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Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD

(5 Ratings)

Specializes in: Wound Care and Family Medicine

Professional interests include: high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), hypertension (high blood pressure), wounds, and more.

2750 Aster Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601

(337) 480-8900

Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD is a wound care provider in Lake Charles, LA specializing in wound care and family medicine. Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD is affiliated with Lake Charles Memorial Health System, American Board of Family Medicine, LAKE CHARLES MEDICAL SERVICES FAMILY PRACTICE ASSOCIATES, LLC, Calcasieu Parish Medical Society, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Medical Student Association and Louisiana State Medical Society.

Office Locations

2750 Aster Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601

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Some issues Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD can help you with:

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung disease where the tissue and airways of the lungs become extremely sensitive to certain substances. When these substances are breathed in, the lungs become inflamed. The muscles around the airways tighten and squeeze the lungs, and passages within the lungs swell and tighten. The airways themselves produce mucus, which further clogs the tightened, swollen airways. A person having an asthma attack finds it very difficult to breathe, and a severe attack can even be fatal.

Asthma affects people of all ages, but people with asthma are most often diagnosed as children. Symptoms can include wheezing, a tight feeling in the chest, shortness of breath, and coughing. Some people have mild symptoms all the time, and some people have no symptoms at all, but everyone with asthma is susceptible to occasional severe attacks or flare-ups of symptoms when they are exposed to triggers. Triggers vary widely but can include:

Allergens (dust mites, pet fur, mold, pollen, grass)
Irritants (smoke, pollution, dust, chemicals)
Viral infections
Physical activity, especially outdoors
Certain medications or chemicals in foods (aspirin, sulfites)

Treatment for most asthma patients involves three steps. Patients learn what their asthma triggers are and avoid them. They take a daily control medication, usually an inhaled corticosteroid, to reduce inflammation in the lungs. Also, they have rescue medication with them at all times to take in case of a severe attack. These quick-acting inhaled medications relax the muscles around the airways and allow the lungs to open up for air.

There is no cure for asthma, but with treatment it should not interfere with daily life and activities.

Heart Problems

The heart is one of the most important organs in the body. This smooth muscle expands and contracts rhythmically an entire lifetime, pumping blood to the lungs and then to every other cell in the body. When heart problems occur, it becomes difficult for the body to get the nutrients and oxygen it needs via the blood. So while there are a variety of illnesses and disorders that affect the heart, most of them cause weakness, exhaustion and shortness of breath. The most common heart conditions include heart disease, angina, arrhythmia, and valve disorders.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. This includes coronary artery disease, heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and congenital heart disease. Some conditions, such as genetics, cannot be controlled. But there are many other things one can do to lower their risk for heart disease. Controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing or stopping smoking, exercising more and losing weight if needed, and eating a diet low in sodium can all protect the heart.

Angina is a squeezing type of chest pain that happens when the muscles around the heart don't get enough oxygen. It can be regular or infrequent. Usually, angina is caused by coronary heart disease. However, not all chest pain is angina. Chest pain can also be caused by a lung infection or panic attack, for example, so it is important to have any sudden pain checked.

Arrhythmia is the word for when the heart beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly with skipped beats. It can feel frightening, and depending on the type it can be dangerous, but in most cases arrhythmia is not serious and can be treated. It is very common, especially in older adults.

Heart valve problems can happen in any one of the the heart's four valves that keep blood flowing where it needs to go. Babies can be born with problems in their heart valves, or valves can be damaged by infections. The valves can stiffen and become less mobile, or they can stop closing properly and 'leak' when the heart beats. Valve problems can usually be repaired surgically.

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD in 2023

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

Top 5%

By Volume:

blood draw

flu shot

immunization

impacted ear wax removal

phlebotomy for lab tests

By Affordability:

blood draw

blood draw for lab tests

phlebotomy for lab tests

venipuncture

In 2023, among providers in related specialties within Louisiana, Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD performed more blood draw, flu shot, immunization (preventive vaccines), impacted ear wax removal, and phlebotomy for lab tests procedures for Medicare patients than 95% of them and he also had a list price for blood draw, blood draw for lab tests, phlebotomy for lab tests, and venipuncture (phlebotomy) that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 95% 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.

Top 10%

By Affordability:

hospital care

inpatient care

inpatient hospital care

In 2023, Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD had a list price for hospital care, inpatient care, and inpatient hospital care (for patient admitted to hospital) that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 90% of providers in related specialties within Louisiana. 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

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD treated as a wound care provider in Lake Charles, LA during 2017 were blood draw, hospital care, inpatient care and debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD for Medicare patients.

blood draw	162
debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue)	44
doctor visit	331
hospital care	56
inpatient care	56
preventive care	11
thoracic (chest) imaging	17
vaccines	11
X-rays	17

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD.

**Gender**
Male	95
Female	122

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	0
Black	121
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	76
From 75 to 84	66
85 and over	23
Less than 65	52

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD in 2017

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD treated during 2017 were hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease and diabetes.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	34
Depression	22
Chronic Kidney Disease	38
Asthma	5
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	37
Dementia	14
Cancer	6

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD treated as a wound care provider in Lake Charles, LA during 2018 were blood draw, hospital care, inpatient care and debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	21
blood draw	384
debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue)	126
doctor visit	978
ear procedures	17
hospital care	194
injections	21
inpatient care	182
outpatient care	12
preventive care	13
vaccines	13

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD.

**Gender**
Male	148
Female	181

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

**Age**
From 65 to 74	123
From 75 to 84	103
85 and over	34
Less than 65	69

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD in 2018

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD treated during 2018 were hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease and diabetes.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	34
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	42
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	27
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	20
Diabetes	41
Dementia	18
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD treated as a wound care provider in Lake Charles, LA during 2019 were blood draw, debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue), chronic care and preventive care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	24
blood draw	513
chronic care	95
debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue)	131
doctor visit	921
excision	53
injections	24
musculoskeletal imaging	13
preventive care	55
spinal procedures	16
vaccines	55
X-rays	29

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD.

**Gender**
Male	128
Female	166

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	0
Black	188
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	120
From 75 to 84	66
85 and over	40
Less than 65	68

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD in 2019

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD treated during 2019 were hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease and diabetes.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	47
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	17
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	38
Dementia	16
Cancer	6

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD treated as a wound care provider in Lake Charles, LA during 2020 were blood draw, chronic care, debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue) and excision.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD for Medicare patients.

blood draw	357
chronic care	248
debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue)	134
doctor visit	673
excision	61
lab tests	28
preventive care	51
vaccines	51

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD.

**Gender**
Male	112
Female	145

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

**Age**
From 65 to 74	97
From 75 to 84	62
85 and over	34
Less than 65	64

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD in 2020

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD treated during 2020 were hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease and diabetes.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	30
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	44
Asthma	4
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	23
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	43
Dementia	14
Cancer	7

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD treated as a wound care provider in Lake Charles, LA during 2021 were blood draw, chronic care, debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue) and excision.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD for Medicare patients.

blood draw	382
chronic care	211
debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue)	206
doctor visit	721
excision	73
preventive care	18
vaccines	18

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD.

**Gender**
Male	91
Female	141

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	0
Black	156
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	95
From 75 to 84	64
85 and over	32
Less than 65	41

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD in 2021

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD treated during 2021 were hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease and diabetes.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	55
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	31
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	44
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	43
Dementia	12
Cancer	6

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD treated as a wound care provider in Lake Charles, LA during 2022 were blood draw, debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue), excision and aspiration.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	27
blood draw	495
debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue)	171
doctor visit	742
excision	82
injections	27
preventive care	24
vaccines	24

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD.

**Gender**
Male	111
Female	147

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	0
Black	163
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	112
From 75 to 84	62
85 and over	33
Less than 65	51

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD in 2022

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD treated during 2022 were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	71
Stroke	11
Ischemic Heart Disease	24
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	26
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	41
Dementia	9
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2023 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD treated as a wound care provider in Lake Charles, LA during 2023 were blood draw, debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue), excision and preventive care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration	17
blood draw	505
debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue)	122
doctor visit	732
ear procedures	11
excision	69
hospital care	19
injections	17
inpatient care	19
preventive care	56
vaccines	56

2023 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD.

**Gender**
Male	130
Female	155

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	0
Black	169
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	121
From 75 to 84	66
85 and over	36
Less than 65	62

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD in 2023

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD treated during 2023 were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	69
Stroke	11
Ischemic Heart Disease	25
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	18
Heart Failure	21
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	36
Dementia	8
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2017 - 2023

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD treated as a wound care provider in Lake Charles, LA were blood draw, chronic care, debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue) and hospital care.

aspiration	22
blood draw	399
chronic care	184
debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue)	133
doctor visit	728
ear procedures	14
excision	67
hospital care	89
injections	22
inpatient care	85
lab tests	28
musculoskeletal imaging	13
outpatient care	12
preventive care	32
spinal procedures	16
thoracic (chest) imaging	17
vaccines	32
X-rays	23

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2017 - 2023

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD.

**Gender**
Female	151
Male	116

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	163
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	0
Hispanic	0
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Other	0

**Age**
85 and over	33
75 to 84	69
Less than 65	58
65 to 74	106

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD From 2017 - 2023

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	20
Chronic Kidney Disease	37
Asthma	5
Osteoporosis	7
Heart Failure	20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	39
Atrial Fibrillation	11
Cancer	8
Dementia	13

Education & Training

He completed residency at Lake Charles Memorial/LSUHSC Family Medicine Residency Lake Charles, LA. He has a state license in Louisiana.

Residency: Lake Charles Memorial/LSUHSC Family Medicine Residency Lake Charles, LA

Licensed In: Louisiana

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Lake Charles Memorial Health System

American Board of Family Medicine

LAKE CHARLES MEDICAL SERVICES FAMILY PRACTICE ASSOCIATES, LLC

Calcasieu Parish Medical Society

American Academy of Family Physicians

American Medical Student Association

Louisiana State Medical Society

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. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Cigna, Aetna, Blue California, United Healthcare, Humana, IMA, Vantage Health Plan Inc., Other, Office of Group Benefits, Hmo Louisiana Inc., United Medical Resources, Louisiana Health Service & Indemnity Company, Meritain Health and Self Insured.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

Cigna

Aetna

Blue California

United Healthcare

Humana

IMA

Vantage Health Plan Inc.

Other

Office of Group Benefits

Hmo Louisiana Inc.

United Medical Resources

Louisiana Health Service & Indemnity Company

Meritain Health

Self Insured

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 5 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Donald Jerard Higgins, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Lake Charles, LA.

Overall Rating

(5 Ratings)

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General Payments

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

**Payments by Company**
AbbVie Inc.	$560 VRAYLAR $182	UBRELVY $168	QULIPTA $83	LINZESS $51	Creon $37	Other $39
Amgen Inc.	$461 Repatha $197	Otezla $125	Prolia $115	Aimovig $25
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP	$409 FARXIGA $315	SYMBICORT $94
Lilly USA, LLC	$256 TRULICITY $147	BASAGLAR $44	JARDIANCE $26	MOUNJARO $25	EMGALITY $14
Astellas Pharma US Inc	$239 Veozah $78	Myrbetriq $61	Vesicare $15	$85
Other	$2,908 Trintellix $158	ELIQUIS $158	Kerendia $156	GEMTESA $148	GLYXAMBI $141	Other $2,147

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$4,684
Education	$91
Gift	$59

Biography

Dr. Donald Higgins is a specialist in family medicine and wound care. The average patient rating for Dr. Higgins is 5.0 stars (out of 5). These areas are among Dr. Higgins's clinical interests: diabetes, common cold, and heart problems. He is professionally affiliated with Lake Charles Memorial Health System. He most likely takes Blue California, Cigna, and Aetna, as well as other insurance carriers.