Dr. Benjamin Puckett, M.D.
Contact & Location
770-532-7202
Gainesville, GA 30501
Dr. Puckett performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 20% of orthopedic surgeons in Georgia, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #42 of 53 ranked shoulder surgeons in Georgia.
About Dr. Puckett
Practice. Dr. Benjamin Puckett is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Gainesville, Georgia. The latest annual CMS data records 14 shoulder replacements. That is #42 in Georgia for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2009.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2020 to 2024, 4 years. Volume peaked at 24 in 2023 and stands at 14 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 14 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Gainesville has 9 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 24 |
| 2024 | 14 |
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. Puckett Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Georgia state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Puckett's recorded volume peaked at 24 procedures in 2023 and stood at 14 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
A practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
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.
Outpatient Joint Replacement: A Medicare GuideHow outpatient joint replacement works under Medicare, including eligibility criteria, cost differences, and what to expect with same-day discharge.
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. Puckett
How does Dr. Puckett's procedure volume compare to other Georgia surgeons?
Dr. Puckett has performed 14 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Georgia average is 55 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Puckett ranks #217 out of 245 orthopedic surgeons in Georgia.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Puckett perform?
Dr. Puckett's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 14 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Puckett in Gainesville?
Yes. There are 9 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 Georgia surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Puckett 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. Puckett's total volume across all insurers at roughly 40 to 50 procedures against the 14 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. Puckett's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Puckett's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 24 procedures in 2023 and was 14 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. Puckett affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Puckett is affiliated with Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Inc, Northeast Georgia Medical Center Habersham, Northside Hospital Forsyth.
How does Dr. Puckett compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Gainesville?
Among the 9 orthopedic surgeons in Gainesville, Dr. Puckett ranks #9 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Gainesville has 110 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Puckett practices?
Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Inc (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Northeast Georgia Medical Center Habersham (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Northside Hospital Forsyth (4 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 Gainesville, Georgia
Dr. Puckett's 14 Medicare procedures are below the Gainesville average of 62. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Gainesville.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. John Vachtsevanos | 110 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Shan Sharif | 103 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Gottsman | 71 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Robert Wood | 58 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Gary Davis | 45 | Knee |
| Dr. Barry Munn | 30 | Hip, 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.