Dr. Alexander Volkmar, MD
Contact & Location
515-224-1414
Ankeny, IA 50021
Dr. Volkmar performs more hip replacement procedures than 18% of orthopedic surgeons in Iowa, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #53 of 65 ranked hip surgeons in Iowa.
About Dr. Volkmar
Dr. Alexander Volkmar is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Ankeny, Iowa. A Medicare provider since 2019, Dr. Volkmar performed 17 Medicare-verified hip replacements in the latest annual CMS data, ranking #53 in Iowa.
In Iowa, Dr. Volkmar performs below the state average in hip (17 vs 36).
Dr. Volkmar's Medicare data shows a focused hip replacement practice with 17 verified procedures. Surgeons who concentrate on a single procedure type often develop deep procedural expertise, though total practice volume may include additional procedures not captured in Medicare fee-for-service data.
Beyond general orthopedic surgery, Dr. Volkmar holds additional credentials in Adult Reconstructive Orthopaedic Surgery, reflecting subspecialty training that may benefit patients with complex joint conditions.
Ankeny is home to 4 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Ankeny area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs. Dr. Volkmar also maintains hospital privileges in IA and UT, indicating a regional practice that extends beyond Iowa.
Dr. Volkmar first appears in the Medicare dataset in 2024. With 1 year of recorded data, the longitudinal trend is still developing.
Dr. Volkmar's 17 hip replacement procedures is below the national average of 36 among 4,532 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Case Volume
Verified Medicare data is available for 1 year: 17 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 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. Volkmar Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Iowa 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 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.
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.
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. Volkmar
How does Dr. Volkmar's procedure volume compare to other Iowa surgeons?
Dr. Volkmar has performed 17 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Iowa average is 73 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Volkmar ranks #97 out of 105 orthopedic surgeons in Iowa.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Volkmar perform?
Dr. Volkmar's reported Medicare volume is focused on hip replacement, with 17 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Volkmar in Ankeny?
Yes. There are 4 orthopedic surgeons in Ankeny 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 Iowa surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Volkmar 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. Volkmar's total volume across all insurers at roughly 50 to 70 procedures against the 17 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. Volkmar affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Volkmar is affiliated with Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi, University Of Utah Hospital And Clinics. Dr. Volkmar maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Volkmar compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Ankeny?
Among the 4 orthopedic surgeons in Ankeny, Dr. Volkmar ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Ankeny has 253 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Volkmar practices?
Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); University Of Utah Hospital And Clinics (5 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 Ankeny, Iowa
Dr. Volkmar's 17 Medicare procedures are below the Ankeny average of 79. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Ankeny.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Mark Isaacson | 253 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jeffrey Bannister | 26 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Joseph Brunkhorst | 21 | Shoulder |
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.