Dr. Robert Kay, MD
Contact & Location
617-724-8801
Boston, MA 02114
Torrance, CA 90502
Dr. Kay performs more knee replacement procedures than 71% of orthopedic surgeons in Massachusetts, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #45 of 160 ranked knee surgeons in Massachusetts.
About Dr. Kay
Dr. Robert Kay is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Boston, Massachusetts. A Medicare provider since 2018, Dr. Kay performed 61 Medicare-verified knee replacements (#45 in Massachusetts) and 39 hip replacements in the latest annual CMS data, for a combined total of 100 procedures.
In Massachusetts, Dr. Kay performs above the state average in knee (61 vs 50), near the state average in hip (39 vs 44).
Dr. Kay's reported Medicare volume is split between knee replacements (61 cases) and hip replacements (39 cases).
Boston is home to 50 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Boston area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Dr. Kay first appears in the Medicare dataset in 2023. With 2 years of recorded data, the longitudinal trend is still developing.
Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, Dr. Kay's 61 verified procedures is above the national average of 45.
Verified Case Volume
Verified Medicare data is available for 2 years: 57 procedures in 2023 and 100 procedures in the most recent reporting year. A multi-year trend chart is shown once at least 3 years of data are available.
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. Kay Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Massachusetts state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Kay has 2 years of Medicare procedure data beginning in 2023. Additional years of data will provide a clearer picture of volume trends.
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 Massachusetts surgeons?
Dr. Kay has performed 100 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Massachusetts average of 74 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Kay ranks #57 out of 203 orthopedic surgeons in Massachusetts.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Kay perform?
Dr. Kay's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (61 cases) and hip replacement (39 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Kay in Boston?
Yes. There are 50 orthopedic surgeons in Boston 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 Massachusetts 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, which puts Dr. Kay's total volume across all insurers at roughly 340 to 420 procedures against the 100 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.
Does Dr. Kay perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Kay's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (61 cases), hip replacement (39 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Kay affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Kay is affiliated with Kaiser Foundation Hospital Fontana. Dr. Kay maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Kay compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Boston?
Among the 50 orthopedic surgeons in Boston, Dr. Kay ranks #21 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Boston has 305 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Kay practices?
Kaiser Foundation Hospital Fontana (3 out of 5 CMS stars). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Boston, Massachusetts
Dr. Kay's 100 Medicare procedures are below the Boston average of 194. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Boston.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Carl Talmo | 305 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Young-Min Kwon | 235 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James Bono | 204 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Nicholas Pagani | 178 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Eric Smith | 170 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Dennis Burke | 169 | 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.