Dr. Simon Mears, M.D., P.H.D
Dr. Simon Mears is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Gainesville, Florida. A Medicare provider since 2006, Dr. Mears has performed 18 Medicare-verified knee replacements (#336 in Florida) and 18 hip replacements, for a combined total of 36 procedures.
In Florida, Dr. Mears performs below average in knee (18 vs 49 avg), below average in hip (18 vs 39 avg).
Dr. Mears's reported Medicare volume is split between knee replacements (18 cases) and hip replacements (18 cases).
Gainesville is home to 19 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Gainesville area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Dr. Mears's Medicare data spans 10 years, beginning in 2013. Volume peaked at 77 procedures in 2019 before settling at 36 in the most recent data. Changes in Medicare reporting, payer mix shifts, or practice focus adjustments can all influence year-to-year volume.
Dr. Mears's 18 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. Mears Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Florida state average.
Contact & Location
Gainesville, FL 32610
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Mears's recorded volume peaked at 77 procedures in 2019 and stood at 36 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.
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.
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. Mears
How does Dr. Mears's procedure volume compare to other Florida surgeons?
Dr. Mears has performed 36 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. Mears ranks #318 out of 509 orthopedic surgeons in Florida.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Mears perform?
Dr. Mears's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (18 cases) and hip replacement (18 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Mears in Gainesville?
Yes. There are 19 orthopedic surgeons in Gainesville 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. Mears 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. Mears's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 36 procedures shown here.
Has Dr. Mears's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Mears's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 77 procedures in 2019 and was 36 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. Mears perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Mears's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (18 cases), hip replacement (18 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Mears affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Mears is affiliated with Uams Medical Center. Dr. Mears maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Mears compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Gainesville?
Among the 19 orthopedic surgeons in Gainesville, Dr. Mears ranks #11 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Gainesville has 117 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Mears practices?
Uams Medical Center (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Gainesville, Florida
Dr. Mears's 36 Medicare procedures are below the Gainesville average of 75. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Gainesville.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Tristan Altbuch | 117 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Mark Petty | 93 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Daniel Lombardo | 80 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Hari Parvataneni | 69 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James McFadden | 66 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Hernan Prieto Saavedra | 65 | Hip, Knee |
Patient Reviews & Ratings
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