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Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO

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Specializes in: Adult Nephrology
West Virginia University School of Medicine (1996)
Professional interests include: nephrotic syndrome, interstitial cystitis, glomerulonephritis, and more.
1120 Huffman Road 24-691
Anchorage, AK 99515

Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO is a nephrologist in Anchorage, AK specializing in adult nephrology. He graduated from West Virginia University School of Medicine in 1996 and has 30 years of experience. Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO is affiliated with Providence, Alaska Regional Hospital, Providence Alaska Medical Center, Providence St. Elias Specialty Hospital and DIALYSIS ASSOCIATES OF ALASKA, LLC.

View Doctor's Full Profile (907) 770-0412

Office Locations

1120 Huffman Road 24-691
Anchorage, AK 99515
(907) 770-0412
(807) 770-0435
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3300 Providence Drive Suite B201
Anchorage, AK 99508
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Some issues Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO can help you with:

Dialysis

Dialysis is a procedure that replicates renal (kidney) function by filtering patients' blood. When kidneys do not work properly, waste can accumulate in the blood and unbalanced chemicals can impair the body's critical functions. In order to stay healthy, a person without proper kidney function must receive dialysis. There are two forms of dialysis treatment: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Both forms of dialysis are recurring treatments that in many cases last throughout the lifetime of the affected patient. Patients who briefly lose renal function may slowly reduce the frequency of dialysis sessions until their kidneys recover. However, most patients who start on dialysis remain on dialysis for the rest of their lives or until they receive a kidney transplant.

A number of conditions can worsen renal function and lead to end-stage or acute kidney failure. When kidneys fail (i.e. nearly 90 percent of their function is lost), dialysis is typically prescribed. Conditions that cause chronic kidney failure (eventually requiring dialysis) include:

  • Type 1 and 2 Diabetes
  • Pyelonephritis, recurring kidney infection
  • Glomerulonephritis, inflammation of the kidney's filtering parts
  • Polycystic kidney disease
  • Interstitial nephritis, inflammation of the kidney's tubules
  • High blood pressure
  • Vesicoureteral reflux, improper bladder emptying

For hemodialysis (the more common form of dialysis), a patient will visit a hospital or clinic and be connected to a dialysis machine by a needle attached to a tube that draws blood from the arm. The drawn blood is transferred to the dialysis machine, where it is filtered and separated until clean. Waste products from the blood pass into a fluid called dialysate, which is pumped out of the machine into a waste receptacle. The machine also measures and helps ensure the blood has the appropriate level of fluid, electrolytes, and pH. A tube delivers the cleaned blood back into the patient's body. A dialysis session like this will typically last for three to four hours, with a patient undergoing dialysis around three times per week.

A second method of dialysis is known as peritoneal dialysis. Unlike hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis can be performed at home by oneself after an initial surgery. To start, a physician (generally a surgeon) will make a small incision in the lower abdomen and insert and surgically attach a catheter (thin tube). At home, the patient connects a pump to the abdomen catheter, delivering dialysate (dialysis fluid) from a bag hanging on a wheeled stand. This fluid enters the peritoneal cavity (greater abdomen area containing the stomach, liver, and intestines) and collects waste through osmosis, where waste in the blood moves across a membrane and into the dialysate. This process continues for several hours until the fluid concentration is equal between the blood and dialysate, at which point the fluid can be drained. The fluid can then be passed through a machine called a cycler, which removes waste and allows for the dialysate to be reused. This process is repeated about four times per day. Dialysis patients must limit the amount of fluid they consume prior to receiving dialysis and should also avoid eating salty foods. The cycler cannot filter more than a certain amount of waste products from the blood.

Kidneys are important organs, and dialysis treatments are vital for those with renal dysfunction. For many, dialysis is not so much a medical procedure but a part of their normal life.

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the kidneys, made up of minerals that are normally present in urine. They can vary in size, from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a nickel, occasionally even larger. Sometimes they lodge in the kidney, and sometimes they break free and make their way out through the urinary tract, which can be extremely painful.

Kidney stones can be smooth or jagged and are yellow to brown in color. They are mostly comprised of the minerals calcium, oxalate, and phosphorus. Examining the stones to see what they are made of can show what caused the stone to be formed in the first place. For example, a stone made of mostly calcium, which is the most common type, can happen any time the urine becomes too concentrated due to dehydration or a blockage in the kidney. A uric acid stone forms when acid levels in the urine get too high, usually due to excessive consumption of animal protein such as meat and fish. A struvite stone is a sign of certain infections, and a cystine stone can be due to a genetic disorder that raises the risk of kidney stones.

The most common symptom of kidney stones is pain, either in the back or lower abdomen, or severe pain when urinating. There may also be blood in the urine. Treatment for kidney stones depends on how large the stone is. Very small stones can pass out of the body on their own, and they do not require treatment other than drinking adequate water and taking pain killers. Larger stones need to be broken apart and removed. The main treatment options are:

  • Shock wave lithotripsy, which uses sound wave vibrations to break apart the stone
  • Percutaneous nephrolithotomy, or the use of a very tiny tool (like a wire inserted through the back) to break apart and remove the stone
  • Ureteroscopy, a thin tube inserted through the urethra and bladder to the stone, where tiny tools can grasp the stone and remove

People who have had one kidney stone are at risk of developing another. To reduce this risk, patients are given instructions specific to the type of stone they developed. Generally the instructions will include drinking more water to dilute the urine, but it may also involve lowering sodium intake or eating less meat.

Peritoneal Dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis is a procedure that imitates renal (kidney) function by filtering patients' blood. When the kidneys do not work properly, waste can accumulate in the blood and unbalanced chemicals can impair the body's critical functions. In order to stay healthy, a person without proper kidney function must receive dialysis. There are two forms of dialysis treatment: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Both forms of dialysis are recurring treatments that in many cases last throughout the lifetime of the affected patient.

Peritoneal dialysis can be performed at home by oneself after an initial surgery. To start, a physician (generally a surgeon) will make a small incision in the lower abdomen and insert and surgically attach a catheter (thin tube). At home, the patient connects a pump to the abdomen catheter, delivering dialysate (dialysis fluid) from a bag hanging on a wheeled stand. This fluid enters the peritoneal cavity (greater abdomen area containing the stomach, liver, and intestines) and collects waste through osmosis, where waste in the blood moves across a membrane and into the dialysate. This process continues for several hours until the fluid concentration is equal between the blood and dialysate, at which point the fluid can be drained. The fluid can then be passed through a machine called a cycler, which removes waste and allows for the dialysate to be reused. This process is repeated about four times per day. Dialysis patients must limit the amount of fluid they consume prior to receiving dialysis and should also avoid eating salty foods. The cycler cannot filter more than a certain amount of waste products from the blood.

Kidneys are important organs, and peritoneal dialysis can be vital for those with renal dysfunction. Peritoneal dialysis may be a more convenient alternative to hemodialysis, which requires going into a clinic.

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO in 2023

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 5%

By Volume:

hemofiltration

In 2023, Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO performed more hemofiltration procedures for Medicare patients than 95% of providers in related specialties within Alaska.

Top 25%

By Volume:

dialysis

In 2012, Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO performed more dialysis procedures for Medicare patients than 75% of providers in related specialties within Alaska.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO treated as a nephrologist in Anchorage, AK during 2012 were hospital care, inpatient care, dialysis and hemofiltration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO for Medicare patients.

dialysis 220
doctor visit 472
hemofiltration 90
hospital care 461
inpatient care 461

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO treated as a nephrologist in Anchorage, AK during 2013 were hospital care, inpatient care, dialysis and hemofiltration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO for Medicare patients.

dialysis 360
doctor visit 444
hemofiltration 160
hospital care 704
inpatient care 704

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO.

Gender
Male 306
Female 310
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 358
Black 46
Hispanic 18
Asian 54
Other 16
Native American 124
Age
From 65 to 74 214
From 75 to 84 158
85 and over 52
Less than 65 192

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO in 2013

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 60
Stroke 6
Ischemic Heart Disease 49
Depression 24
Chronic Kidney Disease 75
Asthma 9
Osteoperosis 8
Atrial Fibrilation 16
Heart Failure 45
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 21
Diabetes 56
Dementia 9
Cancer 10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO treated as a nephrologist in Anchorage, AK during 2014 were hospital care, inpatient care, dialysis and hemofiltration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO for Medicare patients.

dialysis 275
doctor visit 462
hemofiltration 79
hospital care 614
inpatient care 614

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO.

Gender
Male 315
Female 286
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 352
Black 50
Hispanic 18
Asian 49
Other 18
Native American 114
Age
From 65 to 74 223
From 75 to 84 148
85 and over 45
Less than 65 185

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO in 2014

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 62
Stroke 7
Ischemic Heart Disease 48
Depression 22
Chronic Kidney Disease 75
Asthma 9
Osteoperosis 7
Atrial Fibrilation 16
Heart Failure 41
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 18
Diabetes 55
Dementia 9
Cancer 10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO treated as a nephrologist in Anchorage, AK during 2015 were hospital care, inpatient care, dialysis and hemofiltration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO for Medicare patients.

dialysis 209
doctor visit 552
hemofiltration 63
hospital care 656
inpatient care 656

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO.

Gender
Male 644
Female 618
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 786
Black 124
Hispanic 46
Asian 124
Other 48
Native American 134
Age
From 65 to 74 520
From 75 to 84 298
85 and over 88
Less than 65 356

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO in 2015

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 63
Stroke 6
Ischemic Heart Disease 50
Depression 23
Chronic Kidney Disease 75
Asthma 14
Osteoperosis 10
Atrial Fibrilation 15
Heart Failure 43
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 20
Diabetes 61
Dementia 10
Cancer 7

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO treated as a nephrologist in Anchorage, AK during 2016 were hospital care, inpatient care, dialysis and hemofiltration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO for Medicare patients.

dialysis 279
doctor visit 497
hemofiltration 59
hospital care 661
inpatient care 661

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO.

Gender
Male 297
Female 264
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 361
Black 52
Hispanic 25
Asian 68
Other 24
Native American 31
Age
From 65 to 74 233
From 75 to 84 124
85 and over 44
Less than 65 160

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO in 2016

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 63
Stroke 7
Ischemic Heart Disease 52
Depression 20
Chronic Kidney Disease 75
Asthma 22
Osteoperosis 6
Atrial Fibrilation 14
Heart Failure 48
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 19
Diabetes 63
Dementia 12
Cancer 8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO treated as a nephrologist in Anchorage, AK during 2017 were hospital care, inpatient care, dialysis and hemofiltration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO for Medicare patients.

dialysis 265
doctor visit 479
hemofiltration 50
hospital care 561
inpatient care 561

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO.

Gender
Male 300
Female 264
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 334
Black 42
Hispanic 28
Asian 81
Other 29
Native American 50
Age
From 65 to 74 228
From 75 to 84 133
85 and over 35
Less than 65 168

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO in 2017

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 64
Stroke 6
Ischemic Heart Disease 49
Depression 21
Chronic Kidney Disease 75
Asthma 9
Osteoperosis 7
Atrial Fibrilation 15
Heart Failure 47
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 19
Diabetes 63
Dementia 13
Cancer 8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO treated as a nephrologist in Anchorage, AK during 2018 were hospital care, inpatient care, dialysis and hemofiltration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO for Medicare patients.

dialysis 384
doctor visit 504
hemofiltration 124
hospital care 478
inpatient care 478

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO.

Gender
Male 391
Female 338
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 432
Black 67
Hispanic 27
Asian 111
Other 33
Native American 59
Age
From 65 to 74 291
From 75 to 84 191
85 and over 36
Less than 65 211

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO in 2018

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 60
Stroke 5
Ischemic Heart Disease 49
Depression 18
Chronic Kidney Disease 75
Asthma 7
Osteoperosis 5
Atrial Fibrilation 13
Heart Failure 45
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 16
Diabetes 67
Dementia 14
Cancer 7

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO treated as a nephrologist in Anchorage, AK during 2019 were dialysis, hospital care, inpatient care and hemofiltration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO for Medicare patients.

dialysis 322
doctor visit 405
hemofiltration 98
hospital care 317
inpatient care 317

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO.

Gender
Male 312
Female 266
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 322
Black 0
Hispanic 28
Asian 103
Other 22
Native American 47
Age
From 65 to 74 215
From 75 to 84 151
85 and over 35
Less than 65 177

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO in 2019

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 63
Stroke 6
Ischemic Heart Disease 54
Depression 21
Chronic Kidney Disease 75
Asthma 8
Osteoperosis 4
Atrial Fibrilation 16
Heart Failure 45
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 16
Diabetes 63
Dementia 19
Cancer 7

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO treated as a nephrologist in Anchorage, AK during 2020 were dialysis, hospital care, inpatient care and hemofiltration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO for Medicare patients.

dialysis 451
doctor visit 296
hemofiltration 148
hospital care 437
inpatient care 437

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO.

Gender
Male 306
Female 265
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 308
Black 53
Hispanic 29
Asian 105
Other 29
Native American 47
Age
From 65 to 74 200
From 75 to 84 150
85 and over 25
Less than 65 196

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO in 2020

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 58
Stroke 8
Ischemic Heart Disease 57
Depression 19
Chronic Kidney Disease 75
Asthma 7
Osteoperosis 6
Atrial Fibrilation 15
Heart Failure 49
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 15
Diabetes 65
Dementia 15
Cancer 8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO treated as a nephrologist in Anchorage, AK during 2021 were dialysis, hospital care, inpatient care and hemofiltration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO for Medicare patients.

dialysis 488
doctor visit 191
hemofiltration 162
hospital care 388
inpatient care 388

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO.

Gender
Male 284
Female 244
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 286
Black 44
Hispanic 23
Asian 103
Other 33
Native American 39
Age
From 65 to 74 187
From 75 to 84 134
85 and over 20
Less than 65 187

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO in 2021

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 65
Stroke 9
Ischemic Heart Disease 55
Depression 19
Chronic Kidney Disease 75
Asthma 8
Osteoperosis 7
Atrial Fibrilation 16
Heart Failure 54
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 17
Diabetes 67
Dementia 17
Cancer 9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO treated as a nephrologist in Anchorage, AK during 2022 were dialysis, hospital care, inpatient care and hemofiltration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO for Medicare patients.

dialysis 454
doctor visit 41
hemofiltration 67
hospital care 410
inpatient care 410

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO.

Gender
Male 182
Female 181
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 162
Black 39
Hispanic 18
Asian 87
Other 23
Native American 34
Age
From 65 to 74 108
From 75 to 84 82
85 and over 14
Less than 65 159

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO in 2022

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 75
Stroke 17
Ischemic Heart Disease 50
Depression 25
Chronic Kidney Disease 75
Asthma 12
Osteoperosis 8
Atrial Fibrilation 35
Heart Failure 62
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 24
Diabetes 72
Dementia 11
Cancer 12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO treated as a nephrologist in Anchorage, AK were hospital care, inpatient care, dialysis and hemofiltration.

dialysis 337
doctor visit 394
hemofiltration 100
hospital care 517
inpatient care 517

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO.

Gender
Male 303
Female 276
Ethnicity
Black / African American 47
Asian / Pacific Islander 80
Non-Hispanic White 336
Native American / Alaskan Native 61
Hispanic 23
Other 25
Age
75 to 84 142
85 and over 35
Less than 65 181
65 to 74 219

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO treated were chronic kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol.

Hypertension 68
High Cholesterol 57
Stroke 7
Ischemic Heart Disease 46
Depression 19
Chronic Kidney Disease 68
Asthma 9
Osteoporosis 6
Heart Failure 43
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 16
Diabetes 57
Atrial Fibrillation 15
Dementia 11
Cancer 7

Education & Training

Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO graduated from West Virginia University School of Medicine in 1996. He completed residency at Allegheny General Hospital. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine and has a state license in Hawaii.

Medical School: West Virginia University School of Medicine (1996)

Residency: Allegheny General Hospital (2000)

Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine

Licensed In: Hawaii

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Providence
Alaska Regional Hospital
Providence Alaska Medical Center
Providence St. Elias Specialty Hospital
DIALYSIS ASSOCIATES OF ALASKA, LLC

Ratings & Reviews

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. David M. Lefler JR., DO. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

Payments by Company
Questcor Pharmaceuticals $93 ACTHAR- NEPH
$93
Amgen Inc. $50 Sensipar
$27 		Parsabiv
$23
Allergan Inc. $27 LINZESS
$15 		NAMENDA XR
$12
Relypsa, Inc. $21 VELTASSA
$21
Fresenius USA Marketing, Inc. $12 Velphoro
$12
Types of Payments
Food and Beverage $203

Biography

Dr. David Lefler is a specialist in adult nephrology in Anchorage, AK. His areas of expertise include the following: renal artery stenosis, partial nephrectomy, and polycystic kidney disease. Before performing his residency at Allegheny General Hospital, Dr. Lefler attended West Virginia University School of Medicine and West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine for medical school. He is affiliated with Alaska Regional Hospital and Providence Alaska Medical Center.

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