Dr. Alejandro Cortes, M.D.
Contact & Location
800-926-8273
La Jolla, CA 92093
San Francisco, CA 94117
La Jolla, CA 92037
San Diego, CA 92103
Dr. Cortes performs more hip replacement procedures than 58% of orthopedic surgeons in California, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #143 of 348 ranked hip surgeons in California.
About Dr. Cortes
Practice. Dr. Alejandro Cortes is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in La Jolla, California. The latest annual CMS data records 33 hip replacements and 28 knee replacements, 61 procedures in all. That is #143 in California for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2019.
Trend. Dr. Cortes first appears in the Medicare data in 2024. With 1 year on record, the trend is still short.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 33 procedures is near the national average of 36.
Local context. La Jolla has 15 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist.
Verified Case Volume
Verified Medicare data is available for 1 year: 61 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 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. Cortes Compares
Procedure volume compared to the California state average.
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 Hip Replacement
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Understanding the progression from conservative treatments to surgical intervention, and how to determine when hip replacement becomes the right choice.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Joint ReplacementA practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
Outpatient Joint Replacement: A Medicare GuideHow outpatient joint replacement works under Medicare, including eligibility criteria, cost differences, and what to expect with same-day discharge.
Hip Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full hip replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Cortes
How does Dr. Cortes's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Cortes has performed 61 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the California average of 68 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Cortes ranks #229 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Cortes perform?
Dr. Cortes's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (33 cases) and knee replacement (28 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Cortes in La Jolla?
Yes. There are 15 orthopedic surgeons in La Jolla 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 California surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Cortes 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Cortes's total volume across all insurers at roughly 200 to 250 procedures against the 61 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.
Does Dr. Cortes perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Cortes's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (33 cases), knee replacement (28 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Cortes affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Cortes is affiliated with Mercy Hospital Of Folsom, Uc San Diego Health Hillcrest - Hillcrest Med Ctr, Sutter Roseville Medical Center.
How does Dr. Cortes compare to other orthopedic surgeons in La Jolla?
Among the 15 orthopedic surgeons in La Jolla, Dr. Cortes ranks #13 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in La Jolla has 232 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Cortes practices?
Mercy Hospital Of Folsom (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Uc San Diego Health Hillcrest - Hillcrest Med Ctr (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Sutter Roseville Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, 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 La Jolla, California
Dr. Cortes's 61 Medicare procedures are below the La Jolla average of 154. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in La Jolla.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. William Bugbee | 232 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Steven Copp | 211 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jeffrey Wilde | 170 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Anna Kulidjian | 158 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Matthew Weber | 136 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kace Ezzet | 108 | 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.