NPI registry status
Active
2026 NPPES data Optometrist NPI 1831126697 O.D.
Verify on CMS → Brian Baxter, O.D.
Optometrist in Durango, Colorado.
This profile is drawn from the federal National Provider Identifier Registry (CMS NPPES), which lists more than 7 million U.S. healthcare providers - including 60,463 in Optometrist, and covers specialty classification, practice address, and Medicare Part D prescribing data when reported. According to CMS, every field reflects the provider's official federal registration, see our methodology.
Federal data, no proprietary rating.
We show these CMS records as-is - no composite score, no star rating, no editorial opinion layered on top.
Prescribing volume
608
Medicare Part D claims · 208 beneficiaries · Optometrist avg: 257
Generic prescribing
49%
generic claims · 51% brand-name · higher generic rates reduce patient out-of-pocket costs
MIPS score
100/100
▲ 17 pts above national avg 83.1 · Exceptional
Industry payments
$380.47
18 payments · CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act)
Source: CMS Medicare Part D Prescriber Public Use File, 2023
Compiled from official public sources by the PlainDoctor editorial team.
What the federal data shows
Brian Baxter, O.D. reported a CMS MIPS final score of 100/100 - above the 83.1 national average - and filed 608 Medicare Part D claims in 2023.
- 100/100
- MIPS score · +17 vs avg
- 608
- Part D claims, 2023
- 49%
- generic prescribing
- $380.47
- industry payments (Sunshine Act)
Every figure on this page comes straight from federal CMS records (NPPES, Medicare Part D, MIPS, Open Payments) - no proprietary rating or editorial opinion is applied.
Brian Baxter, O.D.'s MIPS score vs every scored U.S. clinician
CMS Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) final score, 2023, the federal quality measure
100 Top 7% higher than 93% of 477,587 scored providers
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more scored providers. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source CMS Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) · 2023
Where Brian Baxter, O.D. sits
This provider among optometrist peers
Across the 6,527 optometrist providers who report both Medicare Part D prescribing and a MIPS quality score, Brian Baxter, O.D. writes more Part D claims than 70% of them and scores higher on MIPS quality than 91% - placing this provider in the high-volume, high-quality quadrant. Volume reflects patient-panel size and specialty, not quality; the two axes are independent.
Part D claim volume vs MIPS quality, by specialty percentile
Each dot is one optometrist peer from a representative sample of 60; the gold marker is Brian Baxter, O.D.. Source: CMS Medicare Part D Prescriber data and the CMS Merit-based Incentive Payment System, 2023.
What does the federal data show about Brian Baxter, O.D.?
High performer (top quartile)Primary specialty
Optometrist
Medicare Part D claims
608 137% vs specialty avg
MIPS final score
100/100 16.9 pts vs avg
Specialty distribution in Colorado
How Optometrist compares to other specialties among Colorado providers
Medicare quality performance, MIPS
Brian Baxter, O.D.'s 2023 MIPS final score plotted against the Optometrist national average
- MIPS Final Score
- 100/100
- vs 83.1 national avg · 2023 performance year
MIPS final score (Optometrist) - 100/100 vs national avg 83.1
How MIPS and board certification work
The Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) scores providers 0–100 across four performance categories: Quality, Cost, Promoting Interoperability, and Improvement Activities, weighted under 42 CFR §414.1380. Reporting is voluntary for many small practices, so absence of a MIPS score is not a quality signal.
Board certification through an ABMS or AOA member board signals voluntary post-licensure examination plus continuous Maintenance of Certification cycles. Verify any individual provider's status through certificationmatters.org (ABMS) or osteopathic.org (AOA).
Brian Baxter, O.D. appears in the CMS NPPES registry as a Optometrist provider holding O.D. credentials at 1266 ESCALANTE DR STE 301, Durango, CO, 81303, with a listed phone of (970) 828-2200. NPI 1831126697 was issued on 06/27/2006.
Medicare Part D records for calendar year 2023 show 608 prescription claims written by this provider, covering 208 Medicare beneficiaries and totaling roughly $131K in drug spend, split 51% brand-name and 49% generic by claim count. On the CMS Merit-based Incentive Payment System, this provider earned a Final Score of 100/100 for the 2023 performance year (Quality 100), compared with the national average of 83.1.
Optometrist is a high-volume specialty nationwide, with 60,463 enrolled providers across 56 states and an average of 257 Part D claims per prescriber, so the context for interpreting these metrics differs meaningfully from a primary-care baseline.
Important: PlainDoctor is a directory of publicly available government data, not medical advice, a malpractice database, or a quality rating. Inclusion here does not imply a recommendation, and absence of complaints or sanctions on this page does not mean none exist, always verify credentials through the NPPES NPI Registry, your state medical board, and the ABMS or AOA before making healthcare decisions.
Practice Address
Provider Details
| NPI | 1831126697 |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Optometrist |
| Credentials | O.D. |
| Gender | Male |
| NPI Issued | 06/27/2006 |
CMS Quality Score (MIPS)
Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) scores from CMS, 2023 performance year.
100
Final Score
Avg: 83.1
100
Quality
Reporting: Group practice
Hospital and facility affiliations
Facilities where Brian Baxter, O.D. bills Medicare from. Star ratings (1-5) are CMS Hospital Compare's "Hospital overall rating" - a composite of mortality, readmission, patient experience, safety, timely care, and efficient use of medical imaging measures. Source: CMS Care Compare.
Southwest Eye Consultants PLLC
Durango, CO
Affiliations sourced from CMS Doctors and Clinicians National Downloadable File; hospital ratings from CMS Hospital General Information dataset (cross-referenced by facility name + state).
Industry payments received (2024) - CMS Open Payments transparency data
The federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act (part of the Affordable Care Act) requires drug and medical-device manufacturers + group purchasing organizations to publicly report payments and other transfers of value to physicians and teaching hospitals. The data below covers 2024 for Brian Baxter, O.D.. Source: openpaymentsdata.cms.gov.
Total received
$380
Largest payer
ABBVIE INC.
Most common payment type
Food and Beverage
Industry payments are not necessarily indicators of bias, they include research funding, consulting fees for evidence-based work, royalties for inventions, food at conferences, and similar items. The disclosure exists for transparency. Read our methodology for how we interpret this data.
Brand vs generic prescribing mix · Brand-heavy
Brian Baxter, O.D. - brand share 51.0%
Optometrist average
51% brand-name claims vs 49% generic, on 608 2023 Medicare Part D claims.
The federal Medicare Part D Generic Dispensing Rate national benchmark sits near 90% generic / 10% brand for primary-care prescribers, per CMS Office of the Actuary 2024 estimates. Higher brand share is common in specialty prescribing where generic equivalents are not available.
Medicare Part D Prescribing Data
CMS Medicare Part D prescriber-level data for calendar year 2023.
608
Total Claims
$131K
Total Drug Cost
208
Medicare Beneficiaries
Prescribing Breakdown
- 30-Day Fills
- 1,044
- Total Day Supply
- 29,376
- Brand vs Generic
- 51% brand / 49% generic
- Brand Drug Cost
- $111K
- Generic Drug Cost
- $20K
- Antibiotic Claims
- 37
Patient Demographics
- Average Patient Age
- 76.1 years
- Avg HCC Risk Score
- 1.15
- Gender Split
- 63% female / 37% male
- Age Distribution
- <65: 11, 65-74: 74, 75-84: 90, 85+: 33
Top Prescribed Drugs (Medicare Part D)
Top drugs by claim count for calendar year 2023. Based on Medicare Part D data only.
What Brian Baxter, O.D. prescribes most
Top Medicare Part D drugs by claim count, 2023
- Latanoprost
Latanoprost
112 claims
- Lumigan
Lumigan
53 claims
- Prednisolone Acetate
Prednisolone Acetate
50 claims
- Timolol Maleate
Timolol Maleate
48 claims
- Neomycin-Polymyxin…
Neomycin-Polymyxin-Dexameth
47 claims
- Restasis 37
Restasis
37 claims
- Dorzolamide-Timolol 33
Dorzolamide-Timolol
33 claims
- Travoprost 33
Travoprost
33 claims
| Drug | Claims |
|---|---|
| Latanoprost | 112 |
| Lumigan Bimatoprost | 53 |
| Prednisolone Acetate | 50 |
| Timolol Maleate | 48 |
| Neomycin-Polymyxin-Dexameth Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Dexametha | 47 |
| Restasis Cyclosporine | 37 |
| Dorzolamide-Timolol Dorzolamide Hcl/Timolol Maleat | 33 |
| Travoprost | 33 |
| Doxycycline Hyclate | 26 |
* Counts below 11 are suppressed by CMS for patient privacy. Generic names shown where available from CMS Part D data.
Optometrist Overview
How Brian Baxter, O.D. fits within the Optometrist landscape nationally.
60,463
Optometrist Providers in US
56
States with Optometrist
257
Avg Claims per Provider
Brian Baxter, O.D.'s 608 claims are above the specialty average of 257.
Nearby Optometrist Providers in Colorado
Other clinicians with the same primary specialty enrolled in Colorado, drawn from the same CMS NPPES roster as Baxter.
Dr. Kaleb Abbott
OD
Aurora, CO
Dr. Amy Abel
O.D.
Fort Collins, CO
Dr. Gregory Abel
O.D.
Ft Collins, CO
Dr. Brian Abert
O.D.
Arvada, CO
Dr. Ritu Abraham
OD
Aurora, CO
Compare Optometrist nationally: see state-by-state distribution →
Before you book an appointment
Use this federal record as your verification checklist, not as a recommendation.
- Confirm the NPI record is current in the official CMS registry, providers update their own NPPES details, and moves can lag. Verify this NPI
- Check the active license and any disciplinary history with the Colorado medical board, federal registration is not a license check. Credential verification guide
- Weigh a second option: compare this provider with a nearby Optometrist peer on Medicare volume and prescribing patterns. Compare providers
Medicare Part D and MIPS figures describe practice patterns in federal programs only, they are not quality ratings, and PlainDoctor does not rate, rank, or recommend providers.
Healthcare Guides
Learn more about finding, verifying, and understanding healthcare providers.
How to Find a Doctor
Step-by-step guide to choosing a provider
Verify Credentials
Check NPI, board certification & license status
Medical Specialties Explained
Who treats what and how specialties differ
Understanding Medicare Claims Data
What prescribing data reveals about a provider
In-Network vs Out-of-Network
How insurance networks affect your costs
Telehealth Guide
Virtual care options and coverage in 2026
Explore Colorado
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Brian Baxter, O.D.'s specialty? ▼
Brian Baxter, O.D. specializes in Optometrist and practices in Durango, Colorado. Credentials: O.D..
How much does Brian Baxter, O.D. prescribe under Medicare Part D? ▼
In 2023, Brian Baxter, O.D. wrote 608 Medicare Part D claims totaling $131K in drug costs for 208 beneficiaries.
What is Brian Baxter, O.D.'s Medicare quality score? ▼
Brian Baxter, O.D. has a CMS MIPS Final Score of 100/100 (Quality: 100). The national average MIPS Final Score is 83.1. Source: CMS Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) 2023.
Where is Brian Baxter, O.D. located? ▼
Brian Baxter, O.D. is located at 1266 ESCALANTE DR STE 301, Durango, CO, 81303. Phone: (970) 828-2200.
What is Brian Baxter, O.D.'s NPI number? ▼
Brian Baxter, O.D.'s National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1831126697, issued on 06/27/2006.
Does Brian Baxter, O.D. prescribe more brand-name or generic drugs? ▼
Brian Baxter, O.D.'s prescribing is 51% brand-name and 49% generic drugs by claim count, with $111K in brand drug costs.
How many Optometrist providers are there in the US? ▼
There are 60,463 Optometrist providers across 56 states in the US. The average Optometrist provider writes 257 Medicare Part D claims per year.
What drugs does Brian Baxter, O.D. prescribe most often? ▼
Based on 2023 Medicare Part D data, Brian Baxter, O.D.'s most frequently prescribed drugs include Latanoprost, Lumigan, Prednisolone Acetate. This reflects Medicare Part D prescriptions only and does not include commercial insurance or other payer types.
Does Brian Baxter, O.D. accept Medicare? ▼
Brian Baxter, O.D. appears in CMS Medicare data with 608 Part D claims and 208 Medicare beneficiaries in 2023. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm current Medicare enrollment and accepted plans.
How can I verify Brian Baxter, O.D.'s credentials? ▼
Brian Baxter, O.D.'s NPI is 1831126697 with credentials O.D.. You can verify this through the NPPES NPI Registry, check state medical board records, and confirm board certification through the ABMS or AOA.
Data Sources
View source datasets and methodology notes
- Provider Directory
- CMS National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES), download.cms.gov/nppes, updated monthly. Contains NPI, specialty, credentials, and practice location.
- Specialty Classification
- NUCC Health Care Provider Taxonomy (nucc.org), the industry standard for classifying provider specialties in Medicare and Medicaid billing.
- Prescribing Data
- CMS Medicare Part D Prescriber Public Use File (2023). Includes claims, drug costs, beneficiaries, and opioid prescribing rates.
- Quality Performance
- CMS Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) - 2023 performance year.
- Limitations
- Provider data is self-reported to CMS. Prescribing data reflects Medicare Part D only and does not include commercial insurance, Medicaid, or cash prescriptions. Claims below 11 beneficiaries are suppressed by CMS for privacy.
See our complete data methodology for details on how we collect and process government data.
Data as of April 2026 (NPPES) / 2023 (Medicare Part D). Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Disclaimer: Data from CMS NPPES and Medicare Part D. PlainDoctor does not rate or rank providers. Provider information is self-reported and may not be current. Always verify information directly with the provider. About · Methodology
Compiled from official public sources by the PlainDoctor editorial team.