Dr. Eric Szczesniak, M.D.
Contact & Location
219-921-1444
Chesterton, IN 46304
About Dr. Szczesniak
Dr. Eric Szczesniak is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Chesterton, Indiana. A Medicare provider since 2010, Dr. Szczesniak performed 48 Medicare-verified hip replacements (#20 in Indiana) and 18 knee replacements in the latest annual CMS data, for a combined total of 66 procedures.
In Indiana, Dr. Szczesniak performs above the state average in hip (48 vs 31), below the state average in knee (18 vs 41).
Dr. Szczesniak's reported Medicare volume is split between hip replacements (48 cases) and knee replacements (18 cases).
Chesterton is home to 5 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Chesterton area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Szczesniak extend back to 2017, covering 8 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 29 to 66 in the most recent data, a 128% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Among 4,532 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Szczesniak's 48 verified procedures is above the national average of 36.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 29 | 0 |
| 2018 | 43 | 14 |
| 2019 | 52 | 0 |
| 2020 | 40 | 20 |
| 2021 | 50 | 15 |
| 2022 | 45 | 21 |
| 2023 | 41 | 33 |
| 2024 | 48 | 18 |
Verified Medicare Cases
How is this estimated?
Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims represent approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally (source: CMS data, AJRR). This range estimates the surgeon's total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count above is the definitive, audited figure.
How Dr. Szczesniak Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Indiana state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Szczesniak's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 8 years, increasing 128% from 29 procedures in 2017 to 66 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. Szczesniak
How does Dr. Szczesniak's procedure volume compare to other Indiana surgeons?
Dr. Szczesniak has performed 66 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Indiana average of 60 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Szczesniak ranks #76 out of 224 orthopedic surgeons in Indiana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Szczesniak perform?
Dr. Szczesniak's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (48 cases) and knee replacement (18 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Szczesniak with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Szczesniak ranks #20 in Indiana for hip replacement with 48 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 224 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Szczesniak in Chesterton?
Yes. There are 5 orthopedic surgeons in Chesterton 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 Indiana surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Szczesniak represent?
The procedure counts shown are based on the most recent Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This captures approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally. Dr. Szczesniak's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 66 procedures shown here.
Has Dr. Szczesniak's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Szczesniak's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 29 procedures in 2017 to 66 in the most recent data, a 128% increase over 8 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 74 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Szczesniak perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Szczesniak's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (48 cases), knee replacement (18 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Szczesniak affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Szczesniak is affiliated with Northwest Health- Porter, Northwest Health-La Porte, St Mary Medical Center Inc, Northwest Health- Starke, Franciscan Health Crown Point.
How does Dr. Szczesniak compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Chesterton?
Among the 5 orthopedic surgeons in Chesterton, Dr. Szczesniak ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Szczesniak has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Szczesniak practices?
Northwest Health- Porter (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Northwest Health-La Porte (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); St Mary Medical Center Inc (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 Chesterton, Indiana
Dr. Szczesniak's 66 Medicare procedures are above the Chesterton average of 51. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Chesterton.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Anthony Levenda | 57 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Thomas Kay | 55 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. David Musgrave | 50 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Paul Gruszka | 27 | 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.