Dr. Umesh Bhagia, MD
Contact & Location
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Dr. Umesh Bhagia is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Santa Monica, California. A Medicare provider since 2005, Dr. Bhagia has completed 94 knee replacements (#58 in California), 50 hip replacements, and 12 shoulder replacements, totaling 156 Medicare-verified procedures.
In California, Dr. Bhagia performs well above average in knee (94 vs 47 avg), above average in hip (50 vs 41 avg), below average in shoulder (12 vs 31 avg).
Dr. Bhagia performs all three major joint replacement procedures — hip, knee, and shoulder — indicating a broad scope of orthopedic practice. The largest share is knee replacements (94 cases), followed by hip replacements (50) and shoulder replacements (12).
Santa Monica is home to 11 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Santa Monica area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Bhagia extend back to 2013, covering 12 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 90 to 156 in the most recent data, a 73% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 6,599 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Bhagia's 94 verified procedures is more than 2x the national average of 45.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
Verified Medicare Cases
How is this estimated?
Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims represent approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally (source: CMS data, AJRR). This range estimates the surgeon's total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count above is the definitive, audited figure.
How Dr. Bhagia Compares
Procedure volume compared to the California state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Bhagia's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 73% from 90 procedures in 2013 to 156 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. Bhagia
How does Dr. Bhagia's procedure volume compare to other California surgeons?
Dr. Bhagia has performed 156 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the California average of 68 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Bhagia ranks #65 out of 613 orthopedic surgeons in California.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Bhagia perform?
Dr. Bhagia performs all three major joint replacement procedures: knee replacement (94 cases), hip replacement (50 cases), shoulder replacement (12 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Bhagia in Santa Monica?
Yes. There are 11 orthopedic surgeons in Santa Monica 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. Bhagia represent?
The procedure counts shown are based on the most recent Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This captures approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally. Dr. Bhagia's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 156 procedures shown here.
Has Dr. Bhagia's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Bhagia's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 90 procedures in 2013 to 156 in the most recent data, a 73% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 190 procedures in 2019.
Does Dr. Bhagia perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Bhagia's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (94 cases), hip replacement (50 cases), shoulder replacement (12 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Bhagia among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Bhagia affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Bhagia is affiliated with Ucla West Valley Medical Center, Santa Monica - Ucla Med Ctr & Orthopaedic Hospital, Ronald Reagan Ucla Medical Center.
How does Dr. Bhagia compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Santa Monica?
Among the 11 orthopedic surgeons in Santa Monica, Dr. Bhagia ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Bhagia is among the highest-volume surgeons in Santa Monica.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Bhagia practices?
Ucla West Valley Medical Center (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Santa Monica - Ucla Med Ctr & Orthopaedic Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Ronald Reagan Ucla Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, 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 Santa Monica, California
Dr. Bhagia's 156 Medicare procedures are above the Santa Monica average of 88. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Santa Monica.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Jeffrey Zarin | 173 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Gerhardt | 105 | Hip |
| Dr. Alexandra Stavrakis | 69 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kevin Ehrhart | 46 | Knee |
| Dr. Ryan Bennett | 34 | Knee |
| Dr. Kevin Ilo | 33 | 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.