Dr. Omar Akhtar, M.D.
Contact & Location
319-398-1545
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
Dr. Akhtar performs more hip replacement procedures than 86% of orthopedic surgeons in Iowa, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #9 of 65 ranked hip surgeons in Iowa.
About Dr. Akhtar
Practice. Dr. Omar Akhtar is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The latest annual CMS data records 63 hip replacements and 35 knee replacements, 98 procedures in all. That is #9 in Iowa for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 11 years. Volume rose from 12 procedures a year to 98, up 717%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 63 procedures is above the national average of 36.
Local context. Cedar Rapids has 12 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 | 12 |
| 2015 | 16 | 20 |
| 2016 | 15 | 33 |
| 2017 | 23 | 33 |
| 2018 | 31 | 56 |
| 2019 | 14 | 53 |
| 2020 | 33 | 52 |
| 2021 | 23 | 25 |
| 2022 | 48 | 33 |
| 2023 | 52 | 46 |
| 2024 | 63 | 35 |
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. Akhtar Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Iowa state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Akhtar's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 11 years, increasing 717% from 12 procedures in 2014 to 98 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.
What to Expect on the Day of SurgeryA step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
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 Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
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. Akhtar
How does Dr. Akhtar's procedure volume compare to other Iowa surgeons?
Dr. Akhtar has performed 98 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Iowa average of 73 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Akhtar ranks #28 out of 105 orthopedic surgeons in Iowa.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Akhtar perform?
Dr. Akhtar's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (63 cases) and knee replacement (35 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Akhtar with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Akhtar ranks #9 in Iowa for hip replacement with 63 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 105 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Akhtar in Cedar Rapids?
Yes. There are 12 orthopedic surgeons in Cedar Rapids 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. Akhtar 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. Akhtar's total volume across all insurers at roughly 320 to 400 procedures against the 98 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. Akhtar's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Akhtar's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 12 procedures in 2014 to 98 in the most recent data, a 717% increase over 11 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 98 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Akhtar perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Akhtar's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (63 cases), knee replacement (35 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Akhtar affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Akhtar is affiliated with St Lukes Hospital, Mercy Medical Center - Cedar Rapids, Regional Medical Center, Jones Regional Medical Center, Buchanan County Health Center.
How does Dr. Akhtar compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Cedar Rapids?
Among the 12 orthopedic surgeons in Cedar Rapids, Dr. Akhtar ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Cedar Rapids has 198 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Akhtar practices?
St Lukes Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Mercy Medical Center - Cedar Rapids (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 Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Dr. Akhtar's 98 Medicare procedures are below the Cedar Rapids average of 104. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Cedar Rapids.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Sandeep Munjal | 198 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jeffrey Nassif | 139 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Cassandra Lange | 120 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kyle Switzer | 61 | Knee |
| Dr. John Hart | 56 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Andrea Stitgen Policano | 54 | 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.