Steve Richard Lai, MD
Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Steve Richard Lai is a Hospice and Palliative Medicine specialist based in Palo Alto, CA with over 27 years of clinical experience. Medicare-enrolled per CMS records and offers virtual telehealth visits.
Also practices: GERIATRIC MEDICINE
With over 27 years in internal medicine, Steve Richard Lai, MD is a long-established hospice and palliative medicine specialist in Palo Alto. He graduated from University of Missouri, Kansas City, School of Medicine in 1999 and has 27+ years of clinical experience. He regularly sees Medicare patients with hypertension, high cholesterol, and mood disorders (per CMS claims data).
Older · 2187dNPPES updated 2020-05-28 · verify NPI on CMS · Verify license at Medical Board of California
How Does This Doctor Compare?
Opioid Rx
↓ Lower = better24.15%
California avg: 5.2 · US avg: 5.1
⚠ Lower than most doctors nationally(+19 pts)
24.15% of this doctor's prescriptions are opioid pain medications. Lower means more cautious prescribing.
Medicare Patients
115
Unique beneficiaries
Standard volumePrescription Recipients
59
Patients prescribed
Prescriptions Written
294
Total claims
Total Medicare drug cost: $14k
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 Mood Disorders.
High blood pressure — a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke
US avg: 70.2%↑ More patients than average (+3%) — a focus area for this doctor
Elevated cholesterol or triglycerides that increase heart disease risk
US avg: 70.4%↓ Fewer patients than average (-4%) — less common here
Conditions affecting emotional state, including depression and bipolar disorder
Joint inflammation causing pain, swelling, and stiffness
US avg: 49.3%↓ Fewer patients than average (-5%) — less common here
A mood disorder causing persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities
US avg: 31.8%↑ More patients than average (+10%) — a focus area for this doctor
Progressive brain disorders causing memory loss and cognitive decline
Gradual loss of kidney function over time, often linked to diabetes or hypertension
US avg: 29.6%↑ More patients than average (+7%) — a focus area for this doctor
An irregular, often rapid heartbeat that increases the risk of stroke
US avg: 22%↑ More patients than average (+15%) — a focus area for this doctor
Percentage of this provider's Medicare patients diagnosed with each condition. Source: CMS Utilization Data.
$21 received from industry
1 transaction 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 Steve Richard Lai's NPI.
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Background & Specialty
Education, training, and specialty classification from CMS NPPES and Medicare records.
Graduated medical school · 1999
University of Missouri, Kansas City, School of Medicine
Board certified · May 27, 2020
Self-reported via NPPES
27 years in practice
Experienced
An internal medicine physician with special knowledge and skills to prevent and relieve the suffering experienced by patients with life-limiting illnesses. This specialist works with an interdisciplinary hospice or palliative care team to maximize quality of life while addressing physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of both patient and family throughout the course of the disease, through the dying process, and beyond for the family. This specialist has expertise in the assessment of patients with advanced disease; the relief of distressing symptoms; the coordination of interdisciplinary patient and family-centered care in diverse venues; the use of specialized care systems including hospice; the management of the imminently dying patient; and legal and ethical decision making in end-of-life care.
Taxonomy: 207RH0002X
Education & Training
University of Missouri, Kansas City, School of Medicine (Class of 1999)
Mailing address
325 Distel Cir, Los Altos, CA 94022-1408
Differs from practice location
Virtual Hospice and Palliative Medicine Care With Steve Richard Lai
NPPES records indicate this provider offers telehealth services. Contact the office to confirm availability and scheduling.
Schedule a virtual visit with Steve Richard Lai for blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol management, mood disorder follow-ups — 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 Steve Richard Lai
NPI records show Dr. Lai as active with telehealth listed in Palo Alto, CA. NPI status alone doesn't confirm open availability — call the office to confirm. Phone: (650) 321-4121.
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 Steve Richard Lai
Practice Location
795 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94301-2302
Mailing Address
325 Distel Cir, Los Altos, CA 94022-1408
This is a provider directory. Contact the office directly to schedule appointments.
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