Dr. Matthew Pifer, MD
Contact & Location
805-967-9311
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
Dr. Pifer performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 57% of orthopedic surgeons in California, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #59 of 139 ranked shoulder surgeons in California.
About Dr. Pifer
Dr. Matthew Pifer is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Santa Barbara, California. A Medicare provider since 2008, Dr. Pifer performed 26 Medicare-verified shoulder replacements in the latest annual CMS data, ranking #59 in California.
In California, Dr. Pifer performs near the state average in shoulder (26 vs 31).
Dr. Pifer's Medicare data shows a focused shoulder replacement practice with 26 verified procedures. Surgeons who concentrate on a single procedure type often develop deep procedural expertise, though total practice volume may include additional procedures not captured in Medicare fee-for-service data.
Santa Barbara is home to 13 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Santa Barbara area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Pifer extend back to 2020, covering 5 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 13 to 26 in the most recent data, a 100% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Pifer's 26 verified procedures is near the national average of 29.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2023 | 19 |
| 2024 | 26 |
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. Pifer Compares
Procedure volume compared to the California state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Pifer's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 5 years, increasing 100% from 13 procedures in 2020 to 26 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:
A 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.
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. Pifer
How does Dr. Pifer's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Pifer has performed 26 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. Pifer ranks #422 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Pifer perform?
Dr. Pifer's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 26 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Pifer in Santa Barbara?
Yes. There are 13 orthopedic surgeons in Santa Barbara 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. Pifer 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. Pifer's total volume across all insurers at roughly 70 to 90 procedures against the 26 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. Pifer's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Pifer's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 13 procedures in 2020 to 26 in the most recent data, a 100% increase over 5 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 26 procedures in 2024.
Which hospitals is Dr. Pifer affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Pifer is affiliated with Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital.
How does Dr. Pifer compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Santa Barbara?
Among the 13 orthopedic surgeons in Santa Barbara, Dr. Pifer ranks #10 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Santa Barbara has 226 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Pifer practices?
Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Santa Barbara, California
Dr. Pifer's 26 Medicare procedures are below the Santa Barbara average of 135. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Santa Barbara.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Bryan Emmerson | 226 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. William Gallivan | 208 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Birch | 176 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Graham Hurvitz | 164 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. James Zmolek | 83 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Daniel Craviotto | 61 | 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.