Dr. Thomas Holovacs, M.D.
Contact & Location
617-726-0298
Boston, MA 02114
Dr. Holovacs performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 63% of orthopedic surgeons in Massachusetts, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #17 of 46 ranked shoulder surgeons in Massachusetts.
About Dr. Holovacs
Practice. Dr. Thomas Holovacs is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Boston, Massachusetts. The latest annual CMS data records 36 shoulder replacements. That is #17 in Massachusetts for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume has held between 22 and 44 procedures a year.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 36 procedures is above the national average of 29.
Local context. Boston has 50 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 41 |
| 2014 | 29 |
| 2015 | 44 |
| 2016 | 40 |
| 2017 | 41 |
| 2018 | 26 |
| 2019 | 33 |
| 2020 | 26 |
| 2021 | 22 |
| 2022 | 33 |
| 2023 | 27 |
| 2024 | 36 |
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. Holovacs Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Massachusetts state average.
See the Top 25 shoulder replacement surgeons in Massachusetts
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Holovacs's procedure volume has been consistent across 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 22 to 44 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Evidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
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.
Medicare Bundled Payment Programs for Joint ReplacementHow bundled payment models affect your joint replacement costs and care coordination, and what it means for hospital and surgeon selection.
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. Holovacs
How does Dr. Holovacs's procedure volume compare to other Massachusetts surgeons?
Dr. Holovacs has performed 36 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Massachusetts average is 74 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Holovacs ranks #131 out of 203 orthopedic surgeons in Massachusetts.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Holovacs perform?
Dr. Holovacs's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 36 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Holovacs with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Holovacs ranks #17 in Massachusetts for shoulder replacement with 36 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 203 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Holovacs 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. Holovacs 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. Holovacs's total volume across all insurers at roughly 100 to 120 procedures against the 36 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. Holovacs's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Holovacs's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 22 to 44 procedures per year between 2013 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Which hospitals is Dr. Holovacs affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Holovacs is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital, South Shore Hospital, Brigham And Women'S Hospital.
How does Dr. Holovacs compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Boston?
Among the 50 orthopedic surgeons in Boston, Dr. Holovacs ranks #41 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. Holovacs practices?
Massachusetts General Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); South Shore Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Brigham And Women'S Hospital (5 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 Boston, Massachusetts
Dr. Holovacs's 36 Medicare procedures are below the Boston average of 185. 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.