Skip to main content
UniHealth

Doctor search

Vijay Pottathil, MD

Internal Medicine · Belmont

NPI 1053546945

Medicare standing
Clear
Enrolled, allowed to bill and order, not excluded
Plans that list them
Not verified
Not the same as out of network.
Offices
3

Offices

3 locations · Dignity Health Medical Foundation · County of San Mateo

Looking this up.

Hospitals listed: San Mateo Medical Center · Sequoia Hospital. That is not proof they admit you there this week.

Plan participation

Not verified

We could not verify current plan participation for this doctor. This does not mean they are out of network. Call Dr. Pottathil’s office at (650) 596-7000 to ask if they take your plan before you enroll.

California Medical Board record

Licence A147576 · Current

Licensed to practise in California · since 2017 · expires 2027-01-31 · University of Michigan Medical School.

No disciplinary actions, convictions, malpractice judgments or citations in this record.

Checkups this office reported

Medicare did not publish checkup rates for this clinician.

Medicare’s overall office score
96.5 / 100
Scores the office’s reporting and systems. It is not a grade for how the doctor treats you.

Hospitals they work in

2 hospitals

These rate the hospital, not this clinician. Most measures at most hospitals are no different from the national rate.

  • San Mateo Medical CenterSan Mateo, CAAcute Care Hospital · Government - Local · Has an emergency departmentPart of San Mateo County HealthPatients rate it 3 of 5 · 68% would definitely recommend it
    No overall ratingNo measure marked better or worse than the national rate
  • Sequoia HospitalRedwood City, CAAcute Care Hospital · Voluntary non-profit - Private · Has an emergency department · Birthing-friendlyPart of CommonSpirit Health, which runs 145 hospitals in 19 statesPatients rate it 4 of 5 · 81% would definitely recommend it
    Overall rating: 5 of 5 starsBetter than the national rate — Death rate among surgical inpatients with serious treatable complications: 104.12 (51.8 to 156.44) · 56 cases, Jul 2022 – Jun 2024Better than the national rate — Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff): 0, Oct 2024 – Sep 2025
See every measure and the patient survey for San Mateo Medical Center

Behind the star rating — Deaths: 0 better, 2 the same, 0 worse of 2 measures. Safety: 0 better, 2 the same, 0 worse of 2 measures. Readmissions: 0 better, 3 the same, 0 worse of 3 measures. The star rating is worked out from an earlier period than the measures below, so the two can disagree.

Every scored measure at San Mateo Medical Center
Abdominopelvic accidental puncture or laceration rateComplications and deaths1.34 (0.25 to 2.43) · 45 casesNo differentJul 2022 – Jun 2024
CMS Medicare PSI 90: Patient safety and adverse events compositeComplications and deaths0.97 (0.48 to 1.47)No differentJul 2022 – Jun 2024
Death rate for pneumonia patientsComplications and deaths13.9 · 25 casesNoneJul 2022 – Jun 2025
Hybrid Hospital-Wide All-Cause Risk Standardized Mortality RateComplications and deaths3.6 · 258 casesNoneJul 2024 – Jun 2025
Iatrogenic pneumothorax rateComplications and deaths0.21 (0 to 0.44) · 379 casesNo differentJul 2022 – Jun 2024
In-hospital fall-associated fracture rateComplications and deaths0.26 (0.05 to 0.48) · 381 casesNo differentJul 2022 – Jun 2024
Perioperative pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis rateComplications and deaths3.44 (0.82 to 6.05) · 57 casesNo differentJul 2022 – Jun 2024
Postoperative hemorrhage or hematoma rateComplications and deaths2.64 (0.92 to 4.37) · 57 casesNo differentJul 2022 – Jun 2024
Pressure ulcer rateComplications and deaths0.53 (0 to 1.76) · 296 casesNo differentJul 2022 – Jun 2024
Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff)Infections0.661No differentOct 2024 – Sep 2025
Heart failure (HF) 30-Day Readmission RateUnplanned return visits21.8 · 47 casesNoneJul 2023 – Jun 2025
Hospital return days for pneumonia patientsUnplanned return visits-2.3 · 25 casesNoneJul 2022 – Jun 2025
Pneumonia (PN) 30-Day Readmission RateUnplanned return visits16.6 · 76 casesNoneJul 2023 – Jun 2025
Rate of unplanned hospital visits after colonoscopy (per 1,000 colonoscopies)Unplanned return visits14 (10.4 to 18.9) · 167 casesNo differentJan 2022 – Dec 2024

What patients said (208 patients answered, 15% of those asked)

Patient survey stars by topic at San Mateo Medical Center
Cleanliness4
Nurse communication3
Doctor communication3
Communication about medicines3
Discharge information4
Overall hospital rating3
Quietness2
Recommend hospital3
Share of patients giving the best answer at San Mateo Medical Center
Room was "always" clean78%
Nurses "always" communicated well76%
Doctors "always" communicated well79%
Staff "always" explained62%
Yes, staff "did" give patients this information87%
Yes, staff "did" give patients information about help after discharge88%
Doctors "always" explained things so they could understand74%
Doctors "always" listened carefully77%
Doctors "always" treated them with courtesy and respect84%
Patients who gave a rating of "9" or "10" (high)70%
Staff "always" explained new medications72%
Nurses "always" explained things so they could understand72%
Nurses "always" listened carefully73%
Nurses "always" treated them with courtesy and respect82%
"Always" quiet at night47%
"YES", patients would definitely recommend the hospital68%
Staff "always" explained possible side effects51%
Yes, staff "did" give patients information about possible symptoms86%
See every measure and the patient survey for Sequoia Hospital

Behind the star rating — Deaths: 2 better, 6 the same, 0 worse of 8 measures. Safety: 1 better, 4 the same, 0 worse of 5 measures. Readmissions: 3 better, 6 the same, 0 worse of 9 measures. The star rating is worked out from an earlier period than the measures below, so the two can disagree.

Every scored measure at Sequoia Hospital
Death rate among surgical inpatients with serious treatable complicationsComplications and deaths104.12 (51.8 to 156.44) · 56 casesBetterJul 2022 – Jun 2024
Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff)Infections0BetterOct 2024 – Sep 2025
Abdominopelvic accidental puncture or laceration rateComplications and deaths0.95 (0 to 1.98) · 472 casesNo differentJul 2022 – Jun 2024
CMS Medicare PSI 90: Patient safety and adverse events compositeComplications and deaths0.91 (0.58 to 1.24)No differentJul 2022 – Jun 2024
Death rate for CABG surgery patientsComplications and deaths1.8 · 68 casesNoneJul 2022 – Jun 2025
Death rate for heart attack patientsComplications and deaths12.5 · 72 casesNoneJul 2022 – Jun 2025
Death rate for heart failure patientsComplications and deaths9.1 · 258 casesNoneJul 2022 – Jun 2025
Death rate for pneumonia patientsComplications and deaths15.5 · 171 casesNoneJul 2022 – Jun 2025
Death rate for stroke patientsComplications and deaths9.3 · 81 casesNoneJul 2023 – Jun 2025
Hybrid Hospital-Wide All-Cause Risk Standardized Mortality RateComplications and deaths3.2 · 1,231 casesNoneJul 2024 – Jun 2025
Iatrogenic pneumothorax rateComplications and deaths0.23 (0.01 to 0.44) · 3,018 casesNo differentJul 2022 – Jun 2024
In-hospital fall-associated fracture rateComplications and deaths0.23 (0.03 to 0.44) · 3,164 casesNo differentJul 2022 – Jun 2024
Perioperative pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis rateComplications and deaths2.59 (0.47 to 4.71) · 1,402 casesNo differentJul 2022 – Jun 2024
Postoperative acute kidney injury requiring dialysis rateComplications and deaths1.47 (0.04 to 2.9) · 926 casesNo differentJul 2022 – Jun 2024
Postoperative hemorrhage or hematoma rateComplications and deaths1.68 (0.21 to 3.16) · 1,310 casesNo differentJul 2022 – Jun 2024
Postoperative respiratory failure rateComplications and deaths9.54 (4.42 to 14.67) · 978 casesNo differentJul 2022 – Jun 2024
Postoperative sepsis rateComplications and deaths4.98 (1.61 to 8.36) · 924 casesNo differentJul 2022 – Jun 2024
Postoperative wound dehiscence rateComplications and deaths1.69 (0.19 to 3.19) · 192 casesNo differentJul 2022 – Jun 2024
Pressure ulcer rateComplications and deaths0.57 (0 to 1.43) · 2,501 casesNo differentJul 2022 – Jun 2024
Rate of complications for hip/knee replacement patientsComplications and deaths3.5 · 332 casesNoneApr 2023 – Mar 2025
Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (ICU + select Wards)Infections0.702No differentOct 2024 – Sep 2025
SSI - Colon SurgeryInfections0.853No differentOct 2024 – Sep 2025
Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) 30-Day Readmission RateUnplanned return visits14.2 · 67 casesNoneJul 2023 – Jun 2025
Heart failure (HF) 30-Day Readmission RateUnplanned return visits22.3 · 295 casesNoneJul 2023 – Jun 2025
Hospital return days for heart attack patientsUnplanned return visits-27.1 · 76 casesNoneJul 2022 – Jun 2025
Hospital return days for heart failure patientsUnplanned return visits-22.3 · 304 casesNoneJul 2022 – Jun 2025
Hospital return days for pneumonia patientsUnplanned return visits-4.6 · 178 casesNoneJul 2022 – Jun 2025
Pneumonia (PN) 30-Day Readmission RateUnplanned return visits17.3 · 180 casesNoneJul 2023 – Jun 2025
Rate of readmission after hip/knee replacementUnplanned return visits5.1 · 305 casesNoneJul 2023 – Jun 2025
Rate of readmission for CABGUnplanned return visits10.9 · 41 casesNoneJul 2023 – Jun 2025
Rate of readmission for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patientsUnplanned return visits19.7 · 29 casesNoneJul 2023 – Jun 2025
Rate of unplanned hospital visits after colonoscopy (per 1,000 colonoscopies)Unplanned return visits13.1 (9.7 to 17.7) · 129 casesNo differentJan 2022 – Dec 2024
Ratio of unplanned hospital visits after hospital outpatient surgeryUnplanned return visits0.9 (0.7 to 1.2) · 713 casesNo differentJan 2024 – Dec 2024

What patients said (631 patients answered, 27% of those asked)

Patient survey stars by topic at Sequoia Hospital
Cleanliness4
Nurse communication4
Doctor communication4
Communication about medicines3
Discharge information4
Overall hospital rating4
Quietness3
Recommend hospital5
Share of patients giving the best answer at Sequoia Hospital
Room was "always" clean78%
Nurses "always" communicated well80%
Doctors "always" communicated well82%
Staff "always" explained60%
Yes, staff "did" give patients this information88%
Yes, staff "did" give patients information about help after discharge86%
Doctors "always" explained things so they could understand76%
Doctors "always" listened carefully81%
Doctors "always" treated them with courtesy and respect89%
Patients who gave a rating of "9" or "10" (high)77%
Staff "always" explained new medications76%
Nurses "always" explained things so they could understand77%
Nurses "always" listened carefully77%
Nurses "always" treated them with courtesy and respect88%
"Always" quiet at night55%
"YES", patients would definitely recommend the hospital81%
Staff "always" explained possible side effects44%
Yes, staff "did" give patients information about possible symptoms91%

Original Medicare doctor bills

$16,888

Medicare paid this office $16,888 for 103 people.

This is what Medicare paid the clinician — not Medicare Advantage, and not the pharmacy.

Largest Original Medicare bills
Removal of polyps or growths of large bowel using an endoscope with mechanical snare20$4,548$227
Diagnostic exam of esophagus, stomach, and/or upper small bowel using a flexible endoscope31$3,061$96
Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual not meeting criteria for high risk13$2,549$196
Diagnostic exam of large bowel using a flexible endoscope12$1,533$128

Procedures Medicare counted

Procedure volume Medicare published
Colonoscopy68More than 70% of doctors who do this
Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy for acid reflux38More than 59% of doctors who do this

Who their Medicare patients are

103 Original Medicare patients in 2024. Average age 71 · Women 42% · Also on Medicaid 78% · Health risk score 1.35. At or below the middle of the specialty; the typical internal medicine clinician is at 1.76.

Conditions among them: High blood pressure 75% · Diabetes 30% · Chronic kidney disease 26% · Coronary heart disease 19% · Heart failure 19% · Cancer 17% · Depression 17% · Dementia 14% · COPD 13% · Atrial fibrillation 13%.

The office billed $80,662, Medicare allowed $21,096 and paid $16,888; for 124 services of 19 kinds.

Original Medicare patients only. A risk score of 1.0 is the average Medicare patient; higher means sicker. Any count under 11 is hidden.

Year by year

Original Medicare by year
2024103124711.35$80,662$16,888
2023100121711.20$92,878$16,405
2022119142701.08$109,131$19,918
202184106691.32$75,067$14,327
20207398671.79$63,012$11,483
2019291602711.87$433,825$52,017
2018273564701.84$413,427$52,669
2017264529701.29$303,254$47,575
2016292516731.36$272,951$48,136
20153668742.22$13,347$4,204
20144878761.86$15,799$4,568
201385157762.14$27,666$9,076

Original Medicare only. A service billed for fewer than 11 people in a year is hidden, so the lines can add up to less than the year's total.

See the services billed each year

2023: 4 services

Original Medicare services billed in 2023
Removal of polyps or growths of large bowel using an endoscope with mechanical snare31$6,704$216
Diagnostic exam of esophagus, stomach, and/or upper small bowel using a flexible endoscope25$2,340$94
Diagnostic exam of large bowel using a flexible endoscope20$2,329$116
Biopsy of esophagus, stomach, and/or upper small bowel using a flexible endoscope11$752$68

2022: 4 services

Original Medicare services billed in 2022
Removal of polyps or growths of large bowel using an endoscope with mechanical snare53$10,413$196
Diagnostic exam of large bowel using a flexible endoscope31$3,896$126
Diagnostic exam of esophagus, stomach, and/or upper small bowel using a flexible endoscope19$1,533$81
Biopsy of esophagus, stomach, and/or upper small bowel using a flexible endoscope15$1,350$90

2021: 3 services

Original Medicare services billed in 2021
Removal of polyps or growths of large bowel using an endoscope with mechanical snare28$5,823$208
Diagnostic exam of large bowel using a flexible endoscope22$2,791$127
Biopsy of esophagus, stomach, and/or upper small bowel using a flexible endoscope11$896$81

2020: 3 services

Original Medicare services billed in 2020
Removal of polyps or growths of large bowel using an endoscope with mechanical snare12$2,854$238
Biopsy of esophagus, stomach, and/or upper small bowel using a flexible endoscope15$1,628$109
Return visit (30+ min)12$499$42

2019: 15 services

Original Medicare services billed in 2019
Removal of polyps or growths of large bowel using an endoscope with mechanical snare42$9,286$221
New patient visit (60+ min)34$4,894$144
Return visit (30+ min)57$4,338$67
Long return visit (40+ min)40$3,938$98
Subsequent hospital care with moderate levelof medical decision making at least 35 minutes43$3,773$65
Biopsy of esophagus, stomach, and/or upper small bowel using a flexible endoscope36$3,544$96
New patient visit (45+ min)29$2,540$88
Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual not meeting criteria for high risk11$1,991$181
Diagnostic exam of esophagus, stomach, and/or upper small bowel using a flexible endoscope15$1,530$96
Short return visit (20+ min)22$1,041$43
Subsequent hospital care with straightforward or low level of medical decision making, per day at least 25 minutes21$910$35
New patient visit (30+ min)14$797$57
Moderate sedation services provided by the same physician or other qualified health care professional performing a gastrointestinal endoscopic service that sedation supports, requiring the presence of an independent trained observer to assist in the monito74$338$4
Short return visit11$248$21
Moderate sedation services provided by the same physician or other qualified health care professional performing a gastrointestinal endoscopic service that sedation supports, requiring the presence of an independent trained observer to assist in the monito13$62$5

2018: 18 services

Original Medicare services billed in 2018
New patient visit (45+ min)53$5,318$100
Removal of polyps or growths of large bowel using an endoscope with mechanical snare17$3,774$222
Initial hospital care with moderate level of medical decision making at least 75 minutes17$3,093$182
New patient visit (45+ min)26$2,682$103
Long return visit (40+ min)30$2,565$86
Biopsy of esophagus, stomach, and/or upper small bowel using a flexible endoscope23$2,067$90
Diagnostic exam of esophagus, stomach, and/or upper small bowel using a flexible endoscope19$1,939$102
Diagnostic exam of large bowel using a flexible endoscope12$1,787$149
Initial hospital care with straightforward or low-level medical decision making at least 55 minutes13$1,589$122
Long return visit (40+ min)14$1,382$99
Return visit (30+ min)15$1,201$71
Biopsy of esophagus, stomach, and/or upper small bowel using a flexible endoscope12$1,170$98
Subsequent hospital care with moderate levelof medical decision making at least 35 minutes11$1,111$65
Initial hospital care with straightforward or low level of medical decision making, per day at least 40 minutes12$1,078$90
Return visit (30+ min)13$865$67
Short return visit (20+ min)11$502$46
Moderate sedation services provided by the same physician or other qualified health care professional performing a gastrointestinal endoscopic service that sedation supports, requiring the presence of an independent trained observer to assist in the monito55$248$5
Moderate sedation services provided by the same physician or other qualified health care professional performing a gastrointestinal endoscopic service that sedation supports, requiring the presence of an independent trained observer to assist in the monito30$139$4

2017: 15 services

Original Medicare services billed in 2017
Removal of polyps or growths of large bowel using an endoscope with mechanical snare36$6,118$170
Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual at high risk21$3,700$168
Biopsy of esophagus, stomach, and/or upper small bowel using a flexible endoscope43$3,611$82
Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual not meeting criteria for high risk19$3,249$171
New patient visit (45+ min)30$3,128$104
Diagnostic exam of esophagus, stomach, and/or upper small bowel using a flexible endoscope26$2,502$86
Initial hospital care with straightforward or low-level medical decision making at least 55 minutes23$2,383$104
Return visit (30+ min)27$2,017$67
New patient visit (45+ min)20$1,999$100
Long return visit (40+ min)20$1,993$100
Diagnostic exam of large bowel using a flexible endoscope16$1,965$123
Initial hospital care with moderate level of medical decision making at least 75 minutes11$1,965$179
Biopsy of large bowel using a flexible endoscope13$1,918$148
Short return visit (20+ min)12$554$43
Moderate sedation services provided by the same physician or other qualified health care professional performing a gastrointestinal endoscopic service that sedation supports, requiring the presence of an independent trained observer to assist in the monito108$445$4

2016: 15 services

Original Medicare services billed in 2016
Removal of polyps or growths of large bowel using an endoscope with mechanical snare56$10,796$189
Diagnostic exam of large bowel using a flexible endoscope34$4,448$131
Initial hospital care with straightforward or low-level medical decision making at least 55 minutes32$3,177$99
Biopsy of esophagus, stomach, and/or upper small bowel using a flexible endoscope39$2,956$76
Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual not meeting criteria for high risk16$2,837$177
Subsequent hospital care with moderate levelof medical decision making at least 35 minutes31$2,546$52
New patient visit (45+ min)22$2,496$113
Short return visit (20+ min)34$2,212$50
Diagnostic exam of esophagus, stomach, and/or upper small bowel using a flexible endoscope20$1,621$81
Return visit (30+ min)16$1,397$78
Initial hospital observation care per day, typically 50 minutes13$1,273$98
Initial hospital observation care per day, typically 30 minutes15$1,074$72
Hospital discharge day management, 30 minutes or less19$988$52
Subsequent hospital care with straightforward or low level of medical decision making, per day at least 25 minutes16$820$28
Hospital observation care on day of discharge14$730$52

2015: 1 service

Original Medicare services billed in 2015
Subsequent hospital care with moderate levelof medical decision making at least 35 minutes14$1,146$55

2014: 1 service

Original Medicare services billed in 2014
Subsequent hospital care with moderate levelof medical decision making at least 35 minutes21$1,670$54

2013: 4 services

Original Medicare services billed in 2013
Initial hospital care with straightforward or low-level medical decision making at least 55 minutes28$2,856$98
Subsequent hospital care with moderate levelof medical decision making at least 35 minutes34$2,786$53
Subsequent hospital care with straightforward or low level of medical decision making, per day at least 25 minutes23$997$28
Hospital discharge day management, 30 minutes or less12$632$53

Medicaid work

$278,111 in 2024

Medicaid paid $278,111 for 771 billed services this clinician did in 2024, up to 42 people in a month for one service.

Medicaid and CHIP claims where this clinician did the service, fee-for-service and managed care together. Any month with fewer than 11 patients is hidden, so small Medicaid practices undercount.

Largest Medicaid services in 2024
DIAGNOSTIC COLONOSCOPY312$144,986
Diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy232$65,745
COLONOSCOPY W/LESION REMOVAL105$60,316
Short return visit (20+ min)34$2,731
Service18$2,256
Return visit (30+ min)12$1,415
Service18$403
Fentanyl citrate injection20$135
Injection, midazolam hydrochloride, per 1 mg20$123
Medicaid work by year
2024771942$278,111
2023640542$263,947
2022772437$313,486
2021145318$53,623
202093418$28,628
2019112420$5,596
2018217521$11,446
See the largest Medicaid services in earlier years

2023

Largest Medicaid services in 2023
DIAGNOSTIC COLONOSCOPY305$128,210
COLONOSCOPY W/LESION REMOVAL190$99,701
Diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy94$24,722
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy37$10,726
Short return visit (20+ min)14$588

2022

Largest Medicaid services in 2022
COLONOSCOPY W/LESION REMOVAL294$144,786
DIAGNOSTIC COLONOSCOPY314$125,002
Diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy138$35,654
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy26$8,044

2021

Largest Medicaid services in 2021
COLONOSCOPY W/LESION REMOVAL62$26,776
DIAGNOSTIC COLONOSCOPY71$23,317
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy12$3,531

2020

Largest Medicaid services in 2020
DIAGNOSTIC COLONOSCOPY36$14,130
COLONOSCOPY W/LESION REMOVAL26$12,960
Return visit (30+ min)17$830
TISSUE EXAM BY PATHOLOGIST14$709

2019

Largest Medicaid services in 2019
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy12$2,995
Return visit (30+ min)49$1,635
TISSUE EXAM BY PATHOLOGIST35$878
Injection, midazolam hydrochloride, per 1 mg16$88

2018

Largest Medicaid services in 2018
New patient visit (45+ min)63$5,124
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy27$3,622
TISSUE EXAM BY PATHOLOGIST33$1,622
Moderate sedation services provided by the same physician or other qualified health care professional performing the diagnostic or therapeutic service that the sedation supports, requiring the presence of an independent trained observer to assist in the monitoring of the patient's level of consciousness and physiological status; initial 15 minutes of intraservice time, patient age 5 years or older13$643
Injection, midazolam hydrochloride, per 1 mg81$435

Money from drug and device companies

$22 in 2024

A payment is not proof that care is biased.

Payments by company
Merck Sharp & DohmeBridion$22
1 payment
  • Meals for Bridion · 2024-04-02 · $22
See the published payment
Every published payment
Merck Sharp & DohmeMeals · 2024-04-02Bridion$22

Professional record

NPI
1053546945
Licence
CA A147576, IA MD-39493, IA 39494California A147576: Current · expires 2027-01-31
Trained
University of Michigan Medical School, 2009
Group
Dignity Health Medical Foundation · County of San Mateo
Gender
Male
More record details
Sole proprietor
No
Medicaid ID
IA 1053546945
Taxonomy
Federal specialty code 207RG0100X (207RG0100X); Internal medicine (207R00000X); Hospitalist (208M00000X)
Mailing address
300 Pasteur Dr, Stanford, CA, 94305
NPI first listed
2009-05-20
NPI last updated
2022-07-21

This is when the NPI record was last certified, not a medical board exam.