Dr. James Hill, M.D.
Contact & Location
847-870-6100
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Dr. Hill performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 45% of orthopedic surgeons in Illinois, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #44 of 80 ranked shoulder surgeons in Illinois.
About Dr. Hill
Practice. Dr. James Hill is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Arlington Heights, Illinois. The latest annual CMS data records 21 shoulder replacements. That is #44 in Illinois for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 44 in 2021 and stands at 21 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 21 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Arlington Heights has 6 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 | 0 | 31 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 29 |
| 2015 | 12 | 0 | 24 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
| 2017 | 11 | 11 | 18 |
| 2018 | 0 | 14 | 26 |
| 2019 | 0 | 12 | 21 |
| 2020 | 0 | 14 | 18 |
| 2021 | 0 | 16 | 28 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
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. Hill Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Illinois state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Hill's recorded volume peaked at 44 procedures in 2021 and stood at 21 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
A step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
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 Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
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. Hill
How does Dr. Hill's procedure volume compare to other Illinois surgeons?
Dr. Hill has performed 21 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Illinois average is 69 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Hill ranks #250 out of 316 orthopedic surgeons in Illinois.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Hill perform?
Dr. Hill's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 21 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Hill in Arlington Heights?
Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in Arlington Heights 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 Illinois surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Hill 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. Hill's total volume across all insurers at roughly 60 to 70 procedures against the 21 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. Hill's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Hill's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 44 procedures in 2021 and was 21 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. Hill affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Hill is affiliated with Northwest Community Hospital.
How does Dr. Hill compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Arlington Heights?
Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in Arlington Heights, Dr. Hill ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Arlington Heights has 161 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Hill practices?
Northwest Community Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate better than national average). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Arlington Heights, Illinois
Dr. Hill's 21 Medicare procedures are below the Arlington Heights average of 53. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Arlington Heights.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Phillip Ludkowski | 161 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Thomas Kim | 65 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Eduard Sladek | 43 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Brian Moss | 15 | Knee |
| Dr. John Ross | 12 | 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.