Hip
Dr. Blake Clifton, M.D.
Dr. Blake Clifton is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Gunnison, Colorado. A Medicare provider since 2009, Dr. Clifton has performed 13 Medicare-verified hip replacements, ranking #78 in Colorado.
In Colorado, Dr. Clifton performs below average in hip (13 vs 38 avg).
Dr. Clifton's Medicare data shows a focused hip replacement practice with 13 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.
Dr. Clifton is the only orthopedic surgeon in Gunnison represented in the current Medicare dataset, serving as the primary local option for patients considering joint replacement surgery in the area.
Dr. Clifton's Medicare data spans 8 years, beginning in 2016. Volume peaked at 39 procedures in 2019 before settling at 13 in the most recent data. Changes in Medicare reporting, payer mix shifts, or practice focus adjustments can all influence year-to-year volume.
Dr. Clifton's 13 hip replacement procedures is below the national average of 36 among 4,526 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
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. Clifton Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Colorado state average.
Contact & Location
Gunnison, CO 81230
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Clifton's recorded volume peaked at 39 procedures in 2019 and stood at 13 in the most recent data. Year-to-year variation can reflect changes in payer mix, practice scope, or Medicare billing patterns.
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.
Prehabilitation: Preparing Your Body for SurgeryEvidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
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 Bundled Payment Programs for Joint ReplacementHow bundled payment models affect your joint replacement costs and care coordination, and what it means for hospital and surgeon selection.
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. Clifton
How does Dr. Clifton's procedure volume compare to other Colorado surgeons?
Dr. Clifton has performed 13 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Colorado average is 63 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Clifton ranks #156 out of 165 orthopedic surgeons in Colorado.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Clifton perform?
Dr. Clifton's reported Medicare volume is focused on hip replacement, with 13 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Where is Dr. Clifton's practice located?
Dr. Clifton practices in Gunnison, Colorado. The office is located at 112 W Spencer Ave, Gunnison, CO 81230. Patients in the surrounding area can consult Dr. Clifton for joint replacement evaluation.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Clifton 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. Clifton's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 13 procedures shown here.
Has Dr. Clifton's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Clifton's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 39 procedures in 2019 and was 13 in the most recent data. Volume fluctuations can reflect changes in payer mix, practice focus, or Medicare reporting rather than a change in overall surgical activity.
Which hospitals is Dr. Clifton affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Clifton is affiliated with Gunnison Valley Hospital, Parkview Medical Center, Inc.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Clifton practices?
Gunnison Valley Hospital (insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Parkview Medical Center, Inc (2 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.
Patient Reviews & Ratings
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