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Dr. Tom Chao, MD

(1 Rating)

Specializes in: Sports Medicine and Orthopedics/Orthopedic Surgery

University of California, San Diego (UCSD), School of Medicine

Professional interests include: arm fracture, leg fracture, injuries, and more.

1111 Columbus Street Suite 1100
Bakersfield, CA 93305

(661) 326-2800

Dr. Tom Chao, MD is a sports medicine doctor in Bakersfield, CA specializing in sports medicine and orthopedics/orthopedic surgery. He graduated from University of California, San Diego (UCSD), School of Medicine. Dr. Tom Chao, MD is affiliated with Providence, Dignity Health, Long Beach Medical Center, MemorialCare and NEWPORT CARE MEDICAL GROUP INC.

Office Locations

Dignity Health

1111 Columbus Street Suite 1100
Bakersfield, CA 93305

(661) 326-2800

(661) 862-7686

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Providence

1386 West 7th Street Building B
San Pedro, CA 90732

(949) 491-9991

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Dignity Health

1700 Mt Vernon Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93306

(661) 326-2000

(661) 326-2758

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3851 Katella Avenue Suite 150
Los Alamitos, CA 90720

(562) 314-1400

(562) 431-0564

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MemorialCare

8700 Warner Avenue Suite 140
Fountain Valley, CA

(714) 850-7300

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Dignity Health

9300 Stockdale Highway Suite 100
Bakersfield, CA 93311

(661) 664-2133

(661) 664-3601

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Some issues Dr. Tom Chao, MD can help you with:

Musculoskeletal Problems

The musculoskeletal system refers collectively to the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and nerves. It is what gives the body structure and movement. Because this system encompasses so much of the body, musculoskeletal problems are extremely varied and can happen almost anywhere. There are musculoskeletal problems that affect only the joints, those that affect the bones, those that affect tendons and ligaments, and those that can happen in any area of the body but cause pain and numbness.

Joint problems include bursitis and arthritis. Bursitis is the inflammation of a fluid-filled sac cushion on the outside of a joint, causing symptoms including pain and swelling. Arthritis is the inflammation and damage of a joint due to wear and tear or disease. There are several treatments for arthritis, but if the damage progresses far enough, joint replacement may be necessary. In joint replacement, a metal or plastic implant is surgically placed within the joint to make movement easier.

Bone problems include scoliosis, fractures, and osteoporosis. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine, making the normally straight spine look like a 'C' or 'S.' It is treated with braces or surgery. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to weaken and break easily. It's most common in women, especially older women. Fully half of all women over 65 have osteoporosis. Fractures are any break in the bone. They can be a simple crack or a severe and complicated shatter. Osteoporosis causes fractures in people who have it, but other causes are trauma (such as a fall) or overuse.

Tendon and ligament problems most often result from injury or overuse. Two good examples are ligament tears and tendonitis. The most common ligament tear is the ACL tear in the knee. This ligament supports and stabilizes the knee and is most often torn during sports activities. Tendonitis happens when a tendon, which connects muscles and bones together, becomes irritated and inflamed. This happens most often in older patients who push their bodies too far, leading to pain and swelling. Treatment for both tendon and ligament problems usually includes rest, ice, and supporting the area to let it heal.

Pain and numbness problems can be caused by overuse, disease, an injury, or a compressed nerve. Lower back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome are two of the most common conditions patients encounter. Lower back pain may be caused by sore muscles that have been overworked, or an injury to the disks separating the vertebrae in the spine. Lower back pain usually goes away on its own within a few days, but it may require medical treatment depending on the cause. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve at the base of the palm becomes trapped or pinched. Symptoms include tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness in the hand. Treatment involves rest and sometimes steroid injections.

Because the musculoskeletal system involves so much of the body, problems here can be incredibly varied in their type and severity. Some musculoskeletal problems will go away on their own or only require rest, while others may require medication, physical therapy, or even surgery.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tom Chao, MD in 2016

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Tom Chao, MD treated during 2016 were hypertension.

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	0
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	0
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Tom Chao, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	108

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tom Chao, MD.

**Gender**
Male	48
Female	74

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	56
Black	0
Hispanic	51
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	50
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	55

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tom Chao, MD in 2017

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Tom Chao, MD treated during 2017 were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	39
Depression	31
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	25
Diabetes	43
Dementia	12
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Tom Chao, MD treated as a sports medicine doctor in Bakersfield, CA during 2018 were aspiration, injections, minimally invasive procedures and joint surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Tom Chao, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	41
decompression surgery	11
doctor visit	184
injections	41
joint surgery	11
minimally invasive procedures	11
upper extremity surgery	11

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tom Chao, MD.

**Gender**
Male	76
Female	83

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	54
Black	0
Hispanic	82
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	65
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	70

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tom Chao, MD in 2018

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Tom Chao, MD treated during 2018 were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension	74
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	18
Diabetes	49
Dementia	0
Cancer	9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Tom Chao, MD treated as a sports medicine doctor in Bakersfield, CA during 2019 were aspiration and injections.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Tom Chao, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	20
doctor visit	132
injections	20

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tom Chao, MD.

**Gender**
Male	52
Female	78

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	54
Black	0
Hispanic	60
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	59
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	53

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tom Chao, MD in 2019

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Tom Chao, MD treated during 2019 were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	63
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	34
Depression	33
Chronic Kidney Disease	37
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	25
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	55
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Tom Chao, MD treated as a sports medicine doctor in Bakersfield, CA during 2020 were aspiration and injections.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Tom Chao, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	61
doctor visit	160
injections	61

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tom Chao, MD.

**Gender**
Male	47
Female	66

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	49
Black	0
Hispanic	50
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	50
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	45

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tom Chao, MD in 2020

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Tom Chao, MD treated during 2020 were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	73
High Cholesterol	68
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	42
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	30
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	50
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Tom Chao, MD treated as a sports medicine doctor in Bakersfield, CA during 2021 were aspiration and injections.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Tom Chao, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	71
doctor visit	203
injections	71

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tom Chao, MD.

**Gender**
Male	57
Female	96

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	84
Black	0
Hispanic	52
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	58
From 75 to 84	34
85 and over	18
Less than 65	43

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tom Chao, MD in 2021

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Tom Chao, MD treated during 2021 were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and diabetes.

Hypertension	73
High Cholesterol	67
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	41
Depression	33
Chronic Kidney Disease	33
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	22
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	39
Dementia	10
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Tom Chao, MD treated as a sports medicine doctor in Bakersfield, CA during 2022 were aspiration, injections, X-rays and musculoskeletal imaging.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Tom Chao, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	109
doctor visit	288
hospital care	12
injections	109
inpatient care	12
musculoskeletal imaging	15
X-rays	15

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tom Chao, MD.

**Gender**
Male	55
Female	144

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	138
Black	0
Hispanic	31
Asian	19
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	88
From 75 to 84	56
85 and over	40
Less than 65	15

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tom Chao, MD in 2022

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Tom Chao, MD treated during 2022 were high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes and osteoperosis.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	29
Asthma	18
Osteoperosis	31
Atrial Fibrilation	17
Heart Failure	20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	38
Dementia	8
Cancer	16

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2023 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Tom Chao, MD treated as a sports medicine doctor in Bakersfield, CA during 2023 were aspiration, injections, hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Tom Chao, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	79
doctor visit	168
hospital care	44
injections	79
inpatient care	44

2023 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tom Chao, MD.

**Gender**
Male	46
Female	89

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	94
Black	0
Hispanic	18
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	52
From 75 to 84	48
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tom Chao, MD in 2023

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Tom Chao, MD treated during 2023 were high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	10
Ischemic Heart Disease	34
Depression	33
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	26
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	26
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	22
Diabetes	41
Dementia	19
Cancer	18

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2016 - 2023

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Tom Chao, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Tom Chao, MD treated as a sports medicine doctor in Bakersfield, CA were aspiration, injections, hospital care and inpatient care.

aspiration	63
decompression surgery	11
doctor visit	177
hospital care	28
injections	63
inpatient care	28
joint surgery	11
minimally invasive procedures	11
musculoskeletal imaging	15
upper extremity surgery	11
X-rays	15

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2016 - 2023

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tom Chao, MD.

**Gender**
Male	47
Female	78

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	2
Non-Hispanic White	66
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	43
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	17
85 and over	7
Less than 65	35
65 to 74	52

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Tom Chao, MD From 2016 - 2023

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Tom Chao, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension	73
High Cholesterol	57
Stroke	3
Ischemic Heart Disease	31
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	30
Asthma	12
Osteoporosis	9
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	39
Atrial Fibrillation	5
Cancer	6
Dementia	6

Education & Training

Dr. Tom Chao, MD graduated from University of California, San Diego (UCSD), School of Medicine. He completed residency at University of California, Irvine Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery and has a state license in California.

Medical School: University of California, San Diego (UCSD), School of Medicine

Residency: University of California, Irvine Affiliated Hospitals

Board Certification: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery

Licensed In: California

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Tom Chao, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Providence

Dignity Health

Long Beach Medical Center

MemorialCare

NEWPORT CARE MEDICAL GROUP INC

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Dr. Tom Chao, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Anthem Blue Cross HMO, Aetna HMO, Blue Shield of California, United Healthcare HMO, Anthem, Medicare Advantage, Humana Medicare Advantage, Health Net HMO, CIGNA HMO and Aetna Commercial.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Tom Chao, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

Anthem Blue Cross HMO

Aetna HMO

Blue Shield of California

United Healthcare HMO

Anthem

Medicare Advantage

Humana Medicare Advantage

Health Net HMO

CIGNA HMO

Aetna Commercial

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Tom Chao, MD has an average of 1.0 out of 5 stars based on 1 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Tom Chao, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Bakersfield, CA.

Overall Rating

(1 Rating)

Leave a Review

Reviews Left On DocSpot

Overall Rating: 1.0 2023-11-22

My first visit was on 10/25/23, I got a cortisone shot in my hip and was told that I would be able to start running again. The Doctor told me that if the shot didn’t work, I could get an MRI, so I scheduled a follow up appointment. After 3 days I tried to run but my hip still hurt and started clicking. I called the office and asked if I could get the MRI during my follow-up so I wouldn’t have to make two trips to the office because it is very out of the way for me. Two days before my follow-up I was told that the MRI needed to be approved by my insurance which would take 2-4 business days. I canceled my follow-up appointment because I did not think that the MRI would be approved by then.

It has now been almost a month since my first visit and I still have not had an MRI. I have called this office over 20 times in the past month trying to advocate for myself because I am in pain. It is extremely difficult trying to get a hold of anyone in the office because they almost always send you to an answering service. Every time I have followed up on this MRI, I have been told it is still pending through my insurance. Last week I was told that I would be getting a call to schedule the MRI that day and no one ever called me. When I followed up this past Monday, I was told that the Doctor never put in an order for the MRI because I needed to do a follow up visit. I was never told by the staff that I wouldn’t get the MRI if I didn’t do the follow up visit. I also don’t understand why they would tell me that someone is going to call me and schedule the MRI if there was never an order to begin with.

This experience has made me feel like this office does not care about me as a patient. The staff seems incompetent and overall, it has been extremely disappointing and frustrating.

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Tom Chao, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Smith & Nephew, Inc.	$10,000 Sports Med Knee $1,075	Sports Med Hip $593	Fast-Fix 360 $331	$8,000
Stryker Corporation	$2,232 Hip Arthroscopy Access & Instrumentation Set $628	Gamma $377	COBRA $250	T2 ALPHA $189	CinchLock SS $162	Other $625
Exactech, Inc.	$603 Equinoxe $603
Globus Medical, Inc.	$560 Anthem $138	Distal Femur Plate $89	EVO Retrograde $77	Tibial Nail $54	Autobahn $47	Other $155
Miach Orthopaedics, Inc.	$163 $163
Other	$922 DYNACORD $74	GLOBAL $63	XIAFLEX $58	Comprehensive Shoulder System $55	NovoStitch $48	Other $624

**Types of Payments**
Education	$8,372
Food and Beverage	$4,066
Travel and Lodging	$2,042

Biography

Dr. Tom Chao's areas of specialization are orthopedics/orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. His areas of expertise include the following: knee arthritis, forearm fracture, and femur (thigh bone) fracture. He appears to be in-network for United Healthcare HMO, Anthem, Blue California, and more. Dr. Chao attended medical school at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), School of Medicine. Dr. Chao is conversant in Spanish. He is affiliated with Providence and Long Beach Medical Center.