Hip
Dr. Austin Chen, M.D.
Dr. Austin Chen is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Boulder, Colorado. A Medicare provider since 2010, Dr. Chen has performed 97 Medicare-verified hip replacements, ranking #5 in Colorado.
In Colorado, Dr. Chen performs well above average in hip (97 vs 38 avg).
Dr. Chen's Medicare data shows a focused hip replacement practice with 97 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.
Beyond general orthopedic surgery, Dr. Chen holds additional credentials in Sports Medicine, reflecting subspecialty training that may benefit patients with complex joint conditions.
Boulder is home to 10 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Boulder area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Chen extend back to 2017, covering 7 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 14 to 97 in the most recent data, a 593% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 4,526 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Chen's 97 verified procedures is more than 2x the national average of 36, ranking #168 nationally.
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. Chen Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Colorado state average.
Contact & Location
Boulder, CO 80301
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Chen's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 7 years, increasing 593% from 14 procedures in 2017 to 97 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 Hip Replacement
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Understanding the progression from conservative treatments to surgical intervention, and how to determine when hip replacement becomes the right choice.
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.
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.
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.
Hip Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full hip replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Chen
How does Dr. Chen's procedure volume compare to other Colorado surgeons?
Dr. Chen has performed 97 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Colorado average of 63 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Chen ranks #30 out of 165 orthopedic surgeons in Colorado.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Chen perform?
Dr. Chen's reported Medicare volume is focused on hip replacement, with 97 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Chen with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Chen ranks #5 in Colorado for hip replacement with 97 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 165 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Chen in Boulder?
Yes. There are 10 orthopedic surgeons in Boulder 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 Colorado surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Chen 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. Chen's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 97 procedures shown here.
Has Dr. Chen's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Chen's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 14 procedures in 2017 to 97 in the most recent data, a 593% increase over 7 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 97 procedures in 2023.
Which hospitals is Dr. Chen affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Chen is affiliated with Foothills Hospital.
How does Dr. Chen compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Boulder?
Among the 10 orthopedic surgeons in Boulder, Dr. Chen ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Chen is among the highest-volume surgeons in Boulder.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Chen practices?
Foothills Hospital (4 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 Boulder, Colorado
Dr. Chen's 97 Medicare procedures are above the Boulder average of 89. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Boulder.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Clint Brian Blackwood | 229 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Repine | 73 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Erik Bowman | 70 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Adam Holzmeister | 56 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James Rector | 55 | Hip |
| Dr. Dirk Dolbeare | 46 | Knee |
Patient Reviews & Ratings
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