Dr. Thomas Kay, M.D.
Contact & Location
219-921-1444
Chesterton, IN 46304
Portage, IN 46368
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Dr. Kay performs more knee replacement procedures than 37% of orthopedic surgeons in Indiana, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #118 of 188 ranked knee surgeons in Indiana.
About Dr. Kay
Practice. Dr. Thomas Kay is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Chesterton, Indiana. The latest annual CMS data records 27 knee replacements, 16 hip replacements, and 12 shoulder replacements, 55 procedures in all. That is #118 in Indiana for knee replacement.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume has held between 37 and 81 procedures a year.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 27 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Chesterton has 5 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 | 13 | 37 | 0 |
| 2014 | 17 | 20 | 0 |
| 2015 | 24 | 30 | 0 |
| 2016 | 38 | 43 | 0 |
| 2017 | 33 | 32 | 0 |
| 2018 | 26 | 31 | 0 |
| 2019 | 29 | 35 | 0 |
| 2020 | 22 | 27 | 0 |
| 2021 | 30 | 32 | 0 |
| 2022 | 23 | 47 | 0 |
| 2023 | 24 | 43 | 0 |
| 2024 | 16 | 27 | 12 |
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 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 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. Kay Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Indiana state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Kay's procedure volume has been consistent across 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 37 to 81 procedures per year. This stability suggests a well-established joint replacement practice.
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 Knee Replacement
If you are considering knee replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
An overview of current surgical approaches including robotic-assisted and minimally invasive techniques, implant options, and expected outcomes.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Joint ReplacementA practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Rehabilitation Roadmap: Your Complete Recovery GuideA structured physical therapy progression from the first post-op exercises through full strength and mobility restoration over 3 to 6 months.
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.
Knee Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after knee replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full knee replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Kay
How does Dr. Kay's procedure volume compare to other Indiana surgeons?
Dr. Kay has performed 55 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Indiana average of 60 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Kay ranks #100 out of 224 orthopedic surgeons in Indiana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Kay perform?
Dr. Kay performs all three major joint replacement procedures: knee replacement (27 cases), hip replacement (16 cases), shoulder replacement (12 cases). This breadth indicates a comprehensive orthopedic joint replacement practice.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Kay 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. Kay 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 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Kay's total volume across all insurers at roughly 180 to 220 procedures against the 55 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. Kay's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Kay's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 37 to 81 procedures per year between 2013 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Does Dr. Kay perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Kay's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (27 cases), hip replacement (16 cases), shoulder replacement (12 cases). Performing all three major joint replacements places Dr. Kay among the 5% of orthopedic surgeons nationally who cover hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty.
Which hospitals is Dr. Kay affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Kay is affiliated with Northwest Health- Porter, St Mary Medical Center Inc, Northwest Health-La Porte, Franciscan Health Michigan City.
How does Dr. Kay compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Chesterton?
Among the 5 orthopedic surgeons in Chesterton, Dr. Kay ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Kay is among the highest-volume surgeons in Chesterton.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Kay practices?
Northwest Health- Porter (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); St Mary Medical Center Inc (3 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). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Chesterton, Indiana
Dr. Kay's 55 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. Eric Szczesniak | 66 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Anthony Levenda | 57 | 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.