Dr. Eric Branch, MD

Orthopedic Surgery
13 procedures 1 hospital Panama City, FL
Latest available Medicare data — updated April 2026

Contact & Location

2011 Harrison Ave
Panama City, FL 32405
NPI: 1982067344
Credentials: MD
Active Medicare provider
Find Practice on Google Maps
Shoulder replacement recovery kit Slings, cold therapy, and adaptive clothing for recovery
National Comparison by Procedure
Shoulder 13 vs 29 avg (2,213 surgeons)

Dr. Eric Branch is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Panama City, Florida. Dr. Branch has performed 13 Medicare-verified shoulder replacements, ranking #132 in Florida.

In Florida, Dr. Branch performs below average in shoulder (13 vs 34 avg).

Dr. Branch's Medicare data shows a focused shoulder 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.

Panama City is home to 6 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Panama City area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.

Dr. Branch first appears in the Medicare dataset in 2024. With 1 year of recorded data, the longitudinal trend is still developing.

Dr. Branch's 13 shoulder replacement procedures is below the national average of 29 among 2,213 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.

Verified Medicare Cases

Shoulder Replacement
13 verified cases
#132 in Florida
Estimated total: 40 – 40 procedures (all insurers)
Based on Medicare FFS representing 33–37% of national joint replacement volume
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. Branch Compares

Procedure volume compared to the Florida state average.

Shoulder Below Avg
13 Avg: 34
Dr. Branch Florida Average

Hospital Affiliations & Quality

H
Hca Florida Gulf Coast Hospital
3/5
Panama City, FL
Similar to national avg

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 Shoulder Replacement

If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:

Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview

Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:

Week 1-3 Arm in a sling for protection. Gentle pendulum exercises under therapist guidance. Focus on pain management and wound care.
Week 4-6 Gradual sling weaning. Begin passive and active-assisted range-of-motion exercises. Light daily activities resume.
Week 7-12 Active range-of-motion exercises. Light strengthening begins. Most patients can drive and perform desk work.
Month 4-6 Progressive strengthening continues. Return to most activities. Full recovery may take 6-12 months for complete shoulder strength.

Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full shoulder replacement recovery guide and product recommendations

Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Branch

How does Dr. Branch's procedure volume compare to other Florida surgeons?

Dr. Branch has performed 13 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. Branch ranks #490 out of 523 orthopedic surgeons in Florida.

What types of joint replacement does Dr. Branch perform?

Dr. Branch's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 13 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.

Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Branch in Panama City?

Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in Panama City 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. Branch 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. Branch's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 13 procedures shown here.

Which hospitals is Dr. Branch affiliated with?

According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Branch is affiliated with Hca Florida Gulf Coast Hospital.

How does Dr. Branch compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Panama City?

Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in Panama City, Dr. Branch ranks #6 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Panama City has 145 verified Medicare procedures.

What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Branch practices?

Hca Florida Gulf Coast Hospital (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 Panama City, Florida

Dr. Branch's 13 Medicare procedures are below the Panama City average of 65. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Panama City.

SurgeonProceduresSpecialties
Dr. David Dietrich 145 Hip, Knee, Shoulder
Dr. Nicholas Crossman 93 Hip, Knee
Dr. Isaac Mitchell 72 Knee, Shoulder
Dr. Jared Patterson 45 Hip, Knee
Dr. Thomas Mitchell 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.

Cite This Data

APA: OrthoProcedures. (2026). Dr. Eric Branch, MD -- Orthopedic Surgeon Profile. Retrieved from https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/fl/dr-eric-branch-panama-city.html

Link: https://orthoprocedures.com/surgeons/fl/dr-eric-branch-panama-city.html

Data source: CMS Medicare Part B Provider Utilization & Payment Data. Full methodology | Open Data API

Important: Rankings are based solely on Medicare procedure volume and do not reflect quality of care, patient outcomes, or procedures covered by private insurance. This data represents approximately one-third to 40% of all joint replacement procedures nationwide. Always consult with healthcare providers to make informed decisions about your care.