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Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD

Accepting New Patients
Specializes in: Otology and Neurotology
University of Washington School of Medicine (1989)
Professional interests include: ear abscess, nerve injury, pituitary tumor, and more.
21911 76th Avenue West Suite 211
Edmonds, WA 98026

Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD is an otologist and neurotologist in Puyallup, WA specializing in otology and neurotology. He graduated from University of Washington School of Medicine in 1989 and has 37 years of experience. Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD is affiliated with Swedish Medical Center, Providence, Swedish Cherry Hill Campus, Swedish First Hill Campus and PROLIANCE SURGEONS INC P S.

View Doctor's Full Profile (425) 775-6651

Office Locations

104 27th Avenue Se
Puyallup, WA 98374
(253) 770-9000
(253) 770-9712
open_in_new

Swedish First Hill Campus

21911 76th Avenue West Suite 211
Edmonds, WA 98026
(425) 775-6651
open_in_new
515 Minor Avenue Suite 140
Seattle, WA 98104
open_in_new

Some issues Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD can help you with:

Craniotomy

Craniotomy and craniectomy are surgical procedures used to access the brain and treat tumors, intracranial pressure, or other conditions. These surgeries are performed by creating holes in the skull, or cranium, to expose the brain. The opening in the skull can be immediately replaced (craniotomy), or it can be replaced during a later procedure (craniectomy). The following procedures use craniotomy or craniectomy:

  • Brain biopsy, which is done by guiding a needle through the opening in the skull to the targeted area of the brain. This procedure may be performed through an open or minimally invasive approach. The minimally invasive approach, called stereotactic brain biopsy, uses a computer to guide the needle.
  • Brain tumor resection, which may be performed following a biopsy with image guidance. Depending on the size and location of the tumor, resection will require 2-5 hours.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak repair, particularly for leaks that continue for a long period of time after a surgery. CSF leaks that are left untreated can lead to complications such as meningitis, an inflammation of the outer layers (meninges) of the brain.
  • Decompression, often following a stroke or injury. Decompressive craniotomy or craniectomy temporarily removes a flap from the skull to give the brain more room for swelling, which provides pressure relief.
  • Hematoma evacuation, which can also relieve pressure on the brain. A hematoma is a swelling of clotted blood. It can occur between the skull and the outer covering of the brain, or dura (epidural), between the dura and the brain (subdural), and within the brain (intracerebral). Craniotomy or craniectomy may be used to access and remove the hematoma.

To perform a craniotomy, the surgeon will need to make an incision on the scalp to expose the skull. Some of the hair may be shaved, and the scalp will be cleaned with antiseptic solution. Following the incision, the surgeon will use a drill to remove a piece of the skull, called a bone or skull flap. If the surgeon needs to reach a tumor or perform an aspiration, the dura, which covers the brain, will be incised (cut) to access the lesion. The bone flap will be reattached once the surgeon has completed the procedure. If the surgeon is performing a craniectomy, the same steps will be followed, but a mesh piece will be placed where the bone flap was, and the scalp will be surgically closed. Patients will need to wear a special helmet for a few months after the procedure. The bone flap will be preserved and replaced during a later operation, or it may never be replaced.

Patient recovery period can range from two days to two weeks, depending on the specific procedure and condition. Patient will require monitoring and may be given medication for pain or brain swelling. Patients will have to restrict their physical activity for some time after the procedure, and they may need to work with a physical therapist.

In The News (see more mentions in the news)

“Douglas Backous, a neurotologist in Edmonds, Washington, who treats patients with hearing disorders, said tinnitus can have a wide range of causes, including tumors or brain injuries.”—"Posts tout unproven tinnitus cures", Yahoo News, August 2022
“Q-tips are almost addicting to use to clear out wax and it becomes a vicious cycle when we do so, said Douglas Backous, a neurotologist specializing in treating ear and skull conditions.”—"How we got addicted to using Q-tips the wrong way", CNN, June 2022
“Top donors include surgeon Douglas Backous, Cascade Political Action Committee, a PAC that donates mostly to Republican candidates, and William Weyerhaeuser.”—"How do you reopen schools in a pandemic? Washington state superintendent candidates have different ideas", The Spokesman-Review, September 2020

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD in 2023

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

Top 5%

By Volume:

cochlear implant surgery
CT scan
ear procedures
impacted ear wax removal
orbit CT scan

In 2023, Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD performed more cochlear implant surgery, CT scan, ear procedures, impacted ear wax removal, and orbit (eye socket) CT scan procedures for Medicare patients than 95% of providers in related specialties within Washington.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD treated as an otologist and neurotologist in Puyallup, WA during 2012 were implant surgery and ear procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 197
ear procedures 17
implant surgery 17

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD treated as an otologist and neurotologist in Puyallup, WA during 2013 were ear procedures, implant surgery and excision.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 215
ear procedures 24
excision 11
implant surgery 13

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD.

Gender
Male 69
Female 102
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 144
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 87
From 75 to 84 47
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD in 2013

Hypertension 47
High Cholesterol 41
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 19
Depression 23
Chronic Kidney Disease 16
Asthma 6
Osteoperosis 8
Atrial Fibrilation 6
Heart Failure 6
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 26
Dementia 0
Cancer 6

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD treated as an otologist and neurotologist in Puyallup, WA during 2014 were preventive care, vaccines, implant surgery and ear procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 256
ear procedures 24
implant surgery 24
preventive care 42
vaccines 42

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD.

Gender
Male 108
Female 121
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 196
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 12
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 116
From 75 to 84 61
85 and over 19
Less than 65 33

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD in 2014

Hypertension 52
High Cholesterol 48
Stroke 5
Ischemic Heart Disease 24
Depression 20
Chronic Kidney Disease 12
Asthma 8
Osteoperosis 7
Atrial Fibrilation 11
Heart Failure 10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 9
Diabetes 25
Dementia 0
Cancer 9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD treated as an otologist and neurotologist in Puyallup, WA during 2015 were preventive care, vaccines, implant surgery and ear procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 198
ear procedures 22
implant surgery 22
plastic surgery procedures 11
preventive care 29
reconstructive surgery 11
tissue transfer 11
vaccines 29

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD.

Gender
Male 198
Female 188
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 328
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 200
From 75 to 84 104
85 and over 30
Less than 65 52

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD in 2015

Hypertension 54
High Cholesterol 43
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 25
Depression 24
Chronic Kidney Disease 15
Asthma 9
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 9
Heart Failure 10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 24
Dementia 6
Cancer 11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD treated as an otologist and neurotologist in Puyallup, WA during 2016 were implant surgery and ear procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 185
ear procedures 16
implant surgery 16

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD.

Gender
Male 80
Female 98
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 151
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 12
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 85
From 75 to 84 56
85 and over 15
Less than 65 22

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD in 2016

Hypertension 53
High Cholesterol 43
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 22
Depression 21
Chronic Kidney Disease 16
Asthma 17
Osteoperosis 12
Atrial Fibrilation 8
Heart Failure 10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 12
Diabetes 20
Dementia 10
Cancer 10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD treated as an otologist and neurotologist in Puyallup, WA during 2017 were ear procedures, excision and implant surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 272
ear procedures 31
excision 16
implant surgery 15

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD.

Gender
Male 117
Female 115
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 201
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 18
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 114
From 75 to 84 72
85 and over 20
Less than 65 26

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD in 2017

Hypertension 51
High Cholesterol 32
Stroke 7
Ischemic Heart Disease 21
Depression 17
Chronic Kidney Disease 23
Asthma 7
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 11
Heart Failure 6
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 7
Diabetes 21
Dementia 7
Cancer 7

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD treated as an otologist and neurotologist in Puyallup, WA during 2018 were ear procedures, CT scan, eye procedures and implant surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD for Medicare patients.

CT scan 36
doctor visit 392
ear procedures 50
excision 17
eye procedures 36
implant surgery 33

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD.

Gender
Male 150
Female 137
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 255
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 11
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 135
From 75 to 84 100
85 and over 28
Less than 65 24

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD in 2018

Hypertension 58
High Cholesterol 47
Stroke 4
Ischemic Heart Disease 25
Depression 22
Chronic Kidney Disease 25
Asthma 9
Osteoperosis 8
Atrial Fibrilation 14
Heart Failure 10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 10
Diabetes 26
Dementia 8
Cancer 10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD treated as an otologist and neurotologist in Puyallup, WA during 2019 were ear procedures, CT scan, eye procedures and implant surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD for Medicare patients.

CT scan 55
doctor visit 472
ear procedures 62
excision 16
eye procedures 55
implant surgery 33

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD.

Gender
Male 167
Female 160
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 299
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 11
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 155
From 75 to 84 109
85 and over 39
Less than 65 24

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD in 2019

Hypertension 58
High Cholesterol 48
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 24
Depression 19
Chronic Kidney Disease 28
Asthma 6
Osteoperosis 8
Atrial Fibrilation 12
Heart Failure 14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 10
Diabetes 25
Dementia 6
Cancer 8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD treated as an otologist and neurotologist in Puyallup, WA during 2020 were ear procedures, CT scan, eye procedures and implant surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD for Medicare patients.

CT scan 35
doctor visit 386
ear procedures 57
excision 19
eye procedures 35
implant surgery 23

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD.

Gender
Male 142
Female 166
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 275
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 141
From 75 to 84 104
85 and over 40
Less than 65 23

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD in 2020

Hypertension 54
High Cholesterol 45
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 23
Depression 21
Chronic Kidney Disease 22
Asthma 5
Osteoperosis 8
Atrial Fibrilation 10
Heart Failure 15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 8
Diabetes 23
Dementia 6
Cancer 9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD treated as an otologist and neurotologist in Puyallup, WA during 2021 were ear procedures, implant surgery, CT scan and eye procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD for Medicare patients.

CT scan 27
doctor visit 442
ear procedures 72
excision 12
eye procedures 27
implant surgery 31

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD.

Gender
Male 172
Female 177
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 321
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 11
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 176
From 75 to 84 115
85 and over 35
Less than 65 23

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD in 2021

Hypertension 50
High Cholesterol 44
Stroke 4
Ischemic Heart Disease 27
Depression 21
Chronic Kidney Disease 23
Asthma 7
Osteoperosis 10
Atrial Fibrilation 9
Heart Failure 13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 8
Diabetes 21
Dementia 5
Cancer 10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD treated as an otologist and neurotologist in Puyallup, WA during 2022 were ear procedures, CT scan, eye procedures and implant surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD for Medicare patients.

CT scan 30
doctor visit 485
ear procedures 74
excision 13
eye procedures 30
implant surgery 22

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD.

Gender
Male 181
Female 217
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 363
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 14
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 179
From 75 to 84 143
85 and over 52
Less than 65 24

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD in 2022

Hypertension 63
High Cholesterol 63
Stroke 7
Ischemic Heart Disease 19
Depression 22
Chronic Kidney Disease 18
Asthma 13
Osteoperosis 15
Atrial Fibrilation 15
Heart Failure 13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 11
Diabetes 23
Dementia 4
Cancer 17

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD treated as an otologist and neurotologist in Puyallup, WA were ear procedures, CT scan, eye procedures and preventive care.

CT scan 36
doctor visit 318
ear procedures 40
excision 14
eye procedures 36
implant surgery 22
plastic surgery procedures 11
preventive care 35
reconstructive surgery 11
tissue transfer 11
vaccines 35

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD.

Gender
Male 125
Female 134
Ethnicity
Black / African American 0
Asian / Pacific Islander 4
Non-Hispanic White 230
Hispanic 0
Native American / Alaskan Native 0
Other 3
Age
75 to 84 82
85 and over 25
Less than 65 22
65 to 74 126

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension 49
High Cholesterol 41
Stroke 2
Ischemic Heart Disease 20
Depression 19
Chronic Kidney Disease 18
Asthma 7
Osteoporosis 6
Heart Failure 9
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 6
Diabetes 21
Atrial Fibrillation 9
Cancer 8
Dementia 4

Education & Training

Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD graduated from University of Washington School of Medicine in 1989. He completed residency at Baylor University Medical Center. He is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Otolaryngology and has a state license in Washington.

Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine (1989)

Residency: Baylor University Medical Center (1995)

Board Certification: American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Otolaryngology

Licensed In: Washington

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Swedish Medical Center
Providence
Swedish Cherry Hill Campus
Swedish First Hill Campus
PROLIANCE SURGEONS INC P S

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. Douglas D. Backous, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Aetna PPO, Aetna HMO, AARP, Molina Healthcare, Medicare Advantage, Providence, Amerigroup, CIGNA PPO, Humana Medicare Advantage, United Healthcare, Medicare, Kaiser Permanente, Aetna Medicare PPO, Medicaid, Health Net Federal Services Champus and Community Health Plan of Washington WA Apple Health.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

Aetna PPO
Aetna HMO
AARP
Molina Healthcare
Medicare Advantage
Providence
Amerigroup
CIGNA PPO
Humana Medicare Advantage
United Healthcare
Medicare
Kaiser Permanente
Aetna Medicare PPO
Medicaid
Health Net Federal Services Champus
Community Health Plan of Washington WA Apple Health

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD has a good overall rating with an average of 2.6 out of 5 stars based on 5 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Puyallup, WA. 

2.6
Overall Rating
Leave a Review

General Payments

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

Payments by Company
MED-EL Corporation $23,872 MED-EL Maestro Cochlear Implant System
$21,923 		BCI 602 Kit
$1,750 		ADHEAR Professional Kit
$142 		Mi1250 SYNCHRONY 2 FLEXsoft
$57
Stryker Corporation $20,634 NEURO and SPINE and ENT
$11,256 		NSE S2 Drill
$5,020 		NSE - High Speed Drills
$4,000 		NSE Saber Drill
$180 		NSE New Product Development
$135 		Other
$42
Cochlear Americas $19,701 Baha
$18,111 		Nucleus
$797 		OSIA OSI300 IMPLANT
$385 		Cochlear
$186 		Osia
$143 		Other
$78
Nihon Cochlear Co Ltd $16,890 Baha
$11,372 		Nucleus
$5,518
Cochlear Ltd $15,511 Baha
$15,511
Other $54,322 PONTO BONE ANCHORED HEARING SYSTEM
$12,008 		Baha
$11,317 		NIM
$10,513 		Nerve Monitoring Products
$8,510 		2 IN 1 ALTO IMPLANT
$3,479 		Other
$8,495
Types of Payments
Travel and Lodging $72,338
Consulting Fee $60,525
Food and Beverage $10,693
Royalty or License $3,556
Education $1,903
Other $1,914

Research Payments

Dr. Douglas D. Backous, MD has received 17 research payments totaling $27,815.

Biography

Dr. Douglas Backous' specialties are otology and neurotology and physical therapy. He practices in Puyallup, WA, Seattle, WA, and Edmonds, WA. Dr. Backous attended the University of Washington School of Medicine and subsequently trained at Baylor University Medical Center for residency. These areas are among his clinical interests: otosclerosis, gamma knife radiosurgery, and ear pain. The average patient rating for Dr. Backous is 2.5 stars (out of 5). He accepts several insurance carriers, including Amerigroup, AARP, and Aetna. His hospital/clinic affiliations include Providence, Swedish Cherry Hill Campus, and Swedish First Hill Campus. Dr. Backous's practice in Edmonds, WA is open to new patients as reported by Swedish Medical Center.

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