Dr. Owen Ala, M.D.
Contact & Location
907-562-2277
Anchorage, AK 99508
Soldotna, AK 99669
Dr. Ala performs more joint replacement procedures than 33% of orthopedic surgeons in Alaska, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #18 of 27 orthopedic surgeons in Alaska.
About Dr. Ala
Practice. Dr. Owen Ala is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Anchorage, Alaska. The latest annual CMS data records 36 shoulder replacements. That is #3 in Alaska for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2008.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2022 to 2024, 3 years. Volume rose from 13 procedures a year to 36, up 177%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 36 procedures is above 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 | 13 |
| 2023 | 21 |
| 2024 | 36 |
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. Ala Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Alaska state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Ala's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 3 years, increasing 177% from 13 procedures in 2022 to 36 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. Ala
How does Dr. Ala's procedure volume compare to other Alaska surgeons?
Dr. Ala has performed 36 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. Ala ranks #18 out of 27 orthopedic surgeons in Alaska.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Ala perform?
Dr. Ala's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 36 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Ala with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Ala ranks #3 in Alaska for shoulder replacement with 36 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 27 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Ala 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. Ala 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. Ala's total volume across all insurers at roughly 100 to 120 procedures against the 36 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. Ala's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Ala's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 13 procedures in 2022 to 36 in the most recent data, a 177% increase over 3 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 36 procedures in 2024.
Which hospitals is Dr. Ala affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Ala is affiliated with Central Peninsula General Hospital, Providence Alaska Medical Center, Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, Alaska Regional Hospital, Providence Seward Medical Center.
How does Dr. Ala compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Anchorage?
Among the 18 orthopedic surgeons in Anchorage, Dr. Ala ranks #12 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. Ala practices?
Central Peninsula General Hospital (1 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Providence Alaska Medical Center (3 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. Ala's 36 Medicare procedures are below the Anchorage average of 139. 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.