Dr. Bradley Kuzel, M.D.
Contact & Location
218-786-3520
Duluth, MN 55805
Dr. Kuzel performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 54% of orthopedic surgeons in Minnesota, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #19 of 42 ranked shoulder surgeons in Minnesota.
About Dr. Kuzel
Practice. Dr. Bradley Kuzel is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Duluth, Minnesota. The latest annual CMS data records 20 shoulder replacements. That is #19 in Minnesota for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2016 to 2024, 8 years. Volume peaked at 34 in 2021 and stands at 20 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 20 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Duluth has 12 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Kuzel also holds hospital privileges in MN and WI, a practice that extends beyond Minnesota.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 17 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 34 |
| 2022 | 22 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 20 |
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. Kuzel Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Minnesota state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Kuzel's recorded volume peaked at 34 procedures in 2021 and stood at 20 in the most recent data. Year-to-year variation can reflect changes in payer mix, practice scope, or Medicare billing patterns.
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 practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
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.
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.
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. Kuzel
How does Dr. Kuzel's procedure volume compare to other Minnesota surgeons?
Dr. Kuzel has performed 20 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Minnesota average is 43 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Kuzel ranks #131 out of 187 orthopedic surgeons in Minnesota.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Kuzel perform?
Dr. Kuzel's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 20 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Kuzel with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Kuzel ranks #19 in Minnesota for shoulder replacement with 20 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 187 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Kuzel in Duluth?
Yes. There are 12 orthopedic surgeons in Duluth 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 Minnesota surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Kuzel 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. Kuzel's total volume across all insurers at roughly 50 to 70 procedures against the 20 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. Kuzel's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Kuzel's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 34 procedures in 2021 and was 20 in the most recent data. Volume fluctuations can reflect changes in payer mix, practice focus, or Medicare reporting rather than a change in overall surgical activity.
Which hospitals is Dr. Kuzel affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Kuzel is affiliated with Essentia Health Duluth, Essentia Health Virginia, Ely - Bloomenson Community Hospital, Spooner Health System, Essentia Health St Mary'S Hospital - Superior. Dr. Kuzel maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Kuzel compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Duluth?
Among the 12 orthopedic surgeons in Duluth, Dr. Kuzel ranks #7 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Duluth has 44 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Kuzel practices?
Essentia Health Duluth (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Essentia Health Virginia (3 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 Duluth, Minnesota
Dr. Kuzel's 20 Medicare procedures are below the Duluth average of 33. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Duluth.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Michael Momont | 44 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Joshua Rother | 38 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Rust | 38 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. David Fogarty | 35 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Gibbons | 28 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Samuel Harms | 25 | Hip, Knee |
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.