Dr. Jason Heaton, M.D.
Contact & Location
706-324-6661
Columbus, GA 31909
Valdosta, GA 31602
Thomasville, GA 31792
Dr. Heaton performs more hip replacement procedures than 11% of orthopedic surgeons in Georgia, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #111 of 126 ranked hip surgeons in Georgia.
About Dr. Heaton
Practice. Dr. Jason Heaton is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Columbus, Georgia. The latest annual CMS data records 14 hip replacements. That is #111 in Georgia for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 11 years. Volume peaked at 33 in 2016 and stands at 14 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 14 procedures is below the national average of 36. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Columbus has 13 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 2016 | 11 | 22 | 0 |
| 2017 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 13 | 0 | 12 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| 2021 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| 2022 | 13 | 12 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| 2024 | 14 | 0 | 0 |
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. 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. Heaton Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Georgia state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Heaton's recorded volume peaked at 33 procedures in 2016 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 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.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Joint ReplacementA practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
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.
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.
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. Heaton
How does Dr. Heaton's procedure volume compare to other Georgia surgeons?
Dr. Heaton 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. Heaton ranks #211 out of 245 orthopedic surgeons in Georgia.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Heaton perform?
Dr. Heaton's reported Medicare volume is focused on hip 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. Heaton in Columbus?
Yes. There are 13 orthopedic surgeons in Columbus 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. Heaton 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, which puts Dr. Heaton's total volume across all insurers at roughly 40 to 60 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. Heaton's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Heaton's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 33 procedures in 2016 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. Heaton affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Heaton is affiliated with Southwell Medical, A Campus Of Trmc, Sgmc Health, Colquitt Regional Medical Center.
How does Dr. Heaton compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Columbus?
Among the 13 orthopedic surgeons in Columbus, Dr. Heaton ranks #13 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Columbus has 137 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Heaton practices?
Southwell Medical, A Campus Of Trmc (insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Sgmc Health (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Colquitt Regional 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 Columbus, Georgia
Dr. Heaton's 14 Medicare procedures are below the Columbus average of 82. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Columbus.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Garland Gudger | 137 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Randall Ruark | 122 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Patrick Fernicola | 95 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Matthew Stewart | 85 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Ryan Geringer | 71 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. James McGrory | 53 | 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.