Dr. Daniel Cepela
Contact & Location
907-563-3145
Anchorage, AK 99508
Carson City, NV 89705
Dr. Cepela performs more joint replacement procedures than 22% of orthopedic surgeons in Alaska, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #21 of 27 orthopedic surgeons in Alaska.
About Dr. Cepela
Practice. Dr. Daniel Cepela is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Anchorage, Alaska. The latest annual CMS data records 26 shoulder replacements. That is #4 in Alaska for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2012.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2022 to 2024, 3 years. Volume rose from 11 procedures a year to 26, up 136%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 26 procedures is near the national average of 29.
Local context. Anchorage has 18 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 24 |
| 2024 | 26 |
Verified Medicare Cases
How is this estimated?
Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims are one payer stream among several, and the share they represent differs by procedure. In 2024 it was 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement. Each verified count above is divided by its own procedure's range, and the results are added, to estimate total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count is the definitive, audited figure; this is a range derived from published national volume projections, not a measurement, and an individual practice can sit well outside it: how these ranges are derived, and their sources.
How Dr. Cepela Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Alaska state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Cepela's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 3 years, increasing 136% from 11 procedures in 2022 to 26 in the most recent data.
Hospital Affiliations & Quality
Quality ratings and complication rates are hospital-level metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon performance. Star ratings updated quarterly. Complication data covers a rolling 3-year period.
Patient Resources: Preparing for Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
A step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
Rehabilitation Roadmap: Your Complete Recovery GuideA structured physical therapy progression from the first post-op exercises through full strength and mobility restoration over 3 to 6 months.
Medicare Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full shoulder replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Cepela
How does Dr. Cepela's procedure volume compare to other Alaska surgeons?
Dr. Cepela has performed 26 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Alaska average is 67 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Cepela ranks #21 out of 27 orthopedic surgeons in Alaska.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Cepela perform?
Dr. Cepela's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 26 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Cepela with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Cepela ranks #4 in Alaska for shoulder replacement with 26 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 27 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Cepela in Anchorage?
Yes. There are 18 orthopedic surgeons in Anchorage in the current Medicare dataset. Patients can compare procedure volumes and specializations to choose the surgeon who best fits their needs. Use the state page to view all Alaska surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Cepela represent?
The procedure counts shown are based on 2024 Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Medicare fee-for-service is only one payer stream, and the share of national volume it represents differs by procedure. In 2024 the share was 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Cepela's total volume across all insurers at roughly 70 to 90 procedures against the 26 verified here. Those shares are derived from published national volume projections rather than quoted from a single publication, and they are estimates with real uncertainty. The OrthoProcedures methodology page shows the full derivation, the sources, and the limits at orthoprocedures.com/data-methodology.html.
Has Dr. Cepela's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Cepela's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 11 procedures in 2022 to 26 in the most recent data, a 136% increase over 3 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 26 procedures in 2024.
Which hospitals is Dr. Cepela affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Cepela is affiliated with Providence Alaska Medical Center, Alaska Regional Hospital, Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, Central Peninsula General Hospital.
How does Dr. Cepela compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Anchorage?
Among the 18 orthopedic surgeons in Anchorage, Dr. Cepela ranks #14 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Anchorage has 229 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Cepela practices?
Providence Alaska Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Alaska Regional Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Fairbanks Memorial Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Anchorage, Alaska
Dr. Cepela's 26 Medicare procedures are below the Anchorage average of 138. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Anchorage.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Bryan Haughom | 229 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Bradley Sparks | 213 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Douglas Prevost | 165 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Thomas Paynter | 140 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Tucker Drury | 104 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Ian Brimhall | 89 | Hip, Knee |
Patient Resources & Verification
Research reviews, verify credentials, and check official quality data through these trusted sources:
Medicare Care Compare and NPI Registry are official U.S. government sources. Google reviews reflect user-submitted feedback. OrthoProcedures.com does not verify the accuracy of third-party review content.