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Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD

(6 Ratings)

Specializes in: Adult Nephrology

University of Monterrey Faculty of Medicine

Professional interests include: cardiorenal syndrome, diabetes insipidus, polycystic kidney disease, and more.

20911 Earl Street Suite 200
Torrance, CA 90503

(310) 542-7997

Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD is a nephrologist in Torrance, CA specializing in adult nephrology. He graduated from University of Monterrey Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD is affiliated with Torrance Memorial, Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance and Providence.

Office Locations

Torrance Memorial

20911 Earl Street Suite 200
Torrance, CA 90503

(310) 542-2607

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Some issues Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD can help you with:

Dialysis

Dialysis is a procedure that replicates renal (kidney) function by filtering patients' blood. When kidneys do not work properly, waste can accumulate in the blood and unbalanced chemicals can impair the body's critical functions. In order to stay healthy, a person without proper kidney function must receive dialysis. There are two forms of dialysis treatment: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Both forms of dialysis are recurring treatments that in many cases last throughout the lifetime of the affected patient. Patients who briefly lose renal function may slowly reduce the frequency of dialysis sessions until their kidneys recover. However, most patients who start on dialysis remain on dialysis for the rest of their lives or until they receive a kidney transplant.

A number of conditions can worsen renal function and lead to end-stage or acute kidney failure. When kidneys fail (i.e. nearly 90 percent of their function is lost), dialysis is typically prescribed. Conditions that cause chronic kidney failure (eventually requiring dialysis) include:

Type 1 and 2 Diabetes
Pyelonephritis, recurring kidney infection
Glomerulonephritis, inflammation of the kidney's filtering parts
Polycystic kidney disease
Interstitial nephritis, inflammation of the kidney's tubules
High blood pressure
Vesicoureteral reflux, improper bladder emptying

For hemodialysis (the more common form of dialysis), a patient will visit a hospital or clinic and be connected to a dialysis machine by a needle attached to a tube that draws blood from the arm. The drawn blood is transferred to the dialysis machine, where it is filtered and separated until clean. Waste products from the blood pass into a fluid called dialysate, which is pumped out of the machine into a waste receptacle. The machine also measures and helps ensure the blood has the appropriate level of fluid, electrolytes, and pH. A tube delivers the cleaned blood back into the patient's body. A dialysis session like this will typically last for three to four hours, with a patient undergoing dialysis around three times per week.

A second method of dialysis is known as peritoneal dialysis. Unlike hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis can be performed at home by oneself after an initial surgery. To start, a physician (generally a surgeon) will make a small incision in the lower abdomen and insert and surgically attach a catheter (thin tube). At home, the patient connects a pump to the abdomen catheter, delivering dialysate (dialysis fluid) from a bag hanging on a wheeled stand. This fluid enters the peritoneal cavity (greater abdomen area containing the stomach, liver, and intestines) and collects waste through osmosis, where waste in the blood moves across a membrane and into the dialysate. This process continues for several hours until the fluid concentration is equal between the blood and dialysate, at which point the fluid can be drained. The fluid can then be passed through a machine called a cycler, which removes waste and allows for the dialysate to be reused. This process is repeated about four times per day. Dialysis patients must limit the amount of fluid they consume prior to receiving dialysis and should also avoid eating salty foods. The cycler cannot filter more than a certain amount of waste products from the blood.

Kidneys are important organs, and dialysis treatments are vital for those with renal dysfunction. For many, dialysis is not so much a medical procedure but a part of their normal life.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD treated as a nephrologist in Torrance, CA during 2012 were lab tests, hospital care, inpatient care and blood draw.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD for Medicare patients.

blood draw	637
diabetes management	55
doctor visit	1747
hospital care	838
inpatient care	838
lab tests	1204
musculoskeletal imaging	13
nursing home care	26
preventive care	270
spinal procedures	13
thyroid function tests	60
vaccines	97
X-rays	26

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD treated as a nephrologist in Torrance, CA during 2013 were hospital care, inpatient care, preventive care and vaccines.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD for Medicare patients.

dialysis	12
doctor visit	1071
hospital care	579
inpatient care	579
preventive care	101
vaccines	101

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD.

**Gender**
Male	230
Female	258

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	323
Black	43
Hispanic	69
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	158
From 75 to 84	164
85 and over	111
Less than 65	55

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD in 2013

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	46
Depression	11
Chronic Kidney Disease	69
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	31
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	46
Dementia	14
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD treated as a nephrologist in Torrance, CA during 2014 were hospital care, inpatient care, preventive care and vaccines.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	1015
hospital care	651
inpatient care	651
preventive care	50
vaccines	50

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD.

**Gender**
Male	215
Female	247

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	304
Black	0
Hispanic	57
Asian	56
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	144
From 75 to 84	165
85 and over	113
Less than 65	40

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD in 2014

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	62
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	44
Depression	16
Chronic Kidney Disease	67
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	30
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	47
Dementia	13
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD treated as a nephrologist in Torrance, CA during 2015 were hospital care, inpatient care, preventive care and vaccines.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD for Medicare patients.

dialysis	20
doctor visit	1033
hospital care	480
inpatient care	480
preventive care	42
vaccines	42

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD.

**Gender**
Male	370
Female	478

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	590
Black	0
Hispanic	82
Asian	98
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	252
From 75 to 84	320
85 and over	210
Less than 65	66

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD in 2015

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	67
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	42
Depression	18
Chronic Kidney Disease	65
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	31
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	45
Dementia	14
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD treated as a nephrologist in Torrance, CA during 2016 were hospital care, inpatient care, preventive care and vaccines.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	860
hospital care	258
inpatient care	258
preventive care	44
vaccines	44

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD.

**Gender**
Male	185
Female	245

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	286
Black	0
Hispanic	49
Asian	54
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	125
From 75 to 84	164
85 and over	100
Less than 65	41

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD in 2016

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	37
Depression	14
Chronic Kidney Disease	69
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	27
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	48
Dementia	14
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD treated as a nephrologist in Torrance, CA during 2017 were hospital care, inpatient care, preventive care and vaccines.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	775
hospital care	406
inpatient care	406
preventive care	26
vaccines	26

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD.

**Gender**
Male	193
Female	206

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	275
Black	0
Hispanic	37
Asian	48
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	121
From 75 to 84	145
85 and over	98
Less than 65	35

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD in 2017

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	41
Depression	14
Chronic Kidney Disease	69
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	30
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	46
Dementia	14
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD treated as a nephrologist in Torrance, CA during 2018 were hospital care, inpatient care, preventive care and vaccines.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	573
hospital care	368
inpatient care	368
preventive care	30
vaccines	30

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD.

**Gender**
Male	171
Female	174

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	233
Black	0
Hispanic	36
Asian	40
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	114
From 75 to 84	133
85 and over	72
Less than 65	26

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD in 2018

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	62
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	41
Depression	15
Chronic Kidney Disease	70
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	28
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	45
Dementia	10
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD treated as a nephrologist in Torrance, CA during 2019 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	757
hospital care	322
inpatient care	322

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD.

**Gender**
Male	178
Female	181

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	234
Black	27
Hispanic	36
Asian	48
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	122
From 75 to 84	140
85 and over	68
Less than 65	29

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD in 2019

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	40
Depression	16
Chronic Kidney Disease	70
Asthma	5
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	25
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	43
Dementia	11
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD treated as a nephrologist in Torrance, CA during 2020 were hospital care, inpatient care, preventive care and vaccines.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	617
hospital care	162
inpatient care	162
preventive care	17
vaccines	17

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD.

**Gender**
Male	167
Female	176

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	214
Black	29
Hispanic	31
Asian	48
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	117
From 75 to 84	128
85 and over	70
Less than 65	28

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD in 2020

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	36
Depression	15
Chronic Kidney Disease	70
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	25
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	42
Dementia	12
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD treated as a nephrologist in Torrance, CA during 2021 were hospital care, inpatient care and dialysis.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD for Medicare patients.

dialysis	12
doctor visit	633
hospital care	389
inpatient care	389

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD.

**Gender**
Male	162
Female	186

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	210
Black	27
Hispanic	36
Asian	57
Other	18
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	113
From 75 to 84	128
85 and over	79
Less than 65	28

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD in 2021

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	64
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	36
Depression	17
Chronic Kidney Disease	72
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	31
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	46
Dementia	14
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD treated as a nephrologist in Torrance, CA during 2022 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	601
hospital care	303
inpatient care	303

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD.

**Gender**
Male	175
Female	166

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	220
Black	31
Hispanic	24
Asian	50
Other	16
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	105
From 75 to 84	121
85 and over	93
Less than 65	22

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD in 2022

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	11
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	14
Chronic Kidney Disease	67
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	20
Heart Failure	26
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	41
Dementia	12
Cancer	19

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD treated as a nephrologist in Torrance, CA were lab tests, blood draw, inpatient care and hospital care.

blood draw	637
diabetes management	55
dialysis	14
doctor visit	880
hospital care	432
inpatient care	432
lab tests	1204
musculoskeletal imaging	13
nursing home care	26
preventive care	72
spinal procedures	13
thyroid function tests	60
vaccines	50
X-rays	26

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD.

**Gender**
Male	186
Female	210

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	14
Asian / Pacific Islander	45
Non-Hispanic White	262
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	41
Other	3

**Age**
75 to 84	146
85 and over	92
Less than 65	33
65 to 74	124

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD treated were hypertension, chronic kidney disease, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	55
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	13
Chronic Kidney Disease	62
Asthma	7
Osteoporosis	7
Heart Failure	25
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	40
Atrial Fibrillation	13
Dementia	11
Cancer	10

Education & Training

Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD graduated from University of Monterrey Faculty of Medicine. He completed residency at Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and has a state license in California.

Medical School: University of Monterrey Faculty of Medicine

Residency: Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center

Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Nephrology

Licensed In: California

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Torrance Memorial

Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance

Providence

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. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Aetna PPO, Anthem Blue Cross HMO, Aetna HMO, Blue Shield of California, Interplan PPO, Medicare Advantage, CIGNA PPO, Health Net HMO, CIGNA HMO, Medicare and Medicaid.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

Aetna PPO

Anthem Blue Cross HMO

Aetna HMO

Blue Shield of California

Interplan PPO

Medicare Advantage

CIGNA PPO

Health Net HMO

CIGNA HMO

Medicare

Medicaid

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD has a good overall rating with an average of 2.83 out of 5 stars based on 6 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Steven Alan Sawelson, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Torrance, CA.

2.83

Overall Rating

(6 Ratings)

Leave a Review

General Payments

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

**Payments by Company**
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP	$915 FARXIGA $598	LOKELMA $282	SYMBICORT $19	ONGLYZA $16
Amgen Inc.	$745 Sensipar $333	Repatha $269	Parsabiv $125	$17
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.	$665 JYNARQUE $597	SAMSCA $67
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.	$493 Kerendia $493
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	$414 SYNJARDY $122	JARDIANCE $86	TRIJARDY XR $76	SYNJARDY XR $75	JENTADUETO XR $38	Other $18
Other	$3,712 ACTHAR $560	VELTASSA $429	Auryxia $220	BYSTOLIC $212	LUPKYNIS $167	Other $2,126

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$6,833
Education	$86
Consulting Fee	$25

Biography

Dr. Steven Sawelson is an adult nephrology specialist in Torrance, CA. He is rated 3.0 stars (out of 5) by his patients. Dr. Sawelson's areas of expertise include the following: polycystic kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, and edema (swelling from fluid retention). His professional affiliations include Torrance Memorial and Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance. He accepts Anthem, Blue California, HealthSmart, and more. Dr. Sawelson attended medical school at the University of Monterrey Faculty of Medicine and Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM) School of Medicine. His residency was performed at Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center. In addition to English, Dr. Sawelson (or staff) speaks Spanish and German.