Dr. James Raley, M.D.
Contact & Location
706-721-2503
Augusta, GA 30912
Dr. Raley performs more hip replacement procedures than 73% of orthopedic surgeons in Georgia, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #33 of 126 ranked hip surgeons in Georgia.
About Dr. Raley
Practice. Dr. James Raley is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Augusta, Georgia. The latest annual CMS data records 39 hip replacements and 29 knee replacements, 68 procedures in all. That is #33 in Georgia for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2015.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2022 to 2024, 3 years. Volume rose from 18 procedures a year to 68, up 278%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 39 procedures is near the national average of 36.
Local context. Augusta has 14 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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 18 | 0 |
| 2023 | 43 | 27 |
| 2024 | 39 | 29 |
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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee 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. Raley Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Georgia state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Raley's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 3 years, increasing 278% from 18 procedures in 2022 to 68 in the most recent data.
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.
Prehabilitation: Preparing Your Body for SurgeryEvidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
Medicare Bundled Payment Programs for Joint ReplacementHow bundled payment models affect your joint replacement costs and care coordination, and what it means for hospital and surgeon selection.
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. Raley
How does Dr. Raley's procedure volume compare to other Georgia surgeons?
Dr. Raley has performed 68 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Georgia average of 55 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Raley ranks #61 out of 245 orthopedic surgeons in Georgia.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Raley perform?
Dr. Raley's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (39 cases) and knee replacement (29 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Raley in Augusta?
Yes. There are 14 orthopedic surgeons in Augusta 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. Raley 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Raley's total volume across all insurers at roughly 220 to 280 procedures against the 68 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. Raley's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Raley's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 18 procedures in 2022 to 68 in the most recent data, a 278% increase over 3 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 70 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Raley perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Raley's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (39 cases), knee replacement (29 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Raley affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Raley is affiliated with Crestwood Medical Center, Huntsville Hospital, Highlands Medical Center. Dr. Raley maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Raley compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Augusta?
Among the 14 orthopedic surgeons in Augusta, Dr. Raley ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Augusta has 194 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Raley practices?
Crestwood Medical Center (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Huntsville Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Highlands Medical Center (3 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 Augusta, Georgia
Dr. Raley's 68 Medicare procedures are below the Augusta average of 106. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Augusta.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Terry Arrington | 194 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Randall Meredith | 192 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Franklin | 113 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Nicholas Capito | 67 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Douglas Phillips | 61 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. John Bojescul | 45 | 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.