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Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD

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(Karl G. Stonecipher, MD)

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Specializes in: Ophthalmology (Eye Disease) and General Practice

University of Oklahoma College of Medicine (1986)

2226 Nelson Highway Suite 220
Chapel Hill, NC 27517

(984) 974-2020

Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD is an ophthalmologist in Chapel Hill, NC specializing in ophthalmology (eye disease) and general practice. He graduated from University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in 1986 and has 40 years of experience. Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD is affiliated with UNC Health, UNC Hospitals and PIEDMONT EYE SURGICAL AND LASER PLLC.

Office Locations

2226 Nelson Highway Suite 220
Chapel Hill, NC 27517

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In The News

“The utility of AI begins with data points, said Karl Stonecipher, MD, of Laser Defined Vision in Greensboro, North Carolina.”—"Artificial Intelligence Creates Inroads to Ophthalmology Clinical Practice", MedPage Today, May 2023

“In this exclusive MedPage Today video, Karl Stonecipher, MD, of Laser Defined Vision in Greensboro, North Carolina, describes the application of AI in the diagnosis of dry eye, using a software...”—"Using Artificial Intelligence for Diagnosing Dry Eye", MedPage Today, May 2023

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD in 2023

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

Top 5%

By Affordability:

eye tests

laser vitreolysis

In 2023, Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD had a list price for eye tests, and laser vitreolysis that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 95% of providers in related specialties within North Carolina. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Top 10%

By Affordability:

anterior segment surgery

cataract surgery

cataract surgery with IOL implantation

extracapsular cataract extraction with IOL implantation

extracapsular lens removal

intraocular lens implant

lens removal surgery

lens replacement surgery

scanning computerized ophthalmic diagnostic imaging

SCODI of the posterior segment

secondary cataract surgery

simple cataract surgery

YAG laser capsulotomy

YAG laser surgery

In 2023, Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD had a list price for anterior segment surgery, cataract surgery, cataract surgery with IOL implantation, extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with IOL implantation, extracapsular lens removal, intraocular lens (IOL) implant, lens removal surgery, lens replacement surgery, scanning computerized ophthalmic diagnostic imaging (SCODI), SCODI of the posterior segment (SCODI-P), secondary cataract surgery, simple cataract surgery, YAG laser capsulotomy, and YAG laser surgery that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 90% of providers in related specialties within North Carolina. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Top 25%

By Volume:

laser eye surgery

By Affordability:

laser eye surgery

ophthalmic biometry

In 2012, among providers in related specialties within North Carolina, Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD performed more laser eye surgery procedures for Medicare patients than 75% of them and he also had a list price for laser eye surgery, and ophthalmic biometry that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 75% of them. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Chapel Hill, NC during 2012 were eye procedures, capsulotomy and laser treatment.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	11
eye procedures	250
laser treatment	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Chapel Hill, NC during 2013 were eye procedures, capsulotomy and laser treatment.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	26
doctor visit	23
eye procedures	566
laser treatment	26

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD.

**Gender**
Male	71
Female	109

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	158
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	117
From 75 to 84	44
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD in 2013

Hypertension	67
High Cholesterol	50
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	23
Depression	18
Chronic Kidney Disease	11
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	8
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	22
Dementia	0
Cancer	9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Chapel Hill, NC during 2014 were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and lacrimal (tearing system) procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	32
doctor visit	106
eye procedures	512
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures	20
laser treatment	32

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD.

**Gender**
Male	69
Female	123

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	170
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	117
From 75 to 84	47
85 and over	16
Less than 65	12

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD in 2014

Hypertension	61
High Cholesterol	46
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	21
Depression	22
Chronic Kidney Disease	13
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	9
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	14
Dementia	0
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Chapel Hill, NC during 2015 were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and lacrimal (tearing system) procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	47
doctor visit	113
eye procedures	704
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures	28
laser treatment	47

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD.

**Gender**
Male	204
Female	290

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	430
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	296
From 75 to 84	128
85 and over	34
Less than 65	36

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD in 2015

Hypertension	62
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	20
Chronic Kidney Disease	19
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	26
Dementia	0
Cancer	7

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Chapel Hill, NC during 2016 were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and lacrimal (tearing system) procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	46
doctor visit	91
eye procedures	622
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures	39
laser treatment	46

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD.

**Gender**
Male	83
Female	133

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	189
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	126
From 75 to 84	66
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD in 2016

Hypertension	62
High Cholesterol	54
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	18
Chronic Kidney Disease	25
Asthma	17
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	7
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	26
Dementia	0
Cancer	8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Chapel Hill, NC during 2017 were eye procedures, capsulotomy and laser treatment.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	61
doctor visit	282
eye procedures	374
laser treatment	61

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD.

**Gender**
Male	103
Female	134

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	210
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	147
From 75 to 84	73
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD in 2017

Hypertension	63
High Cholesterol	42
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	16
Chronic Kidney Disease	23
Asthma	5
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	8
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	23
Dementia	0
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Chapel Hill, NC during 2018 were eye procedures, laser treatment and capsulotomy.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	71
doctor visit	302
eye procedures	314
laser treatment	88

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD.

**Gender**
Male	78
Female	133

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	183
Black	17
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	126
From 75 to 84	68
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD in 2018

Hypertension	63
High Cholesterol	55
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	21
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	22
Dementia	0
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Chapel Hill, NC during 2019 were eye procedures, laser treatment, capsulotomy and lacrimal (tearing system) procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	51
doctor visit	227
eye procedures	472
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures	25
laser treatment	87

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD.

**Gender**
Male	88
Female	135

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	198
Black	11
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	149
From 75 to 84	54
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD in 2019

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	22
Chronic Kidney Disease	18
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	7
Heart Failure	10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	18
Dementia	0
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Chapel Hill, NC during 2020 were eye procedures, laser treatment and capsulotomy.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	45
doctor visit	172
eye procedures	325
laser treatment	66

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD.

**Gender**
Male	70
Female	93

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	144
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	105
From 75 to 84	41
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD in 2020

Hypertension	61
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	23
Depression	20
Chronic Kidney Disease	21
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	7
Heart Failure	9
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	20
Dementia	0
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Chapel Hill, NC during 2021 were eye procedures, laser treatment, capsulotomy and lacrimal (tearing system) procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	63
doctor visit	92
eye procedures	613
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures	24
laser treatment	90

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD.

**Gender**
Male	87
Female	109

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	176
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	126
From 75 to 84	53
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD in 2021

Hypertension	54
High Cholesterol	54
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	24
Depression	21
Chronic Kidney Disease	26
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	8
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	6
Diabetes	21
Dementia	0
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Chapel Hill, NC during 2022 were eye procedures, laser treatment and capsulotomy.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	64
doctor visit	203
eye procedures	493
laser treatment	79

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD.

**Gender**
Male	71
Female	113

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	172
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	102
From 75 to 84	66
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD in 2022

Hypertension	61
High Cholesterol	71
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	18
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	18
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	8
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	17
Dementia	0
Cancer	17

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Chapel Hill, NC were eye procedures, laser treatment, capsulotomy and lacrimal (tearing system) procedures.

capsulotomy	47
doctor visit	161
eye procedures	476
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures	27
laser treatment	57

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD.

**Gender**
Male	84
Female	124

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	2
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	184
Hispanic	0
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	58
85 and over	4
Less than 65	4
65 to 74	128

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD From 2012 - 2022

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

Hypertension	55
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	22
Depression	18
Chronic Kidney Disease	18
Asthma	7
Osteoporosis	6
Heart Failure	8
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	19
Atrial Fibrillation	6
Cancer	10
Dementia	0

Education & Training

Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD graduated from University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in 1986. He completed residency at Tulane University Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the Ophthalmology, Board Certified and has a state license in North Carolina.

Medical School: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine (1986)

Residency: Tulane University Affiliated Hospitals (1990)

Board Certification: Ophthalmology, Board Certified (2022)

Licensed In: North Carolina

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

UNC Health

UNC Hospitals

PIEDMONT EYE SURGICAL AND LASER PLLC

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. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: WellCare, AmeriHealth Caritas, Aetna, Humana, Cigna, BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina (BCBSNC), MedCost, UnitedHealthcare, Carolina Complete Health, Liberty Advantage, Contigo Health, Veterans Affairs, Medicare Advantage, United Healthcare, Medicaid, CHAMPVA, OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions (United Behavioral Health), Centene, Group Health Plan (GHP), HealthTeam Advantage, MedCost PPO, FirstCarolinaCare Insurance Company Group Health Plans, North Carolina State Health Plan, Atlantic (Packaging) Corporation, Inc. (administered by Lucent Health), BCBSNC Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance (Blue Home with Novant Health is out of network), FirstCarolinaCare FirstMedicare Direct, Contigo Health Plan (WakeMed employees only) (out-of-network beginning January 1, 2026), Aetna Premier Care Network Plus (APCN+) (Tier 2), BCBSNC Group Health Plans (except for Blue High Performance Network (BlueHPN)), Aetna Whole Health (Tier 2), Meritain Health, an Aetna Company, Longevity Health Plan I-SNP and Veterans Affairs Community Care Network.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

WellCare

AmeriHealth Caritas

Aetna

Humana

Cigna

BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina (BCBSNC)

MedCost

UnitedHealthcare

Carolina Complete Health

Liberty Advantage

Contigo Health

Veterans Affairs

Medicare Advantage

United Healthcare

Medicaid

CHAMPVA

OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions (United Behavioral Health)

Centene

Group Health Plan (GHP)

HealthTeam Advantage

MedCost PPO

FirstCarolinaCare Insurance Company Group Health Plans

North Carolina State Health Plan

Atlantic (Packaging) Corporation, Inc. (administered by Lucent Health)

BCBSNC Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance (Blue Home with Novant Health is out of network)

FirstCarolinaCare FirstMedicare Direct

Contigo Health Plan (WakeMed employees only) (out-of-network beginning January 1, 2026)

Aetna Premier Care Network Plus (APCN+) (Tier 2)

BCBSNC Group Health Plans (except for Blue High Performance Network (BlueHPN))

Aetna Whole Health (Tier 2)

Meritain Health, an Aetna Company

Longevity Health Plan I-SNP

Veterans Affairs Community Care Network

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General Payments

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

**Payments by Company**
Allergan Inc.	$269,951 RESTASIS $198,013	LUMIGAN $10,084	COMBIGAN $56	ACZONE $20	BOTOX COSMETIC $7	Other $61,771
Allergan, Inc.	$96,104 VUITY $63,993	RESTASIS $3,718	RESTASIS MULTIDOSE $2,243	DURYSTA $49	LUMIGAN $29	Other $26,072
Alcon Laboratories Inc	$67,426 Wavelight $31,432	CataractEquipment $5,762	IOL $3,900	RefractiveEquipment $914	Refractive Equipment $382	Other $25,036
Ellex, Inc	$50,525 UltraQ-R Nd: YAG Laser with Reflex Technology $20,208	Tango-R SLT/YAG Combination Laser with Reflex Technology $2,585	UltraQ-R Reflex YAG Laser $33	$27,699
Shire North American Group Inc	$50,237 XIIDRA $31,960	VYVANSE $13	$18,265
Other	$349,668 VUITY $36,614	PROLENSA $35,423	Wavelight $30,904	LOTEMAX GEL $19,505	Omidria $14,996	Other $212,225

**Types of Payments**
Consulting Fee	$330,079
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$282,164
Travel and Lodging	$74,658
Honoraria	$68,199
Compensation for serving as faculty or as a speaker for a non-accredited and noncertified continuing education program	$54,900
Other	$73,912

Research Payments

Dr. Karl Gene Stonecipher, MD has received 46 research payments totaling $60,102.

Biography

Dr. Karl Stonecipher's medical specialty is general practice and ophthalmology (eye disease). Dr. Stonecipher is affiliated with UNC Hospitals. UnitedHealthcare, Blue California, and Coventry appears to be the insurance carriers that Dr. Stonecipher takes. UNC Health reports that he is accepting new patients at his office in Chapel Hill, NC. He studied medicine at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. For his residency, Dr. Stonecipher trained at a hospital affiliated with Tulane University.