Dr. Carey Politzer, M.D.
Contact & Location
301-530-1010
Bethesda, MD 20817
San Diego, CA 92103
Dr. Politzer performs more hip replacement procedures than 75% of orthopedic surgeons in Maryland, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #22 of 89 ranked hip surgeons in Maryland.
About Dr. Politzer
Practice. Dr. Carey Politzer is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Bethesda, Maryland. The latest annual CMS data records 54 hip replacements and 47 knee replacements, 101 procedures in all. That is #22 in Maryland for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2018.
Trend. Dr. Politzer first appears in the Medicare data in 2023. With 2 years on record, the trend is still short.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 54 procedures is above the national average of 36.
Local context. Bethesda has 11 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Politzer also holds hospital privileges in MD and DC and VA, a practice that extends beyond Maryland.
Verified Case Volume
Verified Medicare data is available for 2 years: 41 procedures in 2023 and 101 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee 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. Politzer Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Maryland state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Politzer 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 Hip Replacement
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Understanding the progression from conservative treatments to surgical intervention, and how to determine when hip replacement becomes the right choice.
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.
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.
Hip Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full hip replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Politzer
How does Dr. Politzer's procedure volume compare to other Maryland surgeons?
Dr. Politzer has performed 101 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Maryland average of 71 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Politzer ranks #33 out of 166 orthopedic surgeons in Maryland.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Politzer perform?
Dr. Politzer's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (54 cases) and knee replacement (47 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Politzer in Bethesda?
Yes. There are 11 orthopedic surgeons in Bethesda 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 Maryland surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Politzer 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Politzer's total volume across all insurers at roughly 330 to 420 procedures against the 101 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. Politzer perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Politzer's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (54 cases), knee replacement (47 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Politzer affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Politzer is affiliated with Suburban Hospital, Sibley Memorial Hospital, Virginia Hospital Center. Dr. Politzer maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Politzer compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Bethesda?
Among the 11 orthopedic surgeons in Bethesda, Dr. Politzer ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Politzer is among the highest-volume surgeons in Bethesda.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Politzer practices?
Suburban Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Sibley Memorial Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Virginia Hospital Center (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 Bethesda, Maryland
Dr. Politzer's 101 Medicare procedures are below the Bethesda average of 142. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Bethesda.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christopher Cannova | 397 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Sridhar Durbhakula | 230 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Shian Peterson | 78 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Min Lu | 75 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kurt Schluntz | 67 | Knee |
| Dr. Craig Miller | 45 | Shoulder |
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.