Dr. Kevin Watson, M.D.
Contact & Location
504-899-6391
New Orleans, LA 70115
Dr. Watson performs more hip replacement procedures than 29% of orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #34 of 48 ranked hip surgeons in Louisiana.
About Dr. Watson
Practice. Dr. Kevin Watson is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in New Orleans, Louisiana. The latest annual CMS data records 16 hip replacements. That is #34 in Louisiana for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 10 years. Volume peaked at 28 in 2022 and stands at 16 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 16 procedures is below the national average of 36. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. New Orleans 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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 19 |
| 2015 | 0 | 23 |
| 2016 | 0 | 12 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 11 |
| 2019 | 0 | 17 |
| 2020 | 0 | 13 |
| 2021 | 14 | 0 |
| 2022 | 12 | 16 |
| 2023 | 13 | 0 |
| 2024 | 16 | 0 |
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. 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. Watson Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Louisiana state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Watson's recorded volume peaked at 28 procedures in 2022 and stood at 16 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 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. Watson
How does Dr. Watson's procedure volume compare to other Louisiana surgeons?
Dr. Watson has performed 16 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Louisiana average is 54 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Watson ranks #86 out of 104 orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Watson perform?
Dr. Watson's reported Medicare volume is focused on hip replacement, with 16 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Watson in New Orleans?
Yes. There are 11 orthopedic surgeons in New Orleans 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 Louisiana surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Watson 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, which puts Dr. Watson's total volume across all insurers at roughly 50 to 60 procedures against the 16 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. Watson's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Watson's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 28 procedures in 2022 and was 16 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. Watson affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Watson is affiliated with Touro Infirmary, East Jefferson General Hospital, Ochsner Medical Center.
How does Dr. Watson compare to other orthopedic surgeons in New Orleans?
Among the 11 orthopedic surgeons in New Orleans, Dr. Watson ranks #10 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in New Orleans has 88 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Watson practices?
Touro Infirmary (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); East Jefferson General Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Ochsner Medical Center (4 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 New Orleans, Louisiana
Dr. Watson's 16 Medicare procedures are below the New Orleans average of 50. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in New Orleans.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Lance Estrada | 88 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Chad Millet | 73 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Willard Moore | 54 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Richard Meyer | 44 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Wesley Clark | 37 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Felix Savoie | 37 | 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.