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Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD

Accepting New Patients

(408 Ratings)

Specializes in: General Ophthalmology

105 Trinity Place
Athens, GA 30607

(706) 549-9993

Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD is an ophthalmologist in Athens, GA specializing in general ophthalmology. Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD is affiliated with Piedmont Healthcare.

Office Locations

Piedmont Healthcare

105 Trinity Place
Athens, GA 30607

(706) 549-9993

(706) 549-4047

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Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD in 2023

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

Top 5%

By Volume:

extracapsular cataract extraction with IOL implantation

laser surgery

YAG laser capsulotomy

In 2023, Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD performed more extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with IOL implantation, laser surgery, and YAG laser capsulotomy procedures for Medicare patients than 95% of providers in related specialties within Georgia.

Top 25%

By Affordability:

glaucoma surgery

In 2012, Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD had a list price for glaucoma surgery that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 75% of providers in related specialties within Georgia. 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. Walter A. Sams IV, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Athens, GA during 2012 were eye procedures, ultrasound (sonogram), capsulotomy and laser treatment.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	25
doctor visit	272
eye procedures	2074
laser treatment	25
ultrasound (sonogram)	52

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Athens, GA during 2013 were eye procedures, ultrasound (sonogram), capsulotomy and laser treatment.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	40
doctor visit	322
eye procedures	2394
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures	17
laser treatment	40
ultrasound (sonogram)	55

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD.

**Gender**
Male	438
Female	608

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	861
Black	160
Hispanic	11
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	507
From 75 to 84	288
85 and over	112
Less than 65	139

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD in 2013

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	20
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	34
Dementia	8
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Athens, GA during 2014 were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and ultrasound (sonogram).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	64
doctor visit	289
eye procedures	2605
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures	21
laser treatment	64
ultrasound (sonogram)	53

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD.

**Gender**
Male	476
Female	653

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	950
Black	142
Hispanic	13
Asian	12
Other	12
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	554
From 75 to 84	322
85 and over	116
Less than 65	137

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD in 2014

Hypertension	69
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	18
Chronic Kidney Disease	22
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	32
Dementia	9
Cancer	8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Athens, GA during 2015 were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and ultrasound (sonogram).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	110
doctor visit	358
eye procedures	2963
laser treatment	110
ultrasound (sonogram)	35

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD.

**Gender**
Male	1104
Female	1404

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	2146
Black	292
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	36
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	1334
From 75 to 84	752
85 and over	214
Less than 65	208

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD in 2015

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	18
Chronic Kidney Disease	22
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	29
Dementia	7
Cancer	9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Athens, GA during 2016 were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and ultrasound (sonogram).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	148
doctor visit	361
eye procedures	3048
laser treatment	148
ultrasound (sonogram)	48

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD.

**Gender**
Male	520
Female	728

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1066
Black	142
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	22
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	662
From 75 to 84	397
85 and over	104
Less than 65	85

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD in 2016

Hypertension	67
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	16
Chronic Kidney Disease	26
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	28
Dementia	7
Cancer	9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Athens, GA during 2017 were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and ultrasound (sonogram).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	191
doctor visit	400
eye procedures	3137
laser treatment	191
ultrasound (sonogram)	28

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD.

**Gender**
Male	544
Female	738

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1127
Black	124
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	20
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	663
From 75 to 84	426
85 and over	109
Less than 65	84

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD in 2017

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	32
Depression	16
Chronic Kidney Disease	29
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	30
Dementia	8
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Athens, GA during 2018 were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and ultrasound (sonogram).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	198
doctor visit	340
eye procedures	3270
laser treatment	198
ultrasound (sonogram)	27

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD.

**Gender**
Male	558
Female	763

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1160
Black	119
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	25
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	678
From 75 to 84	460
85 and over	105
Less than 65	78

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD in 2018

Hypertension	66
High Cholesterol	63
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	31
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	5
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	29
Dementia	7
Cancer	9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Athens, GA during 2019 were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and ultrasound (sonogram).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	161
doctor visit	432
eye procedures	3317
laser treatment	161
ultrasound (sonogram)	30

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD.

**Gender**
Male	576
Female	739

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1168
Black	94
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	35
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	653
From 75 to 84	492
85 and over	104
Less than 65	66

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD in 2019

Hypertension	67
High Cholesterol	63
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	30
Depression	17
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	28
Dementia	5
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Athens, GA during 2020 were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and ultrasound (sonogram).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	132
doctor visit	334
eye procedures	2649
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures	12
laser treatment	132
ultrasound (sonogram)	29

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD.

**Gender**
Male	486
Female	666

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1040
Black	58
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	34
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	586
From 75 to 84	442
85 and over	87
Less than 65	37

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD in 2020

Hypertension	64
High Cholesterol	64
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	18
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	27
Dementia	7
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Athens, GA during 2021 were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and ultrasound (sonogram).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	167
doctor visit	1528
eye procedures	1854
laser treatment	167
ultrasound (sonogram)	23

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD.

**Gender**
Male	548
Female	679

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1123
Black	51
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	39
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	572
From 75 to 84	535
85 and over	95
Less than 65	25

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD in 2021

Hypertension	66
High Cholesterol	64
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	17
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	5
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	25
Dementia	7
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Athens, GA during 2022 were eye procedures, laser treatment, capsulotomy and ultrasound (sonogram).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	160
doctor visit	1466
eye procedures	1800
laser treatment	181
ultrasound (sonogram)	13

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD.

**Gender**
Male	557
Female	662

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1115
Black	45
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	41
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	537
From 75 to 84	535
85 and over	112
Less than 65	35

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD in 2022

Hypertension	72
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	23
Depression	15
Chronic Kidney Disease	17
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	24
Dementia	5
Cancer	15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Athens, GA were eye procedures, laser treatment, capsulotomy and ultrasound (sonogram).

capsulotomy	126
doctor visit	554
eye procedures	2646
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures	16
laser treatment	128
ultrasound (sonogram)	35

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD.

**Gender**
Male	527
Female	694

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	111
Asian / Pacific Islander	1
Non-Hispanic White	1068
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	2
Other	24

**Age**
75 to 84	422
85 and over	105
Less than 65	81
65 to 74	613

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	61
High Cholesterol	55
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	15
Chronic Kidney Disease	22
Asthma	6
Osteoporosis	7
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	26
Atrial Fibrillation	9
Dementia	6
Cancer	9

Education & Training

He completed residency at University of Virginia Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and has a state license in Georgia.

Residency: University of Virginia Affiliated Hospitals (2008)

Board Certification: American Board of Ophthalmology

Licensed In: Georgia

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Piedmont Healthcare

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. Walter A. Sams IV, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Aetna Medicare, WellCare, Medicare Advantage, Humana Medicare Advantage, United Healthcare, Aetna, TRICARE, Medicaid, Humana, Cigna, Blue California, Anthem, Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), Beech Street, Kaiser Permanente, LifeWell Health Plans, Alliant Health Plans SoloCare (including Core & Select), Sonder, Alliant SimpleCare/4Corners, Pruitt Health Premier (AllyAlign), Peach State, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (Ryan White Part A), CareSource, Ambetter (including Core & Select), Georgia Health Advantage and CareSource Dual Advantage (HMO D-SNP only).

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

Aetna Medicare

WellCare

Medicare Advantage

Humana Medicare Advantage

United Healthcare

Aetna

TRICARE

Medicaid

Humana

Cigna

Blue California

Anthem

Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)

Beech Street

Kaiser Permanente

LifeWell Health Plans

Alliant Health Plans SoloCare (including Core & Select)

Sonder

Alliant SimpleCare/4Corners

Pruitt Health Premier (AllyAlign)

Peach State

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (Ryan White Part A)

CareSource

Ambetter (including Core & Select)

Georgia Health Advantage

CareSource Dual Advantage (HMO D-SNP only)

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 408 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Athens, GA.

4.7

Overall Rating

(408 Ratings)

Leave a Review

Reviews Left On DocSpot

Overall Rating: 5.0 2021-11-28

Dr. Sams shows genuine concern for his patients, never in a rush, takes time to explain, answer questions and has a friendly mannerism. I've been seeing him for 3 years and would not even consider another doctor for  my eye health. I highly recommend him.

General Payments

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

**Payments by Company**
RxSight Inc	$12,402 RXSIGHT INJECTOR CARTRIDGE $9,175	RXSIGHT LIGHT ADJUSTABLE LENS (RXLAL) $2,027	RXSIGHT LIGHT DELIVERY DEVICE (LDD) $1,200
Alcon Vision LLC	$353 ARGOS $68	Rocklatan $43	Simbrinza $41	Centurion $27	Rhopressa $18	Other $157
Alcon Laboratories Inc	$263 ORA $77	ReSTOR $47	Simbrinza $40	CyPass $26	AcrySof $20	Other $53
Allergan Inc.	$184 RESTASIS $92	NATRELLE IMPLANTS $19	LUMIGAN $14	$58
Allergan, Inc.	$113 VUITY $57	RESTASIS MULTIDOSE $41	LUMIGAN $15
Other	$330 Oxervate $36	TYRVAYA $34	TEPEZZA $28	Rhopressa $28	ZIOPTAN $25	Other $178

**Types of Payments**
Consulting Fee	$12,375
Food and Beverage	$1,270

Biography

Dr. Walter Sams' area of specialization is general ophthalmology. The average patient rating for Dr. Sams is 4.5 stars (out of 5). Dr. Sams is affiliated with Piedmont Healthcare. He can take Anthem, Blue California, Viant, and more. According to Piedmont Healthcare, new patients are welcome to contact Dr. Sams's office in Athens, GA. He studied medicine at Medical College of Georgia. For his professional training, Dr. Sams completed a residency program at a hospital affiliated with the University of Virginia.

Select Year:

Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD

Office Locations

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD in 2023

By Volume:

By Affordability:

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD in 2013

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD in 2014

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD in 2015

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD in 2016

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD in 2017

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD in 2018

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD in 2019

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD in 2020

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD in 2021

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD in 2022

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter A. Sams IV, MD From 2012 - 2022

Education & Training

Affiliations & Hospitals

Insurance Information

Ratings & Reviews

General Payments

Biography

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