Dr. John Belzer, M.D.
Contact & Location
415-592-2014
San Francisco, CA 94118
Dr. Belzer performs more knee replacement procedures than 70% of orthopedic surgeons in California, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #143 of 491 ranked knee surgeons in California.
About Dr. Belzer
Practice. Dr. John Belzer is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in San Francisco, California. The latest annual CMS data records 49 knee replacements and 39 shoulder replacements, 88 procedures in all. That is #143 in California for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 40 procedures a year to 88, up 120%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 49 procedures is near the national average of 45.
Local context. San Francisco has 23 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 | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 17 | 23 |
| 2014 | 26 | 28 |
| 2015 | 27 | 15 |
| 2016 | 27 | 17 |
| 2017 | 21 | 26 |
| 2018 | 28 | 33 |
| 2019 | 24 | 26 |
| 2020 | 16 | 26 |
| 2021 | 25 | 23 |
| 2022 | 35 | 27 |
| 2023 | 31 | 28 |
| 2024 | 49 | 39 |
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, 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. Belzer Compares
Procedure volume compared to the California state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Belzer's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 120% from 40 procedures in 2013 to 88 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 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.
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 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. Belzer
How does Dr. Belzer's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Belzer has performed 88 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the California average of 68 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Belzer ranks #137 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Belzer perform?
Dr. Belzer's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (49 cases) and shoulder replacement (39 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Belzer in San Francisco?
Yes. There are 23 orthopedic surgeons in San Francisco 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. Belzer 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, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Belzer's total volume across all insurers at roughly 280 to 350 procedures against the 88 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. Belzer's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Belzer's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 40 procedures in 2013 to 88 in the most recent data, a 120% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 88 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Belzer perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Belzer's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (49 cases), shoulder replacement (39 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Belzer affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Belzer is affiliated with Novato Community Hospital, California Pacific Medical Center - Mission Bernal, California Pacific Medical Center- Van Ness Campus, California Pacific Medical Ctr-Davies Campus Hosp, Marinhealth Medical Center.
How does Dr. Belzer compare to other orthopedic surgeons in San Francisco?
Among the 23 orthopedic surgeons in San Francisco, Dr. Belzer ranks #6 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in San Francisco has 201 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Belzer practices?
Novato Community Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); California Pacific Medical Center - Mission Bernal (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); California Pacific Medical Center- Van Ness Campus (3 out of 5 CMS stars). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in San Francisco, California
Dr. Belzer's 88 Medicare procedures are below the San Francisco average of 137. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in San Francisco.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Jeffrey Barry | 201 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Derek Ward | 190 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Peter Callander | 177 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Erik Hansen | 133 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Cox | 95 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Heather Roberts | 74 | 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.