Donald N Forthal, MD
Infectious Disease Internal Medicine
Donald N Forthal is an Infectious Disease Internal Medicine specialist based in Orange, CA with over 47 years of clinical experience. Medicare-enrolled per CMS records and offers virtual telehealth visits.
Donald N Forthal, MD has practiced internal medicine for 47+ years, working in group practice. He has been practicing since 2006 — over 47 years. He regularly sees Medicare patients with hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes (per CMS claims data). CMS MIPS quality score: 100/100 (2023).
At a glance
- Prescribes opioids less than 29% of reporting doctors in California
- Federal MIPS score higher than 93% of MIPS-scored doctors in California
- Virtual visits available — no app or travel required
Older · 6704dNPPES updated 2008-01-15 · verify NPI on CMS · Verify license at Medical Board of California
Contact & Location
Practice Location
Uci Medical Center 101 the City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868
How Does This Doctor Compare?
Based on Medicare data, this doctor scores better than 93% of doctors in California on federal quality measures, prescribes opioid pain medications conservatively.
MIPS Score
2023100/100
California avg: 78.6 · US avg: 83.6
✓ Higher than most doctors nationally(+16.4 pts)
Top 7% of MIPS-scored doctors in CaliforniaHow the government rates this doctor's Medicare care quality. Scores above 75 are considered good.
Opioid Rx
↓ Lower = better3.25%
California avg: 5.2 · US avg: 5.1
✓ Higher than most doctors nationally(-1.8 pts)
3.25% of this doctor's prescriptions are opioid pain medications. Lower means more cautious prescribing.
Generic Rx
↑ Higher = better44.4%
California avg: 83.3 · US avg: 82.8
⚠ Lower than most doctors nationally(-38.4 pts)
How often this doctor prescribes affordable generic drugs instead of expensive brand-name ones.
Medicare Patients
92
Unique beneficiaries
Standard volumePrescription Recipients
45
Patients prescribed
Prescriptions Written
369
Total claims
Total Medicare drug cost: $753k
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 Hypertension, High Cholesterol, and Diabetes.
High blood pressure — a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke
US avg: 70.2%↑ More patients than average (+5%) — a focus area for this doctor
Elevated cholesterol or triglycerides that increase heart disease risk
US avg: 70.4%↓ Fewer patients than average (-3%) — less common here
A condition where the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels
US avg: 34.5%↑ More patients than average (+18%) — a focus area for this doctor
Gradual loss of kidney function over time, often linked to diabetes or hypertension
US avg: 29.6%↑ More patients than average (+22%) — a focus area for this doctor
Joint inflammation causing pain, swelling, and stiffness
US avg: 49.3%↑ More patients than average (+1%) — a focus area for this doctor
Reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, commonly known as coronary artery disease
US avg: 31.7%↑ More patients than average (+10%) — a focus area for this doctor
The heart cannot pump blood efficiently enough to meet the body's needs
US avg: 22.5%↑ More patients than average (+15%) — a focus area for this doctor
Excessive worry or fear that interferes with daily life
US avg: 34.1%↑ More patients than average (+2%) — a focus area for this doctor
Percentage of this provider's Medicare patients diagnosed with each condition. Source: CMS Utilization Data.
$12 received from industry
1 transaction reported in 2018 ·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 2018, attributed to Donald N Forthal's NPI.
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Background & Specialty
Education, training, and specialty classification from CMS NPPES and Medicare records.
47 years in practice
Senior practitioner
Infectious disease specialists diagnose and treat complex infections including HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, tuberculosis, antibiotic-resistant infections (MRSA), post-surgical infections, and travel-related illnesses. They also provide pre-travel vaccination counseling and manage infections in immunocompromised patients.
Taxonomy: 207RI0200X
Mailing address
Uci Department of Medicine Po Box 54509, Los Angeles, CA 90054-4509
Differs from practice location
Primary hospital affiliation: Psychiatric
CMS Certification Number: 194098
View hospital on Medicare Care CompareVirtual Infectious Disease Care With Donald N Forthal
NPPES records indicate this provider offers telehealth services. Contact the office to confirm availability and scheduling.
Schedule a virtual visit with Donald N Forthal for blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol management, diabetes check-ins — no travel to Orange 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 Donald N Forthal
Dr. Forthal is listed as active in the NPI registry with telehealth listed in Orange, CA. NPI status alone doesn't confirm open availability — call the office to confirm. Phone: (714) 456-8978.
Sourced from CMS NPPES · OIG LEIE · CMS QPP 2023 · CMS Medicare Part D · CMS Open Payments 2018 · CMS Physician Comparator. See Data Methodology.
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Contact Donald N Forthal
Practice Location
Uci Medical Center 101 the City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868
Mailing Address
Uci Department of Medicine Po Box 54509, Los Angeles, CA 90054-4509
This is a provider directory. Contact the office directly to schedule appointments.
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