Contact & Location
989-583-7450
Saginaw, MI 48602
Dr. Schmucker performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 29% of orthopedic surgeons in Michigan, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #41 of 58 ranked shoulder surgeons in Michigan.
About Dr. Schmucker
Practice. Dr. Alex Schmucker is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Saginaw, Michigan. The latest annual CMS data records 15 shoulder replacements. That is #41 in Michigan for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2019.
Trend. Dr. Schmucker first appears in the Medicare data in 2024. With 1 year on record, the trend is still short.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 15 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Saginaw has 8 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Schmucker also holds hospital privileges in MI and MD, a practice that extends beyond Michigan.
Verified Case Volume
Verified Medicare data is available for 1 year: 15 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 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. Schmucker Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Michigan 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Evidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
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 Bundled Payment Programs for Joint ReplacementHow bundled payment models affect your joint replacement costs and care coordination, and what it means for hospital and surgeon selection.
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. Schmucker
How does Dr. Schmucker's procedure volume compare to other Michigan surgeons?
Dr. Schmucker has performed 15 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Michigan average is 49 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Schmucker ranks #227 out of 256 orthopedic surgeons in Michigan.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Schmucker perform?
Dr. Schmucker's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 15 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Schmucker in Saginaw?
Yes. There are 8 orthopedic surgeons in Saginaw 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 Michigan surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Schmucker 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. Schmucker's total volume across all insurers at roughly 40 to 50 procedures against the 15 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.
Which hospitals is Dr. Schmucker affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Schmucker is affiliated with Covenant Medical Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital, The. Dr. Schmucker maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Schmucker compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Saginaw?
Among the 8 orthopedic surgeons in Saginaw, Dr. Schmucker ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Saginaw has 52 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Schmucker practices?
Covenant Medical Center (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Johns Hopkins Hospital, The (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 Saginaw, Michigan
Dr. Schmucker's 15 Medicare procedures are below the Saginaw average of 24. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Saginaw.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Jared Weir | 52 | Knee |
| Dr. Brian De Beaubien | 45 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jeffrey Osborne | 20 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Danielle Duncan | 14 | Knee |
| Dr. Joshua Bindon | 13 | Hip |
| Dr. Tarek Taha | 12 | 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.