Dr. Mario Sablan, D.O.
Contact & Location
209-349-8429
Merced, CA 95340
Dr. Sablan performs more knee replacement procedures than 89% of orthopedic surgeons in California, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #50 of 491 ranked knee surgeons in California.
About Dr. Sablan
Dr. Mario Sablan is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Merced, California. A Medicare provider since 2007, Dr. Sablan completed 100 knee replacements (#50 in California), 28 hip replacements, and 16 shoulder replacements in the latest annual CMS data, totaling 144 Medicare-verified procedures.
In California, Dr. Sablan performs well above the state average in knee (100 vs 47), below the state average in hip (28 vs 41), below the state average in shoulder (16 vs 31).
Dr. Sablan performs all three major joint replacement procedures (hip, knee, and shoulder), indicating a broad scope of orthopedic practice. The largest share is knee replacements (100 cases), followed by hip replacements (28) and shoulder replacements (16).
Beyond general orthopedic surgery, Dr. Sablan holds additional credentials in Orthopaedic Trauma, reflecting subspecialty training that may benefit patients with complex joint conditions.
Merced is home to 2 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Merced area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Sablan extend back to 2013, covering 12 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 93 to 144 in the most recent data, a 55% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Sablan's 100 verified procedures is more than 2x the national average of 45.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 21 | 72 | 0 |
| 2014 | 27 | 88 | 0 |
| 2015 | 16 | 78 | 18 |
| 2016 | 30 | 79 | 27 |
| 2017 | 27 | 73 | 29 |
| 2018 | 31 | 110 | 21 |
| 2019 | 28 | 99 | 24 |
| 2020 | 20 | 68 | 13 |
| 2021 | 33 | 86 | 12 |
| 2022 | 30 | 90 | 13 |
| 2023 | 30 | 96 | 14 |
| 2024 | 28 | 100 | 16 |
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, 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. Sablan Compares
Procedure volume compared to the California state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Sablan's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 55% from 93 procedures in 2013 to 144 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.
Home Safety: Creating Your Recovery SanctuaryRoom-by-room modifications, equipment recommendations, and fall-prevention strategies to prepare your home for a safe post-surgical recovery.
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. Sablan
How does Dr. Sablan's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Sablan has performed 144 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the California average of 68 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Sablan ranks #75 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Sablan perform?
Dr. Sablan performs all three major joint replacement procedures: knee replacement (100 cases), hip replacement (28 cases), shoulder replacement (16 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Sablan in Merced?
Yes. There are 2 orthopedic surgeons in Merced 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. Sablan 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, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Sablan's total volume across all insurers at roughly 490 to 600 procedures against the 144 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. Sablan's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Sablan's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 93 procedures in 2013 to 144 in the most recent data, a 55% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 162 procedures in 2018.
Does Dr. Sablan perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Sablan's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (100 cases), hip replacement (28 cases), shoulder replacement (16 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Sablan among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Sablan affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Sablan is affiliated with Mercy Medical Center, Memorial Hospital Los Banos.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Sablan practices?
Mercy Medical Center (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Memorial Hospital Los Banos (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 Merced, California
Dr. Sablan's 144 Medicare procedures are above the Merced average of 80. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Merced.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Naseem Beauchman | 16 | 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.