Dr. Samuel Harmsen, M.D.
Contact & Location
602-512-8558
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Dr. Harmsen performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 80% of orthopedic surgeons in Arizona, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #12 of 62 ranked shoulder surgeons in Arizona.
About Dr. Harmsen
Practice. Dr. Samuel Harmsen is an orthopedic surgeon practicing in Phoenix, Arizona. The latest annual CMS data records 40 shoulder replacements. That is #12 in Arizona for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2009.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 11 years. Volume rose from 19 procedures a year to 40, up 111%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 40 procedures is above the national average of 29.
Local context. Phoenix has 51 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 | 19 |
| 2015 | 29 |
| 2016 | 29 |
| 2017 | 46 |
| 2018 | 52 |
| 2019 | 65 |
| 2020 | 50 |
| 2021 | 36 |
| 2022 | 46 |
| 2023 | 55 |
| 2024 | 40 |
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. Harmsen Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Arizona state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Harmsen's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 11 years, increasing 111% from 19 procedures in 2014 to 40 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:
Evidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
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 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. Harmsen
How does Dr. Harmsen's procedure volume compare to other Arizona surgeons?
Dr. Harmsen has performed 40 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Arizona average is 72 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Harmsen ranks #115 out of 191 orthopedic surgeons in Arizona.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Harmsen perform?
Dr. Harmsen's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 40 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Harmsen with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Harmsen ranks #12 in Arizona for shoulder replacement with 40 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 191 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Harmsen in Phoenix?
Yes. There are 51 orthopedic surgeons in Phoenix 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 Arizona surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Harmsen 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. Harmsen's total volume across all insurers at roughly 110 to 140 procedures against the 40 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. Harmsen's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Harmsen's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 19 procedures in 2014 to 40 in the most recent data, a 111% increase over 11 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 65 procedures in 2019.
Which hospitals is Dr. Harmsen affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Harmsen is affiliated with Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix, Arizona Specialty Hospital.
How does Dr. Harmsen compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Phoenix?
Among the 51 orthopedic surgeons in Phoenix, Dr. Harmsen ranks #30 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Phoenix has 234 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Harmsen practices?
Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Arizona Specialty Hospital (hip/knee complication rate above national average). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Phoenix, Arizona
Dr. Harmsen's 40 Medicare procedures are below the Phoenix average of 140. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Phoenix.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Steven Werner | 234 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christina Khoury | 152 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Steven Hattrup | 147 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Michael Wilmink | 144 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kenneth Schmidt | 135 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Lige Kaplan | 128 | 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.