Dr. Jonathan Tobey, MD
Contact & Location
479-709-7000
Fort Smith, AR 72901
Dr. Tobey performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 6% of orthopedic surgeons in Arkansas, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #31 of 33 ranked shoulder surgeons in Arkansas.
About Dr. Tobey
Dr. Jonathan Tobey is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Fort Smith, Arkansas. A Medicare provider since 2015, Dr. Tobey performed 12 Medicare-verified shoulder replacements in the latest annual CMS data, ranking #31 in Arkansas.
In Arkansas, Dr. Tobey performs below the state average in shoulder (12 vs 23).
Dr. Tobey's Medicare data shows a focused shoulder replacement practice with 12 verified procedures. Surgeons who concentrate on a single procedure type often develop deep procedural expertise, though total practice volume may include additional procedures not captured in Medicare fee-for-service data.
Fort Smith is home to 7 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Fort Smith area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs. Dr. Tobey also maintains hospital privileges in AR and OK, indicating a regional practice that extends beyond Arkansas.
Dr. Tobey first appears in the Medicare dataset in 2023. With 2 years of recorded data, the longitudinal trend is still developing.
Dr. Tobey's 12 shoulder replacement procedures is below the national average of 29 among 2,217 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Case Volume
Verified Medicare data is available for 2 years: 11 procedures in 2023 and 12 procedures in the most recent reporting year. A multi-year trend chart is shown once at least 3 years of data are available.
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. Tobey Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Arkansas state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Tobey has 2 years of Medicare procedure data beginning in 2023. Additional years of data will provide a clearer picture of volume trends.
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:
Evidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week ExpectationsA detailed week-by-week guide covering pain levels, mobility milestones, physical therapy progression, and when to expect a return to daily activities.
Medicare Bundled Payment Programs for Joint ReplacementHow bundled payment models affect your joint replacement costs and care coordination, and what it means for hospital and surgeon selection.
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. Tobey
How does Dr. Tobey's procedure volume compare to other Arkansas surgeons?
Dr. Tobey has performed 12 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Arkansas average is 66 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Tobey ranks #86 out of 89 orthopedic surgeons in Arkansas.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Tobey perform?
Dr. Tobey's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 12 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Tobey in Fort Smith?
Yes. There are 7 orthopedic surgeons in Fort Smith 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 Arkansas surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Tobey 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. Tobey's total volume across all insurers at roughly 30 to 40 procedures against the 12 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.
Which hospitals is Dr. Tobey affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Tobey is affiliated with Baptist Health - Fort Smith, Baptist Health - Van Buren, Northeastern Health System Sequoyah. Dr. Tobey maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Tobey compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Fort Smith?
Among the 7 orthopedic surgeons in Fort Smith, Dr. Tobey ranks #7 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Fort Smith has 130 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Tobey practices?
Baptist Health - Fort Smith (2 out of 5 CMS stars, 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 Fort Smith, Arkansas
Dr. Tobey's 12 Medicare procedures are below the Fort Smith average of 53. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Fort Smith.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Jody Bradshaw | 130 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Greg Jones | 69 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Steven Smith | 57 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Timothy Garlow | 56 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Sudbrink | 25 | Knee |
| Dr. John Harp | 21 | 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.