Dr. Michael Baer, M.D.
Contact & Location
651-968-5201
Eagan, MN 55121
Dr. Baer performs more knee replacement procedures than 54% of orthopedic surgeons in Minnesota, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #65 of 144 ranked knee surgeons in Minnesota.
About Dr. Baer
Practice. Dr. Michael Baer is an orthopedic surgeon practicing in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The latest annual CMS data records 26 knee replacements and 22 hip replacements, 48 procedures in all. That is #65 in Minnesota for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2016.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2021 to 2024, 4 years. Volume has held between 35 and 69 procedures a year.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 26 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Minneapolis has 11 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 22 | 23 |
| 2022 | 32 | 37 |
| 2023 | 18 | 17 |
| 2024 | 22 | 26 |
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 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 25% to 33% for hip 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. Baer Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Minnesota state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Baer's procedure volume has been consistent across 4 years of Medicare data, ranging from 35 to 69 procedures per year. This stability suggests a well-established joint replacement practice.
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 Knee Replacement
If you are considering knee replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
An overview of current surgical approaches including robotic-assisted and minimally invasive techniques, implant options, and expected outcomes.
Prehabilitation: Preparing Your Body for SurgeryEvidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week ExpectationsA detailed week-by-week guide covering pain levels, mobility milestones, physical therapy progression, and when to expect a return to daily activities.
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.
Knee Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after knee replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full knee replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Baer
How does Dr. Baer's procedure volume compare to other Minnesota surgeons?
Dr. Baer has performed 48 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Minnesota average of 43 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Baer ranks #61 out of 187 orthopedic surgeons in Minnesota.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Baer perform?
Dr. Baer's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (26 cases) and hip replacement (22 cases).
Where is Dr. Baer's practice located?
Dr. Baer's current practice address is in Eagan, MN. That address is the current practice address in Dr. Baer's own CMS NPPES registry entry, which providers maintain themselves. The Medicare claims data used for the rankings on this page was billed from Minneapolis, Minnesota.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Baer 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 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Baer's total volume across all insurers at roughly 160 to 200 procedures against the 48 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. Baer's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Baer's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 4 years of Medicare data, ranging from 35 to 69 procedures per year between 2021 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Does Dr. Baer perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Baer's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (26 cases), hip replacement (22 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Baer affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Baer is affiliated with Maple Grove Hospital, M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital, M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital, M Health Fairview St John'S Hospital.
How does Dr. Baer compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Minneapolis?
Among the 11 orthopedic surgeons in Minneapolis, Dr. Baer ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Baer is among the highest-volume surgeons in Minneapolis.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Baer practices?
Maple Grove Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); M Health Fairview Ridges 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 Minneapolis, Minnesota
Dr. Baer's 48 Medicare procedures are above the Minneapolis average of 39. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Minneapolis.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Patrick Horst | 55 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Nemanich | 49 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Paul Hoogervorst | 41 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Patrick Morgan | 34 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Alicia Harrison | 25 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Kirk Aadalen | 19 | 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.