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Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS

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(Mark Sarnak, MD, MS)

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Specializes in: Physician and Nephrology (Kidney Disease)

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (1993)

Professional interests include: blood pressure problems, kidney problems, dialysis, and more.

35 Kneeland Street 4th floor
Boston, MA 02111

(617) 636-5866

Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS is a physician provider in Boston, MA specializing in physician and nephrology (kidney disease). He graduated from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1993 and has 33 years of experience. Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS is affiliated with Tufts Medicine and Tufts Medical Center Nephrology.

Office Locations

35 Kneeland Street 4th floor
Boston, MA 02111

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Some issues Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS 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.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS treated as a physician provider in Boston, MA during 2012 were hospital care, inpatient care, dialysis and hemofiltration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS for Medicare patients.

dialysis	99
doctor visit	224
hemofiltration	28
hospital care	210
inpatient care	210

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS treated as a physician provider in Boston, MA during 2013 were hospital care, inpatient care and dialysis.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS for Medicare patients.

dialysis	82
doctor visit	227
hospital care	334
inpatient care	334

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS.

**Gender**
Male	139
Female	104

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	150
Black	36
Hispanic	0
Asian	29
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	73
From 75 to 84	43
85 and over	24
Less than 65	103

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS in 2013

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	61
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	60
Depression	35
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	17
Heart Failure	52
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	26
Diabetes	59
Dementia	11
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS treated as a physician provider in Boston, MA during 2014 were hospital care, inpatient care, dialysis and hemofiltration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS for Medicare patients.

dialysis	71
doctor visit	232
hemofiltration	27
hospital care	278
inpatient care	278

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS.

**Gender**
Male	137
Female	108

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	149
Black	40
Hispanic	18
Asian	26
Other	12
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	87
From 75 to 84	49
85 and over	19
Less than 65	90

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS in 2014

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	57
Depression	38
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	20
Heart Failure	50
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	20
Diabetes	56
Dementia	13
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS treated as a physician provider in Boston, MA during 2015 were hospital care, inpatient care, dialysis and hemofiltration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS for Medicare patients.

dialysis	135
doctor visit	207
hemofiltration	37
hospital care	491
inpatient care	491

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS.

**Gender**
Male	290
Female	248

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	318
Black	104
Hispanic	0
Asian	60
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	180
From 75 to 84	120
85 and over	30
Less than 65	208

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS in 2015

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	65
Depression	41
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	20
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	25
Heart Failure	52
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	23
Diabetes	58
Dementia	15
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS treated as a physician provider in Boston, MA during 2016 were hospital care, inpatient care, dialysis and hemofiltration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS for Medicare patients.

dialysis	98
doctor visit	239
hemofiltration	44
hospital care	421
inpatient care	421

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS.

**Gender**
Male	139
Female	123

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	152
Black	52
Hispanic	21
Asian	25
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	86
From 75 to 84	55
85 and over	29
Less than 65	92

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS in 2016

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	11
Ischemic Heart Disease	63
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	23
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	22
Heart Failure	53
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	20
Diabetes	53
Dementia	21
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS treated as a physician provider in Boston, MA during 2017 were hospital care, inpatient care and dialysis.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS for Medicare patients.

dialysis	43
doctor visit	203
hospital care	314
inpatient care	314

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS.

**Gender**
Male	124
Female	106

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	149
Black	34
Hispanic	12
Asian	22
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	64
From 75 to 84	62
85 and over	23
Less than 65	81

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS in 2017

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	13
Ischemic Heart Disease	68
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	23
Heart Failure	53
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	29
Diabetes	55
Dementia	18
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS treated as a physician provider in Boston, MA during 2018 were hospital care, inpatient care and dialysis.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS for Medicare patients.

dialysis	31
doctor visit	208
hospital care	182
inpatient care	182

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS.

**Gender**
Male	114
Female	83

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	113
Black	28
Hispanic	13
Asian	29
Other	14
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	73
From 75 to 84	51
85 and over	15
Less than 65	58

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS in 2018

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	71
Stroke	17
Ischemic Heart Disease	71
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	19
Heart Failure	54
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	33
Diabetes	59
Dementia	26
Cancer	9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS treated as a physician provider in Boston, MA during 2019 were hospital care, inpatient care, dialysis and hemofiltration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS for Medicare patients.

dialysis	38
doctor visit	182
hemofiltration	23
hospital care	205
inpatient care	205

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS.

**Gender**
Male	120
Female	72

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	120
Black	28
Hispanic	21
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	67
From 75 to 84	46
85 and over	15
Less than 65	64

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS in 2019

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	61
Stroke	11
Ischemic Heart Disease	68
Depression	39
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	20
Heart Failure	54
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	27
Diabetes	58
Dementia	20
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS treated as a physician provider in Boston, MA during 2020 were hospital care, inpatient care, hemofiltration and dialysis.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS for Medicare patients.

dialysis	71
doctor visit	139
hemofiltration	71
hospital care	370
inpatient care	370

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS.

**Gender**
Male	149
Female	97

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	150
Black	36
Hispanic	0
Asian	27
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	87
From 75 to 84	65
85 and over	14
Less than 65	80

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS in 2020

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	65
Stroke	10
Ischemic Heart Disease	65
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	20
Heart Failure	55
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	25
Diabetes	54
Dementia	23
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS treated as a physician provider in Boston, MA during 2021 were hospital care, inpatient care, hemofiltration and dialysis.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS for Medicare patients.

dialysis	32
doctor visit	200
hemofiltration	32
hospital care	312
inpatient care	312

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS.

**Gender**
Male	136
Female	91

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	139
Black	31
Hispanic	25
Asian	19
Other	13
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	89
From 75 to 84	42
85 and over	20
Less than 65	76

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS in 2021

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	66
Stroke	13
Ischemic Heart Disease	63
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	20
Heart Failure	54
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	19
Diabetes	53
Dementia	23
Cancer	15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS treated as a physician provider in Boston, MA during 2022 were hospital care, inpatient care, hemofiltration and dialysis.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS for Medicare patients.

dialysis	59
doctor visit	93
hemofiltration	59
hospital care	382
inpatient care	382

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS.

**Gender**
Male	118
Female	76

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	127
Black	26
Hispanic	16
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	74
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	63

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS in 2022

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	23
Ischemic Heart Disease	51
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	19
Osteoperosis	18
Atrial Fibrilation	39
Heart Failure	52
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	26
Diabetes	55
Dementia	15
Cancer	22

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2023 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS treated as a physician provider in Boston, MA during 2023 were hospital care, inpatient care, hemofiltration and dialysis.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS for Medicare patients.

dialysis	48
doctor visit	131
hemofiltration	48
hospital care	215
inpatient care	215

2023 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS.

**Gender**
Male	100
Female	74

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	112
Black	23
Hispanic	0
Asian	16
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	62
From 75 to 84	57
85 and over	11
Less than 65	44

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS in 2023

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	21
Ischemic Heart Disease	51
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	19
Atrial Fibrilation	37
Heart Failure	52
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	25
Diabetes	55
Dementia	17
Cancer	18

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2024 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS treated as a physician provider in Boston, MA during 2024 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	112
hospital care	226
inpatient care	226

2024 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS.

**Gender**
Male	89
Female	65

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	94
Black	22
Hispanic	0
Asian	17
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	64
From 75 to 84	48
85 and over	13
Less than 65	29

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS in 2024

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	23
Ischemic Heart Disease	51
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	21
Atrial Fibrilation	38
Heart Failure	51
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	23
Diabetes	50
Dementia	16
Cancer	22

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2024

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS treated as a physician provider in Boston, MA were hospital care, inpatient care, dialysis and hemofiltration.

dialysis	67
doctor visit	184
hemofiltration	41
hospital care	303
inpatient care	303

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2024

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS.

**Gender**
Female	95
Male	127

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	35
Asian / Pacific Islander	20
Non-Hispanic White	136
Hispanic	9
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Other	3

**Age**
85 and over	16
75 to 84	49
Less than 65	76
65 to 74	77

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS From 2012 - 2024

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS treated were chronic kidney disease, hypertension, high cholesterol and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	69
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	12
Ischemic Heart Disease	56
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	69
Asthma	12
Osteoporosis	12
Heart Failure	48
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	22
Diabetes	51
Atrial Fibrillation	23
Dementia	16
Cancer	12

Education & Training

Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS graduated from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1993. He completed residency at Massachusetts General Hospital - Internal Medicine. He is certified by the Board Certification: Nephrology and has a state license in Massachusetts.

Medical School: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (1993)

Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital - Internal Medicine (1996)

Board Certification: Board Certification: Nephrology

Licensed In: Massachusetts

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. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS appears to accept the following insurance providers: https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/get-care/accepted-insurance.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS accepts the following insurance providers:

https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/get-care/accepted-insurance

Ratings & Reviews

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General Payments

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

**Payments by Company**
AKEBIA THERAPEUTICS INC	$12,960 Vafseo $4,535	$8,425
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	$9,176 $9,176
AstraZeneca UK Limited	$7,000 $7,000
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.	$4,698 Non-Covered $4,464	Kerendia $235
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP	$1,250 $1,250
Other	$468 Caiman Vessel Sealers $59	Korlym $50	ACTHAR $10	Filspari $3	$345

**Types of Payments**
Consulting Fee	$33,280
Food and Beverage	$1,191
Travel and Lodging	$1,039
Education	$42

Biography

Nephrologist Dr. Mark Sarnak practices at Tufts Medical Center Nephrology in Boston, MA, specializing in nephrology. Board certified in internal medicine and nephrology, he treats general nephrology, cardiovascular disease in patients with kidney disease, vasculitis and acute kidney disease.