Dr. William Balcom, M.D.
Contact & Location
508-368-3140
Worcester, MA 01608
Dr. Balcom performs more knee replacement procedures than 45% of orthopedic surgeons in Massachusetts, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #88 of 160 ranked knee surgeons in Massachusetts.
About Dr. Balcom
Practice. Dr. William Balcom is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Worcester, Massachusetts. The latest annual CMS data records 34 knee replacements and 25 hip replacements, 59 procedures in all. That is #88 in Massachusetts for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume has held between 52 and 86 procedures a year.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 34 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Worcester has 13 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 | 25 | 32 |
| 2014 | 32 | 44 |
| 2015 | 28 | 41 |
| 2016 | 29 | 56 |
| 2017 | 28 | 52 |
| 2018 | 22 | 63 |
| 2019 | 25 | 61 |
| 2020 | 18 | 34 |
| 2021 | 34 | 42 |
| 2022 | 27 | 45 |
| 2023 | 28 | 41 |
| 2024 | 25 | 34 |
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. Balcom Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Massachusetts state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Balcom's procedure volume has been consistent across 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 52 to 86 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 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.
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.
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 Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
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. Balcom
How does Dr. Balcom's procedure volume compare to other Massachusetts surgeons?
Dr. Balcom has performed 59 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. Balcom ranks #89 out of 203 orthopedic surgeons in Massachusetts.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Balcom perform?
Dr. Balcom's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (34 cases) and hip replacement (25 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Balcom in Worcester?
Yes. There are 13 orthopedic surgeons in Worcester 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. Balcom 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. Balcom's total volume across all insurers at roughly 200 to 250 procedures against the 59 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. Balcom's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Balcom's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 52 to 86 procedures per year between 2013 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Does Dr. Balcom perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Balcom's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (34 cases), hip replacement (25 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Balcom affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Balcom is affiliated with St Vincent Hospital, Umass Memorial Healh - Harrington Hospital.
How does Dr. Balcom compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Worcester?
Among the 13 orthopedic surgeons in Worcester, Dr. Balcom ranks #7 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Worcester has 127 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Balcom practices?
St Vincent Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Umass Memorial Healh - Harrington Hospital (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 Worcester, Massachusetts
Dr. Balcom's 59 Medicare procedures are below the Worcester average of 86. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Worcester.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christopher Vinton | 127 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Nicholas Schraut | 104 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Philip Aurigemma | 85 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Daniel Mandell | 83 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jeffrey Lange | 78 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Steven Disegna | 63 | 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.