Leah Monique Backhus, M.D.
Thoracic Surgery (Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery)
Also practices: GENERAL SURGERY
Patients across CA can see Leah Monique Backhus, M.D. in person in Palo Alto or via virtual visit — no travel required. Trained at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine (class of 2000), she has been practicing for over 26 years. Among her Medicare patients, common conditions include hypertension, high cholesterol, and cancer (per CMS data). CMS MIPS quality score: 76.5/100 (2023).
At a glance
- Federal MIPS score higher than 30% of MIPS-scored doctors in California
- Virtual visits available — no app or travel required
Older · 739dNPPES updated 2024-04-27 · verify on CMS
How Does This Doctor Compare?
MIPS Score
202376.5/100
California avg: 78.6 · US avg: 83.6
⚠ Lower than most doctors nationally(-7.1 pts)
How the government rates this doctor's Medicare care quality. Scores above 75 are considered good.
Medicare Patients
80
Unique beneficiaries
Standard volumePrescriptions Written
13
Total claims
Total Medicare drug cost: $230
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 Cancer.
High blood pressure — a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke
US avg: 70.2%↑ More patients than average (+4%) — a focus area for this doctor
Elevated cholesterol or triglycerides that increase heart disease risk
US avg: 70.4%↑ More patients than average (+4%) — a focus area for this doctor
Diseases involving abnormal cell growth with potential to spread to other body parts
US avg: 20.8%↑ More patients than average (+37%) — a focus area for this doctor
Joint inflammation causing pain, swelling, and stiffness
US avg: 49.3%↑ More patients than average (+4%) — a focus area for this doctor
Excessive worry or fear that interferes with daily life
US avg: 34.1%↑ More patients than average (+7%) — a focus area for this doctor
Conditions affecting emotional state, including depression and bipolar disorder
Reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, commonly known as coronary artery disease
US avg: 31.7%↑ More patients than average (+3%) — a focus area for this doctor
An irregular, often rapid heartbeat that increases the risk of stroke
US avg: 22%↑ More patients than average (+12%) — a focus area for this doctor
Percentage of this provider's Medicare patients diagnosed with each condition. Source: CMS Utilization Data.
$18.3k received from industry
23 transactions reported in 2024 ·High 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 Leah Monique Backhus's NPI.
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Background & Specialty
Education, training, and specialty classification from CMS NPPES and Medicare records.
Graduated medical school · 2000
Keck School of Medicine of Usc
Board certified · Apr 26, 2024
CMS-verified certification date
26 years in practice
Experienced
A thoracic surgeon provides the operative, perioperative and critical care of patients with pathologic conditions within the chest. Included is the surgical care of coronary artery disease, cancers of the lung, esophagus and chest wall, abnormalities of the trachea, abnormalities of the great vessels and heart valves, congenital anomalies, tumors of the mediastinum and diseases of the diaphragm. The management of the airway and injuries of the chest is within the scope of the specialty.
Taxonomy: 208G00000X
Education & Training
University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine (Class of 2000)
Primary hospital affiliation: Acute Care Hospitals
CMS Certification Number: 200034
View hospital on Medicare Care CompareVirtual Thoracic Surgery (Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery) Care With Leah Monique Backhus
NPPES records indicate this provider offers telehealth services. Contact the office to confirm availability and scheduling.
Schedule a virtual visit with Leah Monique Backhus for blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol management, follow-up consultations — no travel to Palo Alto 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 Leah Monique Backhus
Dr. Backhus is listed as active in the NPI registry with telehealth listed in Palo Alto, CA. NPI status alone doesn't confirm open availability — call the office to confirm. Phone: (650) 723-4000.
Sourced from CMS NPPES · OIG LEIE · CMS QPP 2023 · CMS Medicare Part D · CMS Open Payments 2024 · CMS Physician Comparator. See Data Methodology.
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Contact Leah Monique Backhus
Practice Location
300 Pasteur Dr, Palo Alto, CA 94304-2203
Mailing Address
300 Pasteur Dr, Palo Alto, CA 94304-2203
This is a provider directory. Contact the office directly to schedule appointments.
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