Dr. Carey Politzer, MD
Dr. Carey Politzer is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Bethesda, Maryland. A Medicare provider since 2018, Dr. Politzer has performed 23 Medicare-verified hip replacements (#61 in Maryland) and 18 knee replacements, for a combined total of 41 procedures.
In Maryland, Dr. Politzer performs below average in hip (23 vs 40 avg), below average in knee (18 vs 50 avg).
Dr. Politzer's reported Medicare volume is split between hip replacements (23 cases) and knee replacements (18 cases).
Bethesda is home to 9 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Bethesda area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs. Dr. Politzer also maintains hospital privileges in MD and DC, indicating a regional practice that extends beyond Maryland.
Dr. Politzer first appears in the Medicare dataset in 2023. With 1 year of recorded data, the longitudinal trend is still developing.
Dr. Politzer's 23 hip replacement procedures is below the national average of 36 among 4,526 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Medicare Cases
How is this estimated?
Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims represent approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally (source: CMS data, AJRR). This range estimates the surgeon's total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count above is the definitive, audited figure.
How Dr. Politzer Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Maryland state average.
Contact & Location
Bethesda, MD 20817
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
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 41 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Maryland average is 72 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Politzer ranks #91 out of 161 orthopedic surgeons in Maryland.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Politzer perform?
Dr. Politzer's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (23 cases) and knee replacement (18 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Politzer in Bethesda?
Yes. There are 9 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 the most recent Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This captures approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally. Dr. Politzer's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 41 procedures shown here.
Does Dr. Politzer perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Politzer's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (23 cases), knee replacement (18 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. 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 9 orthopedic surgeons in Bethesda, Dr. Politzer ranks #5 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Bethesda has 361 verified Medicare procedures.
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). 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 41 Medicare procedures are below the Bethesda average of 114. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Bethesda.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christopher Cannova | 361 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Sridhar Durbhakula | 215 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kurt Schluntz | 58 | Knee |
| Dr. Min Lu | 47 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Timothy Bhattacharyya | 38 | Hip |
| Dr. Craig Miller | 38 | Shoulder |
Patient Reviews & Ratings
OrthoProcedures.com focuses on verified Medicare procedure data. For patient reviews, ratings, and appointment scheduling, visit these trusted platforms:
These links lead to third-party websites. OrthoProcedures.com is not affiliated with these platforms and cannot verify the accuracy of reviews.