Dr. Nathan Cohen, M.D.
Contact & Location
337-494-4900
Lake Charles, LA 70601
Dr. Cohen performs more knee replacement procedures than 85% of orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #12 of 85 ranked knee surgeons in Louisiana.
About Dr. Cohen
Practice. Dr. Nathan Cohen is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The latest annual CMS data records 70 knee replacements and 17 hip replacements, 87 procedures in all. That is #12 in Louisiana for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 164 in 2015 and stands at 87 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 70 procedures is above the national average of 45.
Local context. Lake Charles 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 | 41 | 116 |
| 2014 | 36 | 107 |
| 2015 | 38 | 126 |
| 2016 | 23 | 103 |
| 2017 | 31 | 91 |
| 2018 | 34 | 89 |
| 2019 | 24 | 82 |
| 2020 | 21 | 53 |
| 2021 | 17 | 70 |
| 2022 | 18 | 83 |
| 2023 | 14 | 69 |
| 2024 | 17 | 70 |
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. 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. Cohen Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Louisiana state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Cohen's recorded volume peaked at 164 procedures in 2015 and stood at 87 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 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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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. Cohen
How does Dr. Cohen's procedure volume compare to other Louisiana surgeons?
Dr. Cohen has performed 87 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is significantly above the Louisiana average of 54 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Cohen ranks #20 out of 104 orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Cohen perform?
Dr. Cohen's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (70 cases) and hip replacement (17 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Cohen with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Cohen ranks #12 in Louisiana for knee replacement with 70 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 104 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Cohen in Lake Charles?
Yes. There are 11 orthopedic surgeons in Lake Charles 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. Cohen 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, which puts Dr. Cohen's total volume across all insurers at roughly 300 to 370 procedures against the 87 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. Cohen's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Cohen's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 164 procedures in 2015 and was 87 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.
Does Dr. Cohen perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Cohen's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (70 cases), hip replacement (17 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Cohen affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Cohen is affiliated with Lake Charles Memorial Hospital.
How does Dr. Cohen compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Lake Charles?
Among the 11 orthopedic surgeons in Lake Charles, Dr. Cohen ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Cohen is among the highest-volume surgeons in Lake Charles.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Cohen practices?
Lake Charles Memorial Hospital (4 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 Lake Charles, Louisiana
Dr. Cohen's 87 Medicare procedures are above the Lake Charles average of 68. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Lake Charles.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Steven Hale | 106 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Garitty | 84 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jonathan Foret | 75 | Knee |
| Dr. Charles Hansen | 57 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. George Trappey | 37 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Michael Hinton | 33 | 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.