Dr. Austin Chen, M.D.
Contact & Location
303-449-2730
Boulder, CO 80301
Broomfield, CO 80023
Dr. Chen performs more hip replacement procedures than 94% of orthopedic surgeons in Colorado, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #5 of 92 ranked hip surgeons in Colorado.
About Dr. Chen
Practice. Dr. Austin Chen is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Boulder, Colorado. The latest annual CMS data records 99 hip replacements. That is #5 in Colorado for hip replacement. Dr. Chen also holds credentials in Sports Medicine. A Medicare provider since 2010.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2017 to 2024, 8 years. Volume rose from 14 procedures a year to 99, up 607%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 99 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 36. That is #165 nationally.
Local context. Boulder has 10 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2019 | 21 |
| 2020 | 40 |
| 2021 | 54 |
| 2022 | 74 |
| 2023 | 97 |
| 2024 | 99 |
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 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. Chen Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Colorado state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Chen's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 8 years, increasing 607% from 14 procedures in 2017 to 99 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 99 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Colorado average of 64 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Chen ranks #31 out of 169 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 99 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 99 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 169 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 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Chen's total volume across all insurers at roughly 300 to 400 procedures against the 99 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. Chen's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Chen's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 14 procedures in 2017 to 99 in the most recent data, a 607% increase over 8 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 99 procedures in 2024.
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 99 Medicare procedures are above the Boulder average of 94. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Boulder.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Clint Brian Blackwood | 213 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Erik Bowman | 97 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James Rector | 68 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Dirk Dolbeare | 65 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Repine | 64 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Adam Holzmeister | 53 | 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.