Dr. Jacob Elkins, M.D., Ph.D.
Contact & Location
319-356-2223
Iowa City, IA 52242
North Liberty, IA 52317
Dr. Elkins performs more hip replacement procedures than 84% of orthopedic surgeons in Iowa, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #10 of 65 ranked hip surgeons in Iowa.
About Dr. Elkins
Practice. Dr. Jacob Elkins is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Iowa City, Iowa. The latest annual CMS data records 62 hip replacements and 44 knee replacements, 106 procedures in all. That is #10 in Iowa for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2013.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2018 to 2024, 7 years. Volume rose from 11 procedures a year to 106, up 864%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 62 procedures is above the national average of 36.
Local context. Iowa City has 7 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 | 11 | 0 |
| 2019 | 22 | 29 |
| 2020 | 26 | 16 |
| 2021 | 32 | 27 |
| 2022 | 53 | 46 |
| 2023 | 37 | 35 |
| 2024 | 62 | 44 |
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. Elkins Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Iowa state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Elkins's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 7 years, increasing 864% from 11 procedures in 2018 to 106 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.
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 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. Elkins
How does Dr. Elkins's procedure volume compare to other Iowa surgeons?
Dr. Elkins has performed 106 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Iowa average of 73 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Elkins ranks #25 out of 105 orthopedic surgeons in Iowa.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Elkins perform?
Dr. Elkins's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (62 cases) and knee replacement (44 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Elkins with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Elkins ranks #10 in Iowa for hip replacement with 62 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 105 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Elkins in Iowa City?
Yes. There are 7 orthopedic surgeons in Iowa City 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. Elkins 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. Elkins's total volume across all insurers at roughly 350 to 440 procedures against the 106 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. Elkins's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Elkins's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 11 procedures in 2018 to 106 in the most recent data, a 864% increase over 7 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 106 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Elkins perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Elkins's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (62 cases), knee replacement (44 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Elkins affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Elkins is affiliated with University Of Iowa Health Care Medical Center, Boone County Hospital.
How does Dr. Elkins compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Iowa City?
Among the 7 orthopedic surgeons in Iowa City, Dr. Elkins ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Elkins is among the highest-volume surgeons in Iowa City.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Elkins practices?
University Of Iowa Health Care Medical Center (3 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 Iowa City, Iowa
Dr. Elkins's 106 Medicare procedures are above the Iowa City average of 67. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Iowa City.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Nicolas Noiseux | 136 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Nicholas Bedard | 70 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Brendan Patterson | 62 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Dallas Vanorny | 47 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Carender | 29 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James Nepola | 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.