Procedure Volume Patient Data Patient Conditions Reviews General Payments Back to Top

Home > OR Providers > Intensivists & Critical Care Specialists

Dr. Rick Balestra, MD

(No ratings)

Specializes in: Adult Pulmonology and Critical Care (Intensive Care Medicine)

University of Buenos Aires Faculty of Medicine (2004)

Professional interests include: emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchoscopy

1111 Northeast 99th Avenue Suite 200
Portland, OR 97220

(503) 963-3030

Dr. Rick Balestra, MD is a pulmonologist in Portland, OR specializing in adult pulmonology and critical care (intensive care medicine). He graduated from University of Buenos Aires Faculty of Medicine in 2004 and has 22 years of experience. Dr. Rick Balestra, MD is affiliated with Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital, Providence Medford Medical Center, Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center, The Oregon Clinic, Providence, Providence Portland Medical Center, Legacy Health, Providence Milwaukie Hospital, Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center, Providence Seaside Hospital, PROVIDENCE HEALTH AND SERVICES OREGON and THE OREGON CLINIC, PC.

Office Locations

Providence Seaside Hospital

1111 Northeast 99th Avenue Suite 200
Portland, OR 97220

(503) 963-3030

open_in_new

Some issues Dr. Rick Balestra, 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.

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD in 2023

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

Top 10%

By Volume:

bronchoscopy

In 2023, Dr. Rick Balestra, MD performed more bronchoscopy procedures for Medicare patients than 90% of providers in related specialties within Oregon.

Top 25%

By Volume:

diagnostic procedures

inpatient hospital care

By Affordability:

pulmonary function test

pulmonary testing

In 2013, among providers in related specialties within Oregon, Dr. Rick Balestra, MD performed more diagnostic procedures, and inpatient hospital care (for patient admitted to hospital) procedures for Medicare patients than 75% of them and he also had a list price for pulmonary function test (PFT), and pulmonary testing that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 75% 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.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Rick Balestra, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Portland, OR during 2014 were catheterization.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD for Medicare patients.

catheterization	16

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD.

**Gender**
Male	32
Female	30

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	26
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	13
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	15
From 75 to 84	17
85 and over	17
Less than 65	13

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD in 2014

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Rick Balestra, MD treated during 2014 were chronic kidney disease, heart failure, hypertension and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	71
Stroke	18
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	18
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	35
Heart Failure	75
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	44
Diabetes	68
Dementia	37
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Rick Balestra, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Portland, OR during 2015 were catheterization and tracheal (windpipe) procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD for Medicare patients.

catheterization	23
tracheal (windpipe) procedures	12

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD.

**Gender**
Male	70
Female	68

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	70
Black	0
Hispanic	26
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	50
From 75 to 84	50
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD in 2015

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Rick Balestra, MD treated during 2015 were chronic kidney disease, hypertension, heart failure and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	71
Stroke	23
Ischemic Heart Disease	72
Depression	20
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	23
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	38
Heart Failure	74
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	36
Diabetes	57
Dementia	23
Cancer	17

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Rick Balestra, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Portland, OR during 2016 were hospital care, inpatient care and bronchoscopy.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD for Medicare patients.

bronchoscopy	18
hospital care	38
inpatient care	38

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD.

**Gender**
Male	42
Female	42

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	57
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	37
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	32

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD in 2016

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Rick Balestra, MD treated during 2016 were hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease and depression.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	67
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	52
Depression	54
Chronic Kidney Disease	63
Asthma	51
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	25
Heart Failure	49
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	50
Diabetes	44
Dementia	18
Cancer	33

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Rick Balestra, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Portland, OR during 2017 were hospital care, inpatient care, bronchoscopy and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD for Medicare patients.

bronchoscopy	61
catheterization	15
diagnostic procedures	14
doctor visit	25
hospital care	135
inpatient care	135
minimally invasive procedures	32

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD.

**Gender**
Male	104
Female	104

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	163
Black	24
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	88
From 75 to 84	46
85 and over	16
Less than 65	58

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD in 2017

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Rick Balestra, MD treated during 2017 were hypertension, chronic kidney disease, high cholesterol and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	55
Stroke	13
Ischemic Heart Disease	55
Depression	44
Chronic Kidney Disease	60
Asthma	20
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	21
Heart Failure	50
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	52
Diabetes	40
Dementia	19
Cancer	30

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Rick Balestra, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Portland, OR during 2018 were hospital care, inpatient care, bronchoscopy and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	11
bronchoscopy	70
diagnostic procedures	24
doctor visit	115
hospital care	258
inpatient care	258
minimally invasive procedures	39
minor procedures	11
pulmonary testing	33

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD.

**Gender**
Male	128
Female	127

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	203
Black	14
Hispanic	0
Asian	17
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	92
From 75 to 84	76
85 and over	20
Less than 65	67

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD in 2018

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Rick Balestra, MD treated during 2018 were hypertension, chronic kidney disease, high cholesterol and heart failure.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	14
Ischemic Heart Disease	45
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	61
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	25
Heart Failure	49
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	48
Diabetes	38
Dementia	18
Cancer	18

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Rick Balestra, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Portland, OR during 2019 were hospital care, inpatient care, bronchoscopy and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	12
bronchoscopy	75
CT scan	16
diagnostic procedures	27
doctor visit	92
hospital care	263
inpatient care	263
minimally invasive procedures	40
minor procedures	12
thoracic (chest) imaging	16

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD.

**Gender**
Male	132
Female	120

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	215
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	118
From 75 to 84	70
85 and over	16
Less than 65	48

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD in 2019

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Rick Balestra, MD treated during 2019 were hypertension, chronic kidney disease, high cholesterol and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	54
Stroke	15
Ischemic Heart Disease	46
Depression	33
Chronic Kidney Disease	54
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	27
Heart Failure	42
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	47
Diabetes	37
Dementia	19
Cancer	20

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Rick Balestra, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Portland, OR during 2020 were hospital care, inpatient care, bronchoscopy and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD for Medicare patients.

ablation	15
aspiration	12
bronchoscopy	75
catheterization	17
CT scan	12
diagnostic procedures	29
doctor visit	66
hospital care	141
inpatient care	141
minimally invasive procedures	29
minor procedures	12
pulmonary testing	27
thoracic (chest) imaging	12

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD.

**Gender**
Male	125
Female	110

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	207
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	105
From 75 to 84	62
85 and over	17
Less than 65	51

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD in 2020

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Rick Balestra, MD treated during 2020 were hypertension, chronic kidney disease, high cholesterol and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Hypertension	71
High Cholesterol	50
Stroke	12
Ischemic Heart Disease	43
Depression	38
Chronic Kidney Disease	54
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	23
Heart Failure	40
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	43
Diabetes	33
Dementia	20
Cancer	17

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Rick Balestra, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Portland, OR during 2021 were hospital care, inpatient care, bronchoscopy and CT scan.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	11
bronchoscopy	37
catheterization	12
CT scan	13
diagnostic procedures	11
doctor visit	46
hospital care	137
inpatient care	137
minimally invasive procedures	11
minor procedures	11
thoracic (chest) imaging	13

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD.

**Gender**
Male	123
Female	99

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	181
Black	0
Hispanic	13
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	100
From 75 to 84	66
85 and over	11
Less than 65	45

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD in 2021

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Rick Balestra, MD treated during 2021 were hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease and heart failure.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	61
Stroke	17
Ischemic Heart Disease	45
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	60
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	19
Heart Failure	47
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	41
Diabetes	36
Dementia	17
Cancer	18

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Rick Balestra, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Portland, OR during 2022 were hospital care, inpatient care and bronchoscopy.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD for Medicare patients.

bronchoscopy	23
doctor visit	67
hospital care	70
inpatient care	70

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD.

**Gender**
Male	95
Female	98

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	170
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	93
From 75 to 84	57
85 and over	13
Less than 65	30

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD in 2022

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Rick Balestra, MD treated during 2022 were hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	63
Stroke	22
Ischemic Heart Disease	31
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	37
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	36
Heart Failure	39
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	42
Diabetes	36
Dementia	15
Cancer	23

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2023 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Rick Balestra, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Portland, OR during 2023 were hospital care, inpatient care, bronchoscopy and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	11
bronchoscopy	54
diagnostic procedures	30
doctor visit	78
hospital care	102
inpatient care	102
minimally invasive procedures	30
minor procedures	11
pulmonary testing	11

2023 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD.

**Gender**
Male	116
Female	85

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	171
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	83
From 75 to 84	65
85 and over	27
Less than 65	26

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD in 2023

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Rick Balestra, MD treated during 2023 were hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	62
Stroke	16
Ischemic Heart Disease	22
Depression	35
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	20
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	32
Heart Failure	36
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	45
Diabetes	29
Dementia	11
Cancer	27

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2014 - 2023

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Rick Balestra, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Portland, OR were inpatient care, hospital care, bronchoscopy and minimally invasive procedures.

ablation	15
aspiration	11
bronchoscopy	51
catheterization	16
CT scan	13
diagnostic procedures	22
doctor visit	69
hospital care	143
inpatient care	143
minimally invasive procedures	30
minor procedures	11
pulmonary testing	23
thoracic (chest) imaging	13
tracheal (windpipe) procedures	12

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2014 - 2023

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD.

**Gender**
Male	96
Female	88

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	3
Asian / Pacific Islander	3
Non-Hispanic White	146
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	3
Other	0

**Age**
85 and over	13
75 to 84	50
Less than 65	37
65 to 74	78

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rick Balestra, MD From 2014 - 2023

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Rick Balestra, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease and heart failure.

Hypertension	74
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	15
Ischemic Heart Disease	48
Depression	36
Chronic Kidney Disease	56
Asthma	20
Osteoporosis	8
Heart Failure	50
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	44
Diabetes	41
Atrial Fibrillation	28
Dementia	19
Cancer	20

Education & Training

Dr. Rick Balestra, MD graduated from University of Buenos Aires Faculty of Medicine in 2004. He completed residency at Internal Medicine, Hospital J. A. Fernandez, Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine and has a state license in Oregon.

Medical School: University of Buenos Aires Faculty of Medicine (2004)

Residency: Internal Medicine, Hospital J. A. Fernandez, Buenos Aires, Argentina (2007)

Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine

Licensed In: Oregon

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Rick Balestra, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital

Providence Medford Medical Center

Providence St. Vincent Medical Center

Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center

The Oregon Clinic

Providence

Providence Portland Medical Center

Legacy Health

Providence Milwaukie Hospital

Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center

Providence Seaside Hospital

PROVIDENCE HEALTH AND SERVICES OREGON

THE OREGON CLINIC, PC

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. Rick Balestra, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: First Choice Health, TRICARE Prime, TRICARE For Life, CIGNA PPO, CIGNA Open Access Plus, United Healthcare, TRICARE, Medicaid, Blue California, CHAMPVA, United Healthcare PPO, United Healthcare POS, Providence, Regence, US Family Health Plan, Medicare AB, Aetna PROV Employee POS, Moda Connexus Network, Age Right Marquis Advantage and Samaritan Health Plan Med Advantage.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Rick Balestra, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

First Choice Health

TRICARE Prime

TRICARE For Life

CIGNA PPO

CIGNA Open Access Plus

United Healthcare

TRICARE

Medicaid

Blue California

CHAMPVA

United Healthcare PPO

United Healthcare POS

Providence

Regence

US Family Health Plan

Medicare AB

Aetna PROV Employee POS

Moda Connexus Network

Age Right Marquis Advantage

Samaritan Health Plan Med Advantage

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Rick Balestra, MD does not have any reviews yet, be the first to leave a review of Dr. Rick Balestra, MD here: Leave a Review

(No ratings)

Leave a Review

General Payments

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

**Payments by Company**
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.	$7,280 Da Vinci Surgical System $4,280	ION $3,000
Pulmonx Corporation	$1,282 Pulmonx Endobronchial Valve EBV $1,282
Getinge USA Sales, LLC	$625 VASOVIEW Hemopro 2 $625
Ethicon Inc.	$447 Monarch $447
Covidien LP	$272 superDimension $272
Other	$222 NUCALA $52	$170

**Types of Payments**
Education	$6,000
Travel and Lodging	$3,686
Food and Beverage	$441

Biography

Dr. Rick Balestra is a specialist in critical care (intensive care medicine) and adult pulmonology. Dr. Balestra's areas of expertise consist of emphysema and bronchoscopy. His professional affiliations include Providence Milwaukie Hospital, Providence Portland Medical Center, and The Oregon Clinic. He accepts Regence, Blue California, and United Healthcare POS, in addition to other insurance carriers. He obtained his medical school training at the University of Buenos Aires Faculty of Medicine and performed his residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia. He has received professional recognition including the following: Outstanding Resident Award, Albert Einstein Medical Center.