Cathy A Straits, MD
Cathy A Straits is an Internal Medicine specialist based in Santa Barbara, CA with over 37 years of clinical experience. Medicare-enrolled per CMS records and offers virtual telehealth visits.
Cathy a Straits, MD has been part of the Santa Barbara medical community since 2006 in group practice. Trained at Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University (class of 1989), she has been practicing for over 37 years. Among her Medicare patients, common conditions include high cholesterol, hypertension, and arthritis (per CMS data).
At a glance
- Prescribes opioids less than 41% of reporting doctors in California
- Uses generic medications more than 78% of reporting doctors in California
- Virtual visits available — no app or travel required
Older · 2202dNPPES updated 2020-05-12 · verify NPI on CMS · Verify license at Medical Board of California
How Does This Doctor Compare?
Based on Medicare data, this doctor prescribes opioid pain medications conservatively, favors affordable generic drugs over brand-name ones.
Opioid Rx
↓ Lower = better1.75%
California avg: 5.2 · US avg: 5.1
✓ Higher than most doctors nationally(-3.3 pts)
Typical range among reporting doctors in California1.75% of this doctor's prescriptions are opioid pain medications. Lower means more cautious prescribing.
Generic Rx
↑ Higher = better92%
California avg: 83.3 · US avg: 82.8
✓ Higher than most doctors nationally(+9.2 pts)
Better than 78% of reporting doctors in CaliforniaHow often this doctor prescribes affordable generic drugs instead of expensive brand-name ones.
Medicare Patients
264
Unique beneficiaries
Standard volumePrescription Recipients
407
Patients prescribed
Prescriptions Written
4,405
Total claims
Total Medicare drug cost: $336k
Percentile rankings compared against 9,360 reporting peers in California.
Data Note: Sourced from CMS Medicare Provider Utilization & Payment Data. Percentile rankings compare this provider against all peers with reported data in the same state. Updated annually to reflect the latest federal reporting cycle.
What This Doctor Treats Most
Based on Medicare claims data — here's what patients commonly see this doctor for
Based on Medicare data, this doctor primarily manages High Cholesterol, Hypertension, and Arthritis.
Elevated cholesterol or triglycerides that increase heart disease risk
US avg: 70.4%↑ More patients than average (+5%) — a focus area for this doctor
High blood pressure — a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke
US avg: 70.2%Joint inflammation causing pain, swelling, and stiffness
US avg: 49.3%↓ Fewer patients than average (-4%) — less common here
A mood disorder causing persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities
US avg: 31.8%↓ Fewer patients than average (-7%) — less common here
Conditions affecting emotional state, including depression and bipolar disorder
A condition where the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels
US avg: 34.5%↓ Fewer patients than average (-11%) — less common here
Gradual loss of kidney function over time, often linked to diabetes or hypertension
US avg: 29.6%↓ Fewer patients than average (-9%) — less common here
Percentage of this provider's Medicare patients diagnosed with each condition. Source: CMS Utilization Data.
$60 received from industry
3 transactions reported in 2024 ·Low tier
Payments include consulting fees, speaking honoraria, food & beverage, travel, research support, and ownership interests from drug and medical device manufacturers. Disclosure is required by the federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act. These payments do not necessarily indicate conflicts of interest. National median: $338 across 136 000 tracked providers.
Tiers — Low: under $500 · Moderate: $500-5 000 · High: $5 000-25 000 · Very High: $25 000+. Source: CMS Open Payments 2024, attributed to Cathy a Straits's NPI.
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Background & Specialty
Education, training, and specialty classification from CMS NPPES and Medicare records.
Graduated medical school · 1989
Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
Board certified · May 11, 2020
Self-reported via NPPES
37 years in practice
Senior practitioner
A physician who provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common and complex illness of adolescents, adults and the elderly. Internists are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, infections and diseases affecting the heart, blood, kidneys, joints and digestive, respiratory and vascular systems. They are also trained in the essentials of primary care internal medicine, which incorporates an understanding of disease prevention, wellness, substance abuse, mental health and effective treatment of common problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system and reproductive organs.
Taxonomy: 207R00000X
Education & Training
Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University (Class of 1989)
Mailing address
Po Box 62106, Santa Barbara, CA 93160-2106
Differs from practice location
Primary hospital affiliation: Acute Care Hospitals
CMS Certification Number: 190151
View hospital on Medicare Care CompareVirtual Internal Medicine Care With Cathy a Straits
NPPES records indicate this provider offers telehealth services. Contact the office to confirm availability and scheduling.
Schedule a virtual visit with Cathy a Straits for cholesterol management, blood pressure monitoring, arthritis follow-ups — no travel to Santa Barbara required. The office sends a secure video link before your appointment. Most visits take 15–30 minutes. Medicare enrolled per CMS records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cathy a Straits
NPI records show Dr. Straits as active with telehealth listed in Santa Barbara, CA. NPI status alone doesn't confirm open availability — call the office to confirm. Phone: (805) 681-1777.
Sourced from CMS NPPES · OIG LEIE · CMS Medicare Part D · CMS Open Payments 2024 · CMS Physician Comparator. See Data Methodology.
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Contact Cathy a Straits
Practice Location
122 S Patterson Ave, Santa Barbara, CA 93111-2055
Mailing Address
Po Box 62106, Santa Barbara, CA 93160-2106
This is a provider directory. Contact the office directly to schedule appointments.
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