Dr. Kandice Beenken, D.O.
Contact & Location
858-278-8031
San Diego, CA 92111
Las Vegas, NV 89121
Dr. Beenken performs more knee replacement procedures than 14% of orthopedic surgeons in California, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #420 of 491 ranked knee surgeons in California.
About Dr. Beenken
Practice. Dr. Kandice Beenken is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in San Diego, California. The latest annual CMS data records 15 knee replacements and 12 hip replacements, 27 procedures in all. That is #420 in California for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2011.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2016 to 2024, 7 years. Volume rose from 13 procedures a year to 27, up 108%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 15 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. San Diego has 31 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Beenken also holds hospital privileges in MN and WI, a practice that extends beyond California.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 13 | 0 |
| 2017 | 11 | 13 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 12 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 15 |
| 2022 | 14 | 16 |
| 2023 | 17 | 0 |
| 2024 | 12 | 15 |
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, 25% to 33% for hip 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. Beenken Compares
Procedure volume compared to the California state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Beenken's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 7 years, increasing 108% from 13 procedures in 2016 to 27 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Beenken
How does Dr. Beenken's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Beenken has performed 27 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The California average is 68 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Beenken ranks #409 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Beenken perform?
Dr. Beenken's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (15 cases) and hip replacement (12 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Beenken in San Diego?
Yes. There are 31 orthopedic surgeons in San Diego 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. Beenken 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, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Beenken's total volume across all insurers at roughly 90 to 110 procedures against the 27 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. Beenken's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Beenken's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 13 procedures in 2016 to 27 in the most recent data, a 108% increase over 7 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 30 procedures in 2022.
Does Dr. Beenken perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Beenken's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (15 cases), hip replacement (12 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Beenken affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Beenken is affiliated with Essentia Health Duluth, Essentia Health St Mary'S Medical Center, Essentia Health St Mary'S Hospital - Superior, Essentia Health Virginia, Essentia Health Moose Lake. Dr. Beenken maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Beenken compare to other orthopedic surgeons in San Diego?
Among the 31 orthopedic surgeons in San Diego, Dr. Beenken ranks #20 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in San Diego has 253 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Beenken practices?
Essentia Health Duluth (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Essentia Health St Mary'S Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Essentia Health St Mary'S Hospital - Superior (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 San Diego, California
Dr. Beenken's 27 Medicare procedures are below the San Diego average of 114. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in San Diego.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Scott Ball | 253 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Francis Gonzales | 155 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Ameer Elbuluk | 97 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Thomas Nguyen | 93 | Knee |
| Dr. Daljeet Sagoo | 88 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Fabi | 87 | 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.