Dr. Eric Lerche, D.O.
Contact & Location
231-935-0957
Traverse City, MI 49684
Traverse City, MI 49684
Winston Salem, NC 27157
Elmira, MI 49730
Traverse City, MI 49684
Dr. Lerche performs more hip replacement procedures than 70% of orthopedic surgeons in Michigan, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #42 of 140 ranked hip surgeons in Michigan.
About Dr. Lerche
Practice. Dr. Eric Lerche is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Traverse City, Michigan. The latest annual CMS data records 34 hip replacements and 30 knee replacements, 64 procedures in all. That is #42 in Michigan for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2009.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2016 to 2024, 9 years. Volume rose from 33 procedures a year to 64, up 94%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 34 procedures is near the national average of 36.
Local context. Traverse City has 13 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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 15 | 0 | 18 |
| 2017 | 20 | 32 | 11 |
| 2018 | 43 | 18 | 11 |
| 2019 | 32 | 26 | 15 |
| 2020 | 41 | 22 | 19 |
| 2021 | 32 | 17 | 23 |
| 2022 | 29 | 33 | 19 |
| 2023 | 32 | 32 | 0 |
| 2024 | 34 | 30 | 0 |
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. Lerche Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Michigan state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Lerche's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 9 years, increasing 94% from 33 procedures in 2016 to 64 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 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.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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. Lerche
How does Dr. Lerche's procedure volume compare to other Michigan surgeons?
Dr. Lerche has performed 64 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Michigan average of 49 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Lerche ranks #68 out of 256 orthopedic surgeons in Michigan.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Lerche perform?
Dr. Lerche's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (34 cases) and knee replacement (30 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Lerche in Traverse City?
Yes. There are 13 orthopedic surgeons in Traverse City 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. Lerche 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. Lerche's total volume across all insurers at roughly 210 to 270 procedures against the 64 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. Lerche's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Lerche's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 33 procedures in 2016 to 64 in the most recent data, a 94% increase over 9 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 82 procedures in 2020.
Does Dr. Lerche perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Lerche's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (34 cases), knee replacement (30 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Lerche affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Lerche is affiliated with Munson Medical Center, Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital, Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital, Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital, Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital.
How does Dr. Lerche compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Traverse City?
Among the 13 orthopedic surgeons in Traverse City, Dr. Lerche ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Traverse City has 107 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Lerche practices?
Munson Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital (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 Traverse City, Michigan
Dr. Lerche's 64 Medicare procedures are below the Traverse City average of 65. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Traverse City.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Todd Galdes | 107 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. William Austin | 71 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Brent Wiersema | 67 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Peters | 58 | Knee |
| Dr. Justin Hollander | 49 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Chuinard | 39 | 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.