73
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	31
From 75 to 84	32
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD in 2022

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	20
Ischemic Heart Disease	70
Depression	36
Chronic Kidney Disease	59
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	62
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	38
Diabetes	61
Dementia	13
Cancer	20

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2023 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD treated as a thoracic surgeon in Buffalo, NY during 2023 were hospital care, inpatient care, pleural drainage and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	61
doctor visit	13
hospital care	66
inpatient care	66
pleural drainage	61
tracheal (windpipe) procedures	15

2023 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD.

**Gender**
Male	66
Female	41

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	88
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	42
From 75 to 84	33
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD in 2023

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	29
Ischemic Heart Disease	63
Depression	44
Chronic Kidney Disease	50
Asthma	19
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	65
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	52
Diabetes	43
Dementia	19
Cancer	22

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2023

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD treated as a thoracic surgeon in Buffalo, NY were hospital care, inpatient care, pleural drainage and aspiration.

aspiration	82
cardiac procedures	14
doctor visit	13
hospital care	99
implant surgery	14
inpatient care	99
minimally invasive procedures	16
open surgery	14
pleural drainage	83
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	14
thoracostomy	14
tracheal (windpipe) procedures	19

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2023

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD.

**Gender**
Female	62
Male	73

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	11
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	104
Hispanic	0
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Other	0

**Age**
85 and over	16
75 to 84	41
Less than 65	22
65 to 74	47

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD From 2012 - 2023

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD treated were heart failure, high cholesterol, hypertension and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	68
Stroke	15
Ischemic Heart Disease	67
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	61
Asthma	18
Osteoporosis	2
Heart Failure	68
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	43
Diabetes	48
Atrial Fibrillation	43
Dementia	20
Cancer	17

Education & Training

Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School. He completed residency at SUNY, University at Buffalo Affiliated Hospitals. He has a state license in New York.

Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School

Residency: SUNY, University at Buffalo Affiliated Hospitals

Licensed In: New York

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Kaleida Health

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 3 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Kurt Vonfricken, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Buffalo, NY.

Overall Rating

(3 Ratings)

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General Payments

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

**Payments by Company**
Boston Scientific Corporation	$2,363 GENERAL BRADY $299	EMBLEM MRI S-ICD $283	IMAGEREADY MR-CONDITIONAL PACING SYSTEM $170	SQ-RX PULSE GENERATOR $153	EMBLEM S ICD ELECTRODE DELIVERY SYSTEM $117	Other $1,341
ZOLL Services LLC (A/K/A ZOLL LifeCor Corp)	$1,841 LifeVest $1,841
Medtronic, Inc.	$1,798 Micra $1,534	COREVALVE EVOLUT R $79	Affinity $79	Situate $59	COBALT DR MRI SURESCAN $34	Other $13
Philips North America LLC	$1,606 (BS2) LM Undivided $1,197	(9520) IGT Devices Undivided $408
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation	$1,604 INSPIRIS RESILIA aortic valve $451	EDWARDS INTUITY Elite valve system $284	MITRIS RESILIA Mitral Valve $245	SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA $166	Pericardial Heart Valves $98	Other $360
Other	$8,733 XARELTO $1,337	Impella $1,132	Cardiovascular $992	Barostim Neo System $244	SYNERGY ABLATION SYSTEM $218	Other $4,811

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$14,544
Travel and Lodging	$3,332
Education	$67

Biography

Dr. Kurt Vonfricken sees patients in Buffalo, NY. His medical specialty is thoracic surgery. He is professionally affiliated with Kaleida Health. He obtained his medical school training at Eastern Virginia Medical School and performed his residency at a hospital affiliated with SUNY, University at Buffalo.