Dr. Sarah Shubert, M.D.
Contact & Location
207-797-4791
Portland, ME 04103
Dr. Shubert performs more joint replacement procedures than 20% of orthopedic surgeons in Maine, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #34 of 43 orthopedic surgeons in Maine.
About Dr. Shubert
Practice. Dr. Sarah Shubert is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Portland, Maine. The latest annual CMS data records 18 shoulder replacements. That is #7 in Maine for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 10 years. Volume rose from 11 procedures a year to 18, up 64%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 18 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Portland has 6 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 | 0 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 18 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2021 | 22 |
| 2022 | 19 |
| 2023 | 22 |
| 2024 | 18 |
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. Shubert Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Maine state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Shubert's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 10 years, increasing 64% from 11 procedures in 2014 to 18 in the most recent data.
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:
A 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.
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. Shubert
How does Dr. Shubert's procedure volume compare to other Maine surgeons?
Dr. Shubert has performed 18 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. Shubert ranks #34 out of 43 orthopedic surgeons in Maine.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Shubert perform?
Dr. Shubert's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 18 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Shubert with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Shubert ranks #7 in Maine for shoulder replacement with 18 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 43 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Shubert in Portland?
Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in Portland 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. Shubert 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. Shubert's total volume across all insurers at roughly 50 to 60 procedures against the 18 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. Shubert's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Shubert's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 11 procedures in 2014 to 18 in the most recent data, a 64% increase over 10 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 22 procedures in 2021.
Which hospitals is Dr. Shubert affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Shubert is affiliated with Northern Light Mercy Hospital, Mainehealth Maine Medical Center.
How does Dr. Shubert compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Portland?
Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in Portland, Dr. Shubert ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Portland has 64 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Shubert practices?
Northern Light Mercy Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Mainehealth Maine Medical Center (4 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 Portland, Maine
Dr. Shubert's 18 Medicare procedures are below the Portland average of 31. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Portland.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Michael Newman | 64 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Wayne Piers | 38 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James Kuhn | 37 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Stephen Barr | 15 | Hip |
| Dr. Bryce Wolf | 15 | 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.