Dr. Michael Defrance, D.O.
Contact & Location
207-783-1328
Auburn, ME 04210
Dr. Defrance performs more hip replacement procedures than 32% of orthopedic surgeons in Maine, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #19 of 28 ranked hip surgeons in Maine.
About Dr. Defrance
Dr. Michael Defrance is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Auburn, Maine. A Medicare provider since 2016, Dr. Defrance performed 19 Medicare-verified hip replacements (#19 in Maine) and 16 knee replacements in the latest annual CMS data, for a combined total of 35 procedures.
In Maine, Dr. Defrance performs below the state average in hip (19 vs 31), below the state average in knee (16 vs 44).
Dr. Defrance's reported Medicare volume is split between hip replacements (19 cases) and knee replacements (16 cases).
Auburn is home to 4 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Auburn area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Dr. Defrance first appears in the Medicare dataset in 2024. With 1 year of recorded data, the longitudinal trend is still developing.
Dr. Defrance's 19 hip replacement procedures is below the national average of 36 among 4,532 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Case Volume
Verified Medicare data is available for 1 year: 35 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. Defrance Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Maine state average.
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.
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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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.
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. Defrance
How does Dr. Defrance's procedure volume compare to other Maine surgeons?
Dr. Defrance has performed 35 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Maine average is 52 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Defrance ranks #22 out of 43 orthopedic surgeons in Maine.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Defrance perform?
Dr. Defrance's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (19 cases) and knee replacement (16 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Defrance with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Defrance ranks #19 in Maine for hip replacement with 19 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 43 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Defrance in Auburn?
Yes. There are 4 orthopedic surgeons in Auburn 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 Maine surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Defrance 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. Defrance's total volume across all insurers at roughly 110 to 150 procedures against the 35 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. Defrance perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Defrance's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (19 cases), knee replacement (16 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Defrance affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Defrance is affiliated with Central Maine Medical Center, Bridgton Hospital, Rumford Hospital.
How does Dr. Defrance compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Auburn?
Among the 4 orthopedic surgeons in Auburn, Dr. Defrance ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Defrance has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Defrance practices?
Central Maine Medical Center (4 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 Auburn, Maine
Dr. Defrance's 35 Medicare procedures are above the Auburn average of 20. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Auburn.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Boris Kovalenko | 18 | Knee |
| Dr. Eric Benson | 16 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Mohamed Al Saied | 11 | Hip |
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.