Dr. Stephen Tower, M.D.
Contact & Location
907-771-3500
Anchorage, AK 99503
Dr. Tower performs more knee replacement procedures than 30% of orthopedic surgeons in Alaska, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #16 of 23 ranked knee surgeons in Alaska.
About Dr. Tower
Practice. Dr. Stephen Tower is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Anchorage, Alaska. The latest annual CMS data records 19 knee replacements. That is #16 in Alaska for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 11 years. Volume peaked at 42 in 2018 and stands at 19 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 19 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 19 | 15 |
| 2015 | 15 | 13 |
| 2016 | 17 | 0 |
| 2017 | 14 | 13 |
| 2018 | 22 | 20 |
| 2019 | 20 | 12 |
| 2020 | 22 | 0 |
| 2021 | 21 | 0 |
| 2022 | 17 | 20 |
| 2023 | 17 | 12 |
| 2024 | 0 | 19 |
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 23% to 28% for knee 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. Tower Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Alaska state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Tower's recorded volume peaked at 42 procedures in 2018 and stood at 19 in the most recent data. Year-to-year variation can reflect changes in payer mix, practice scope, or Medicare billing patterns.
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 Knee Replacement
If you are considering knee replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
An overview of current surgical approaches including robotic-assisted and minimally invasive techniques, implant options, and expected outcomes.
What to Expect on the Day of SurgeryA step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
Home Safety: Creating Your Recovery SanctuaryRoom-by-room modifications, equipment recommendations, and fall-prevention strategies to prepare your home for a safe post-surgical recovery.
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.
Knee Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after knee replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full knee replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Tower
How does Dr. Tower's procedure volume compare to other Alaska surgeons?
Dr. Tower has performed 19 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. Tower ranks #23 out of 27 orthopedic surgeons in Alaska.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Tower perform?
Dr. Tower's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 19 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Tower with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Tower ranks #16 in Alaska for knee replacement with 19 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 27 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Tower 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. Tower 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 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Tower's total volume across all insurers at roughly 70 to 80 procedures against the 19 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. Tower's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Tower's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 42 procedures in 2018 and was 19 in the most recent data. Volume fluctuations can reflect changes in payer mix, practice focus, or Medicare reporting rather than a change in overall surgical activity.
Which hospitals is Dr. Tower affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Tower is affiliated with Providence Alaska Medical Center, Alaska Regional Hospital, South Peninsula Hospital.
How does Dr. Tower compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Anchorage?
Among the 18 orthopedic surgeons in Anchorage, Dr. Tower ranks #16 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. Tower 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); South Peninsula Hospital (insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Anchorage, Alaska
Dr. Tower's 19 Medicare procedures are below the Anchorage average of 137. 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.