Medicare Procedure and Patient Information
2012 Medicare Procedure Volume
Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD for Medicare patients.
| doctor visit | 19 |
|---|
Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD is a spine surgeon in Palm Springs, CA specializing in spine surgery and neurosurgery. She graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 2005 and has 21 years of experience. Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD is affiliated with Providence, Providence Holy Cross Medical Center and Providence Medical Foundation.
Craniotomy
Craniotomy and craniectomy are surgical procedures used to access the brain and treat tumors, intracranial pressure, or other conditions. These surgeries are performed by creating holes in the skull, or cranium, to expose the brain. The opening in the skull can be immediately replaced (craniotomy), or it can be replaced during a later procedure (craniectomy). The following procedures use craniotomy or craniectomy:
To perform a craniotomy, the surgeon will need to make an incision on the scalp to expose the skull. Some of the hair may be shaved, and the scalp will be cleaned with antiseptic solution. Following the incision, the surgeon will use a drill to remove a piece of the skull, called a bone or skull flap. If the surgeon needs to reach a tumor or perform an aspiration, the dura, which covers the brain, will be incised (cut) to access the lesion. The bone flap will be reattached once the surgeon has completed the procedure. If the surgeon is performing a craniectomy, the same steps will be followed, but a mesh piece will be placed where the bone flap was, and the scalp will be surgically closed. Patients will need to wear a special helmet for a few months after the procedure. The bone flap will be preserved and replaced during a later operation, or it may never be replaced.
Patient recovery period can range from two days to two weeks, depending on the specific procedure and condition. Patient will require monitoring and may be given medication for pain or brain swelling. Patients will have to restrict their physical activity for some time after the procedure, and they may need to work with a physical therapist.
Hydrocephalus
Normally, the brain is bathed in a liquid called cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid cushions and nurtures the brain cells as it flows around and through the brain. Sometimes, cerebrospinal fluid does not get reabsorbed into the body properly, or a blockage in the brain can stop it from flowing. This causes a buildup of pressure called hydrocephalus. This condition affects a wide range of people, but it is much more prevalent among infants and older adults. Left untreated, hydrocephalus can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as headaches and blurred vision, and eventually may cause brain damage.
Hydrocephalus is most often treated with an implanted device called a shunt. A shunt is a long, thin tube that is used to drain excess fluid. One end is placed within the brain. The tube runs under the skin, along the neck behind the ear, and to another part of the body where the fluid can be reabsorbed. Most often this is the abdomen, but the chest or other areas can also be used. Shunts have a valve that allows doctors to monitor and control the pressure within the brain. Insertion of a shunt is a surgical procedure that takes one to two hours. Incisions are made in the head and the abdomen, and the shunt is threaded into place before the openings are stitched closed.
In cases where hydrocephalus is caused by a blockage, a procedure called endoscopic third ventriculostomy, or ETV, may be performed. During this procedure, a surgeon makes a dime-sized hole in the skull and uses a thin tube with a camera on the end (called an endoscope) to see inside the brain. The surgeon punctures a hole in the floor of the third ventricle, a fluid-filled space within the brain. The hole provides an opening for cerebrospinal fluid to flow around the blockage, normalizing pressure. The entire procedure usually takes less than an hour and patients can often go home the following day. ETV can provide a permanent and safe alternative to a shunt, but it is only useful for patients whose hydrocephalus is caused by a blockage.
Spinal Fusion
Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure to permanently join together two or more vertebrae, the bones in the spine. Certain spinal disorders can lead to instability and pain, and the idea behind spinal fusion is that fusing vertebrae together can both make them stronger and reduce motion, which can sometimes reduce pain.
There are several different types of spinal fusion surgery available, mostly depending on where a patient's pain is located and whether his or her surgeon will perform the procedure through the back, front, or side. In general, a fusion is performed by packing the vertebrae to be fused with grafted bone. This bone may be taken from the patient's hip, may be donated from a cadaver, or it may be a manufactured synthetic material. The bone is placed along the vertebrae, and sometimes, the disc that lies in between the vertebrae is removed and replaced with grafted bone. The bone material will grow and cement the two vertebrae together. After the bone graft is placed, the vertebrae are sometimes held in place with rods, screws, plates, or cages, depending on the weakness of the spine and needs of the graft.
Spinal fusion is a significant surgery and can take three to four hours or more. Recovery is typically two to four days in the hospital. After surgery, it is important to remember that the fusion takes time to grow from the bone graft. So, the actual fusion is not complete for several months. Patients will probably feel somewhat better right away, but it may take a while to feel the full effects of the fusion as the bone grows into place. In the meantime, doctors might have patients wear a brace to protect their spine and keep it properly aligned.
Spinal fusion is not used for all kinds of back pain. Changing the way the spine moves can lead to strain on the other joints in the back, and fusion is only performed when the benefits outweigh the risks. Some spine disorders that are treated with fusion include:
Regardless of the diagnosis, there is always a possibility of 'failure' with spinal fusion, or of the surgery not fully solving the pain. This is more likely when fusion is used primarily to treat pain instead of structural problems. Patients can improve their chances of a successful outcome by stopping smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, moving their body every day, and following their doctor's instructions for any physical therapy that they are prescribed.
Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD for Medicare patients.
| doctor visit | 19 |
|---|
The top procedures that Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Palm Springs, CA during 2013 were hospital care and inpatient care.
Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD for Medicare patients.
| hospital care | 53 |
|---|---|
| inpatient care | 53 |
Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD.
| Male | 11 |
|---|---|
| Female | 21 |
| Non-Hispanic White | 21 |
|---|---|
| Black | 0 |
| Hispanic | 0 |
| Asian | 0 |
| Other | 0 |
| Native American | 0 |
| From 65 to 74 | 12 |
|---|---|
| From 75 to 84 | 0 |
| 85 and over | 0 |
| Less than 65 | 0 |
| Hypertension | 75 |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | 66 |
| Stroke | 44 |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | 41 |
| Depression | 38 |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | 0 |
| Asthma | 0 |
| Osteoperosis | 0 |
| Atrial Fibrilation | 0 |
| Heart Failure | 0 |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | 0 |
| Diabetes | 0 |
| Dementia | 0 |
| Cancer | 0 |
The top procedures that Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Palm Springs, CA during 2014 were hospital care and inpatient care.
Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD for Medicare patients.
| hospital care | 51 |
|---|---|
| inpatient care | 51 |
Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD.
| Male | 28 |
|---|---|
| Female | 25 |
| Non-Hispanic White | 42 |
|---|---|
| Black | 0 |
| Hispanic | 0 |
| Asian | 0 |
| Other | 0 |
| Native American | 0 |
| From 65 to 74 | 19 |
|---|---|
| From 75 to 84 | 18 |
| 85 and over | 0 |
| Less than 65 | 0 |
| Hypertension | 75 |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | 70 |
| Stroke | 43 |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | 38 |
| Depression | 40 |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | 43 |
| Asthma | 0 |
| Osteoperosis | 0 |
| Atrial Fibrilation | 25 |
| Heart Failure | 28 |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | 0 |
| Diabetes | 36 |
| Dementia | 30 |
| Cancer | 0 |
The top procedures that Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Palm Springs, CA during 2015 were hospital care and inpatient care.
Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD for Medicare patients.
| doctor visit | 44 |
|---|---|
| hospital care | 105 |
| inpatient care | 105 |
Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD.
| Male | 92 |
|---|---|
| Female | 92 |
| Non-Hispanic White | 136 |
|---|---|
| Black | 0 |
| Hispanic | 0 |
| Asian | 0 |
| Other | 0 |
| Native American | 0 |
| From 65 to 74 | 60 |
|---|---|
| From 75 to 84 | 66 |
| 85 and over | 0 |
| Less than 65 | 0 |
| Hypertension | 75 |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | 73 |
| Stroke | 42 |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | 41 |
| Depression | 35 |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | 47 |
| Asthma | 0 |
| Osteoperosis | 0 |
| Atrial Fibrilation | 18 |
| Heart Failure | 24 |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | 15 |
| Diabetes | 38 |
| Dementia | 30 |
| Cancer | 24 |
The top procedures that Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Palm Springs, CA during 2016 were hospital care and inpatient care.
Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD for Medicare patients.
| hospital care | 99 |
|---|---|
| inpatient care | 99 |
Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD.
| Male | 28 |
|---|---|
| Female | 39 |
| Non-Hispanic White | 33 |
|---|---|
| Black | 0 |
| Hispanic | 0 |
| Asian | 0 |
| Other | 0 |
| Native American | 0 |
| From 65 to 74 | 21 |
|---|---|
| From 75 to 84 | 22 |
| 85 and over | 0 |
| Less than 65 | 0 |
| Hypertension | 75 |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | 60 |
| Stroke | 42 |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | 49 |
| Depression | 48 |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | 52 |
| Asthma | 16 |
| Osteoperosis | 0 |
| Atrial Fibrilation | 18 |
| Heart Failure | 33 |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | 0 |
| Diabetes | 58 |
| Dementia | 46 |
| Cancer | 0 |
The top procedures that Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Palm Springs, CA during 2017 were hospital care and inpatient care.
Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD for Medicare patients.
| doctor visit | 62 |
|---|---|
| hospital care | 172 |
| inpatient care | 172 |
Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD.
| Male | 55 |
|---|---|
| Female | 73 |
| Non-Hispanic White | 60 |
|---|---|
| Black | 0 |
| Hispanic | 50 |
| Asian | 0 |
| Other | 0 |
| Native American | 0 |
| From 65 to 74 | 47 |
|---|---|
| From 75 to 84 | 32 |
| 85 and over | 20 |
| Less than 65 | 29 |
| Hypertension | 75 |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | 55 |
| Stroke | 27 |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | 44 |
| Depression | 39 |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | 51 |
| Asthma | 12 |
| Osteoperosis | 19 |
| Atrial Fibrilation | 18 |
| Heart Failure | 41 |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | 29 |
| Diabetes | 49 |
| Dementia | 27 |
| Cancer | 12 |
The top procedures that Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Palm Springs, CA during 2018 were hospital care and inpatient care.
Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD for Medicare patients.
| doctor visit | 59 |
|---|---|
| hospital care | 95 |
| inpatient care | 95 |
Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD.
| Male | 36 |
|---|---|
| Female | 56 |
| Non-Hispanic White | 47 |
|---|---|
| Black | 0 |
| Hispanic | 26 |
| Asian | 0 |
| Other | 0 |
| Native American | 0 |
| From 65 to 74 | 27 |
|---|---|
| From 75 to 84 | 25 |
| 85 and over | 16 |
| Less than 65 | 24 |
| Hypertension | 75 |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | 64 |
| Stroke | 22 |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | 35 |
| Depression | 54 |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | 48 |
| Asthma | 16 |
| Osteoperosis | 22 |
| Atrial Fibrilation | 13 |
| Heart Failure | 35 |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | 29 |
| Diabetes | 46 |
| Dementia | 33 |
| Cancer | 13 |
The top procedures that Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Palm Springs, CA during 2019 were hospital care and inpatient care.
Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD for Medicare patients.
| doctor visit | 74 |
|---|---|
| hospital care | 118 |
| inpatient care | 118 |
Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD.
| Male | 59 |
|---|---|
| Female | 54 |
| Non-Hispanic White | 45 |
|---|---|
| Black | 0 |
| Hispanic | 47 |
| Asian | 0 |
| Other | 0 |
| Native American | 0 |
| From 65 to 74 | 45 |
|---|---|
| From 75 to 84 | 29 |
| 85 and over | 17 |
| Less than 65 | 22 |
| Hypertension | 75 |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | 60 |
| Stroke | 18 |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | 43 |
| Depression | 41 |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | 49 |
| Asthma | 0 |
| Osteoperosis | 18 |
| Atrial Fibrilation | 10 |
| Heart Failure | 37 |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | 18 |
| Diabetes | 49 |
| Dementia | 26 |
| Cancer | 0 |
The top procedures that Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Palm Springs, CA during 2020 were hospital care and inpatient care.
Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD for Medicare patients.
| doctor visit | 13 |
|---|---|
| hospital care | 31 |
| inpatient care | 31 |
Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD.
| Male | 24 |
|---|---|
| Female | 28 |
| Non-Hispanic White | 26 |
|---|---|
| Black | 0 |
| Hispanic | 0 |
| Asian | 0 |
| Other | 0 |
| Native American | 0 |
| From 65 to 74 | 24 |
|---|---|
| From 75 to 84 | 0 |
| 85 and over | 0 |
| Less than 65 | 0 |
| Hypertension | 75 |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | 67 |
| Stroke | 35 |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | 35 |
| Depression | 38 |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | 46 |
| Asthma | 0 |
| Osteoperosis | 21 |
| Atrial Fibrilation | 0 |
| Heart Failure | 42 |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | 25 |
| Diabetes | 35 |
| Dementia | 33 |
| Cancer | 21 |
The top procedures that Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Palm Springs, CA during 2021 were hospital care and inpatient care.
Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD for Medicare patients.
| hospital care | 48 |
|---|---|
| inpatient care | 48 |
Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD.
| Male | 25 |
|---|---|
| Female | 31 |
| Non-Hispanic White | 27 |
|---|---|
| Black | 0 |
| Hispanic | 17 |
| Asian | 0 |
| Other | 0 |
| Native American | 0 |
| From 65 to 74 | 27 |
|---|---|
| From 75 to 84 | 0 |
| 85 and over | 0 |
| Less than 65 | 0 |
| Hypertension | 73 |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | 66 |
| Stroke | 25 |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | 36 |
| Depression | 41 |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | 52 |
| Asthma | 0 |
| Osteoperosis | 29 |
| Atrial Fibrilation | 0 |
| Heart Failure | 41 |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | 0 |
| Diabetes | 39 |
| Dementia | 29 |
| Cancer | 0 |
| Hypertension | 75 |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | 0 |
| Stroke | 0 |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | 0 |
| Depression | 0 |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | 0 |
| Asthma | 0 |
| Osteoperosis | 0 |
| Atrial Fibrilation | 0 |
| Heart Failure | 0 |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | 0 |
| Diabetes | 0 |
| Dementia | 0 |
| Cancer | 0 |
Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD for Medicare patients.
| doctor visit | 31 |
|---|
Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD.
| Male | 30 |
|---|---|
| Female | 26 |
| From 65 to 74 | 21 |
|---|---|
| From 75 to 84 | 18 |
| 85 and over | 0 |
| Less than 65 | 0 |
| Hypertension | 75 |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | 66 |
| Stroke | 0 |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | 0 |
| Depression | 34 |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | 21 |
| Asthma | 0 |
| Osteoperosis | 0 |
| Atrial Fibrilation | 0 |
| Heart Failure | 21 |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | 21 |
| Diabetes | 0 |
| Dementia | 0 |
| Cancer | 0 |
Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD for Medicare patients.
The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Palm Springs, CA were hospital care and inpatient care.
| doctor visit | 43 |
|---|---|
| hospital care | 85 |
| inpatient care | 85 |
Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD.
| Male | 32 |
|---|---|
| Female | 37 |
| Black / African American | 0 |
|---|---|
| Asian / Pacific Islander | 0 |
| Non-Hispanic White | 36 |
| Hispanic | 11 |
| Native American / Alaskan Native | 0 |
| Other | 0 |
| 75 to 84 | 17 |
|---|---|
| 85 and over | 4 |
| Less than 65 | 6 |
| 65 to 74 | 25 |
The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease and depression.
| Hypertension | 68 |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | 53 |
| Stroke | 24 |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | 30 |
| Depression | 34 |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | 34 |
| Asthma | 3 |
| Osteoporosis | 9 |
| Heart Failure | 25 |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | 11 |
| Diabetes | 29 |
| Atrial Fibrillation | 8 |
| Cancer | 5 |
| Dementia | 21 |
Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 2005. She completed residency at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Affiliated Hospitals. She is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, Neurological Surgery and has a state license in District of Columbia.
Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine (2005)
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Affiliated Hospitals (2011)
Board Certification: American Board of Pediatrics, Neurological Surgery
Licensed In: District of Columbia
Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Aetna PPO, Aetna HMO, CIGNA PPO, Western Health Advantage HMO, Blue Shield of California, MultiPlan PPO, Medicare Advantage, HealthSmart, Interplan PPO, TriWest, Anthem Blue Cross PPO, Health Net PPO, Anthem, Coventry PPO, United Healthcare PPO, US Family Health Plan, Aetna Medicare PPO, Partnership Health Plan of California and CoventryFirst Health PPO.
According to our sources, Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 1 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Palm Springs, CA.
Doctor performed Meningioma surgery, she was very caring and patient She treated me like a patient and not a number. I felt very comfortable after the surgery. I would highly recommend Doctor Powell Avila
These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Tiffany Juliette Avila, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.
| NUVASIVE, INC. |
$1,219
XLIF $1,037 |
TLIF $65 |
Osteocel $17 |
$100 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Scientific Corporation |
$200
PAIN MANAGEMENT $143 |
GENERAL - ENDOCHOICE $33 |
$24 |
|||
| DePuy Synthes Sales Inc. |
$153
Spine $46 |
MATRIXORTHOGNATHIC $44 |
MOUNTAINEER $35 |
CERTAS $27 |
||
| KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America |
$150
VITOM 90 DETACHABLE, AUTOCLAVE $150 |
|||||
| Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. |
$149
ROI A $108 |
Biomet SpinalPak $41 |
||||
| Other |
$1,073
Neuro-Chronic Pain $118 |
Altera $85 |
OFIRMEV $56 |
Duragen $51 |
Senza Spinal Cord Stimulation System $49 |
Other $714 |
| Food and Beverage | $2,274 |
|---|---|
| Travel and Lodging | $648 |
| Gift | $23 |
Dr. Tiffany Avila is a specialist in spine surgery and neurosurgery in Eureka, CA and Palm Springs, CA. Clinical interests for Dr. Avila include spinal embolization, bypass surgery, and kyphoplasty (vertebral augmentation). She seems to honor several insurance carriers, including Anthem, Blue California, and HealthSmart. She attended Wayne State University School of Medicine and then went on to complete her residency at a hospital affiliated with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Her hospital/clinic affiliations include Providence Holy Cross Medical Center and Providence Medical Foundation. According to Providence Medical Foundation, new patients are welcome to contact Dr. Avila's office in Eureka, CA.