Dr. Dennis Alter, MD
Contact & Location
386-586-1370
Palm Coast, FL 32164
Dr. Alter performs more knee replacement procedures than 36% of orthopedic surgeons in Florida, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #259 of 406 ranked knee surgeons in Florida.
About Dr. Alter
Dr. Dennis Alter is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Palm Coast, Florida. A Medicare provider since 2005, Dr. Alter performed 25 Medicare-verified knee replacements (#259 in Florida) and 19 hip replacements in the latest annual CMS data, for a combined total of 44 procedures.
In Florida, Dr. Alter performs below the state average in knee (25 vs 48), below the state average in hip (19 vs 40).
Dr. Alter's reported Medicare volume is split between knee replacements (25 cases) and hip replacements (19 cases).
Palm Coast is home to 5 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Palm Coast area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Dr. Alter's Medicare data spans 12 years, beginning in 2013. Volume peaked at 112 procedures in 2017 before settling at 44 in the most recent data. Changes in Medicare reporting, payer mix shifts, or practice focus adjustments can all influence year-to-year volume.
Dr. Alter's 25 knee replacement procedures is below the national average of 45 among 6,612 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 21 | 56 | 0 |
| 2014 | 41 | 41 | 0 |
| 2015 | 38 | 53 | 0 |
| 2016 | 35 | 43 | 14 |
| 2017 | 51 | 61 | 0 |
| 2018 | 41 | 63 | 0 |
| 2019 | 38 | 46 | 16 |
| 2020 | 35 | 39 | 0 |
| 2021 | 45 | 37 | 0 |
| 2022 | 50 | 55 | 0 |
| 2023 | 49 | 50 | 0 |
| 2024 | 19 | 25 | 0 |
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 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 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. Alter Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Florida state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Alter's recorded volume peaked at 112 procedures in 2017 and stood at 44 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 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.
Home Safety: Creating Your Recovery SanctuaryRoom-by-room modifications, equipment recommendations, and fall-prevention strategies to prepare your home for a safe post-surgical recovery.
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. Alter
How does Dr. Alter's procedure volume compare to other Florida surgeons?
Dr. Alter has performed 44 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Florida average is 72 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Alter ranks #289 out of 523 orthopedic surgeons in Florida.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Alter perform?
Dr. Alter's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (25 cases) and hip replacement (19 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Alter in Palm Coast?
Yes. There are 5 orthopedic surgeons in Palm Coast 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 Florida surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Alter 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 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Alter's total volume across all insurers at roughly 150 to 180 procedures against the 44 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. Alter's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Alter's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 112 procedures in 2017 and was 44 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.
Does Dr. Alter perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Alter's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (25 cases), hip replacement (19 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Alter affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Alter is affiliated with Adventhealth Palm Coast, Adventhealth Palm Coast Parkway.
How does Dr. Alter compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Palm Coast?
Among the 5 orthopedic surgeons in Palm Coast, Dr. Alter ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Alter is among the highest-volume surgeons in Palm Coast.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Alter practices?
Adventhealth Palm Coast (3 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 Palm Coast, Florida
Dr. Alter's 44 Medicare procedures are below the Palm Coast average of 59. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Palm Coast.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Jeffrey Keen | 135 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Benjamin Lindbloom | 57 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Joseph Palmer | 36 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Campbell | 24 | 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.