Some 11,000 doctors in Alabama received $1.5 billion in 2012 from Medicare Part B.
That's just a slice of the national picture where 825,000 doctors were paid $77 billion, according to data released today from the Centers for Medicare And Medicaid Service.
The money doesn't include private insurance payments or cash-paying customers.
And it also doesn't include expenses where the doctor's money may wind up paying staff, equipment, drug companies and other overhead.
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In Alabama, there were 101 doctors who were reimbursed more than $1 million in 2012.
Nationally, a Florida ophthalmologist, who is under scrutiny for his billing, topped the payment mark at $21 million.
In Alabama, the top Medicare reimbursement in 2012 was $4.8 million to a Huntsville hematologist.
Critics say the numbers lack context and may be confusing. Consumer groups praise the release as adding transparency to a confusing health care system.
[ MORE: 9 cautions to interpreting Medicare payments to doctors, from AMA ]
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Alex Walsh contributed to this report.