Dr. Eric Branch, M.D.
Contact & Location
850-691-4188
Panama City, FL 32405
Dr. Branch performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 15% of orthopedic surgeons in Florida, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #132 of 157 ranked shoulder surgeons in Florida.
About Dr. Branch
Practice. Dr. Eric Branch is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Panama City, Florida. The latest annual CMS data records 13 shoulder replacements. That is #132 in Florida for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2016.
Trend. Dr. Branch first appears in the Medicare data in 2024. With 1 year on record, the trend is still short.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 13 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Panama City has 6 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist.
Verified Case Volume
Verified Medicare data is available for 1 year: 13 procedures in the most recent reporting year. A multi-year trend chart is shown once at least 3 years of data are available.
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 29% to 37% for shoulder 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. Branch Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Florida state average.
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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
A step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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.
Shoulder Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after shoulder replacement surgery:
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 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 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Branch's total volume across all insurers at roughly 40 to 40 procedures against the 13 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.
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.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| 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.