Doctor profile · Federal record

Dr. Ralph Hester, M.D.

Ophthalmology Physician (CMS: Ophthalmology) · Ophthalmology Physician · Palm Desert, CA

  • NPI 1215904974
  • Accepts Medicare
  • MIPS 93.3 / 100 · 2023
  • 36 yrs in practice
  • Licensed in 2 states
  • Male
  • Group practice
  • No sanctions

Practice & contact

Operates at 2 locations .

NPPES Updated May 11, 2026
Primary practice
44139 Monterey Ave Ste A
Palm Desert, CA 922608700
(760) 469-5195
fax (760) 779-0801
Additional location
1801 E Tahquitz Canyon Way Ste 200
Palm Springs, CA 922627123
(760) 269-4291
fax (760) 327-2799

Credentials & registration

NPPES · NUCC
NPI registered
March 2006 — 20 yrs on file
Profile last updated
January 22, 2026
Year of graduation
1990 — 36 yrs since
Specialty taxonomy
207W00000X — NUCC code
State licenses (2)
California #C206920 · Oklahoma #17656

Federal sanctions & exclusions

OIG LEIE Updated May 11, 2026

No sanctions, exclusions or revocations on file

Checked against OIG LEIE on NPI 1215904974. Last verified May 11, 2026.

Medicare procedures · 2023

Top services delivered

CMS Provider Utilization
Total services
2,478
Distinct HCPCS
10
Medicare allowed
$347,809
HCPCS Description Services Patients Avg allowed
99214 Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes 658 545 $120
99213 Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 20-29 minutes 396 366 $85
92133 Imaging of optic nerve 336 278 $34
66984 Removal of cataract with insertion of prosthetic lens 237 147 $477
92134 Imaging of retina 204 182 $37
92020 Exam of the internal drainage system of eye 148 137 $26
66821 Removal of recurring cataract in lens capsule using a laser 134 111 $312
99211 Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of established patient that may not require presence of healthcare professional 77 77 $21
92136 Measurement of corneal curvature and depth of eye 59 58 $43
99204 New patient office or other outpatient visit, 45-59 minutes 54 54 $158

In context: peer comparison

Among 6 peers in Palm Desert Ophthalmology Physician, average services per provider: 138. This provider delivers 18× the peer median.

Open Payments

Industry payments received

CMS Open Payments
All-time total
$429
Transactions
29
Manufacturers
6
Payer (manufacturer) Industry Txns Amount
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries INC. 17 $191.02
Harrow Eye, LLC 4 $85.67
Ocular Therapeutix, INC. 3 $49.03
Dompe US, INC. 2 $44.53
RxSight INC 2 $40.60
Bausch & Lomb Americas INC. 1 $18.08

By nature of payment

Food and Beverage
$429

Medicare Part D · 2023

Top prescriptions

CMS Part D Prescriber
Total claims
1,512
Patients
757
Total drug cost
$136,784
Drug Type Claims Patients Total cost
Latanoprost Generic 563 164 $14,908
Ofloxacin Generic 300 199 $5,967
Neomycin-Polymyxin-Dexameth (Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Dexametha) Brand 257 212 $3,323
Flarex (Fluorometholone Acetate) Brand 60 39 $7,932
Lumigan (Bimatoprost) Brand 58 18 $23,829
Erythromycin (Erythromycin Base) Brand 34 33 $491
Restasis (Cyclosporine) Brand 34 20 $45,851
Brimonidine Tartrate Generic 32 0 $4,382
Simbrinza (Brinzolamide/Brimonidine Tart) Brand 31 13 $8,062
Timolol Maleate Generic 29 0 $238

Frequently asked questions

Auto-generated from federal data
What is Dr. Ralph Hester's medical specialty?
Dr. Ralph Hester practices Ophthalmology Physician in Palm Desert, CA.
Where does Dr. Ralph Hester practice?
Dr. Ralph Hester practices at 44139 Monterey Ave Ste A, Palm Desert, CA 922608700. Office phone: 7604695195.
What is Dr. Ralph Hester's NPI?
Dr. Ralph Hester's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1215904974, issued by NPPES.
Does Dr. Ralph Hester accept Medicare assignment?
Yes. Dr. Ralph Hester accepts Medicare assignment, meaning Medicare-allowed amounts are accepted as full payment for covered services.
What procedures does Dr. Ralph Hester commonly perform?
Top Medicare-reported procedures in 2023: Established patient office or other outpatient visit (HCPCS 99214); Established patient office or other outpatient visit (HCPCS 99213); Imaging of optic nerve (HCPCS 92133). Source: CMS Medicare Physician & Other Practitioners file.