Dr. Jason Sullivan, M.D.
Contact & Location
515-224-1414
West Des Moines, IA 50266
Dr. Sullivan performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 89% of orthopedic surgeons in Iowa, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #4 of 38 ranked shoulder surgeons in Iowa.
About Dr. Sullivan
Practice. Dr. Jason Sullivan is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in West Des Moines, Iowa. The latest annual CMS data records 44 shoulder replacements. That is #4 in Iowa for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2008.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 11 years. Volume rose from 14 procedures a year to 44, up 214%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 44 procedures is above the national average of 29.
Local context. West Des Moines has 11 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 | 14 |
| 2015 | 30 |
| 2016 | 22 |
| 2017 | 31 |
| 2018 | 29 |
| 2019 | 33 |
| 2020 | 27 |
| 2021 | 38 |
| 2022 | 43 |
| 2023 | 52 |
| 2024 | 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 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. Sullivan Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Iowa state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Sullivan's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 11 years, increasing 214% from 14 procedures in 2014 to 44 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 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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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. Sullivan
How does Dr. Sullivan's procedure volume compare to other Iowa surgeons?
Dr. Sullivan has performed 44 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. Sullivan ranks #71 out of 105 orthopedic surgeons in Iowa.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Sullivan perform?
Dr. Sullivan's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 44 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Sullivan with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Sullivan ranks #4 in Iowa for shoulder replacement with 44 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 105 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Sullivan in West Des Moines?
Yes. There are 11 orthopedic surgeons in West Des Moines 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. Sullivan 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. Sullivan's total volume across all insurers at roughly 120 to 150 procedures against the 44 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. Sullivan's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Sullivan's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 14 procedures in 2014 to 44 in the most recent data, a 214% increase over 11 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 52 procedures in 2023.
Which hospitals is Dr. Sullivan affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Sullivan is affiliated with Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi, Mercyone Newton Medical Center, Guthrie County Hospital, Cass County Memorial Hospital.
How does Dr. Sullivan compare to other orthopedic surgeons in West Des Moines?
Among the 11 orthopedic surgeons in West Des Moines, Dr. Sullivan ranks #9 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in West Des Moines has 170 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Sullivan practices?
Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Mercyone Newton Medical Center (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 West Des Moines, Iowa
Dr. Sullivan's 44 Medicare procedures are below the West Des Moines average of 112. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in West Des Moines.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Barron Bremner | 170 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Matthew Dewall | 156 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Nelson | 144 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Thomas Dulaney | 115 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kary Schulte | 92 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Nicholas Honkamp | 65 | Knee, 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.