Dr. Nickos Hatzis, M.D.
Contact & Location
225-924-2424
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Dr. Hatzis performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 80% of orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #5 of 25 ranked shoulder surgeons in Louisiana.
About Dr. Hatzis
Practice. Dr. Nickos Hatzis is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The latest annual CMS data records 44 shoulder replacements. That is #5 in Louisiana for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 34 procedures a year to 44, up 29%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 44 procedures is above the national average of 29.
Local context. Baton Rouge has 14 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Hatzis also holds hospital privileges in LA and MS, a practice that extends beyond Louisiana.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 34 |
| 2014 | 41 |
| 2015 | 17 |
| 2016 | 43 |
| 2017 | 27 |
| 2018 | 48 |
| 2019 | 52 |
| 2020 | 42 |
| 2021 | 43 |
| 2022 | 37 |
| 2023 | 55 |
| 2024 | 44 |
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. Hatzis Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Louisiana state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Hatzis's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 29% from 34 procedures in 2013 to 44 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
A practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
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.
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.
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. Hatzis
How does Dr. Hatzis's procedure volume compare to other Louisiana surgeons?
Dr. Hatzis has performed 44 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Louisiana average of 54 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Hatzis ranks #47 out of 104 orthopedic surgeons in Louisiana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Hatzis perform?
Dr. Hatzis's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 44 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Hatzis with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Hatzis ranks #5 in Louisiana for shoulder replacement with 44 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 104 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Hatzis in Baton Rouge?
Yes. There are 14 orthopedic surgeons in Baton Rouge 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. Hatzis 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. Hatzis's total volume across all insurers at roughly 120 to 150 procedures against the 44 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. Hatzis's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Hatzis's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 34 procedures in 2013 to 44 in the most recent data, a 29% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 55 procedures in 2023.
Which hospitals is Dr. Hatzis affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Hatzis is affiliated with Surgical Specialty Center Of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge General Medical Center, Merit Health Natchez, Fmol Health | Our Lady Of The Lake, Lane Regional Medical Center. Dr. Hatzis maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Hatzis compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Baton Rouge?
Among the 14 orthopedic surgeons in Baton Rouge, Dr. Hatzis ranks #6 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Baton Rouge has 138 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Hatzis practices?
Surgical Specialty Center Of Baton Rouge (hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Baton Rouge General Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Merit Health Natchez (2 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 Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Dr. Hatzis's 44 Medicare procedures are below the Baton Rouge average of 69. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Baton Rouge.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Robert Easton | 138 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Craig Greene | 85 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Albert Bankston | 61 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Joseph Broyles | 59 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jared Braud | 57 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Whatley | 41 | 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.