Dr. Jessica Hart, M.D.
Contact & Location
406-731-8888
Great Falls, MT 59405
Dr. Hart performs more joint replacement procedures than 28% of orthopedic surgeons in Montana, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #28 of 39 orthopedic surgeons in Montana.
About Dr. Hart
Practice. Dr. Jessica Hart is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Great Falls, Montana. The latest annual CMS data records 20 shoulder replacements. That is #6 in Montana for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2013.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2020 to 2024, 5 years. Volume peaked at 42 in 2022 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. Great Falls has 5 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 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 19 |
| 2022 | 42 |
| 2023 | 32 |
| 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. Hart Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Montana state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Hart's recorded volume peaked at 42 procedures in 2022 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:
Evidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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. Hart
How does Dr. Hart's procedure volume compare to other Montana surgeons?
Dr. Hart has performed 20 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Montana average is 81 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Hart ranks #28 out of 39 orthopedic surgeons in Montana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Hart perform?
Dr. Hart'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. Hart with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Hart ranks #6 in Montana for shoulder replacement with 20 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 39 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Hart in Great Falls?
Yes. There are 5 orthopedic surgeons in Great Falls 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 Montana surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Hart 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. Hart'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. Hart's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Hart's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 42 procedures in 2022 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. Hart affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Hart is affiliated with Benefis Hospitals Inc, Intermountain Health St James Hospital, Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center, Billings Clinic Hospital.
How does Dr. Hart compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Great Falls?
Among the 5 orthopedic surgeons in Great Falls, Dr. Hart ranks #5 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Great Falls has 162 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Hart practices?
Benefis Hospitals Inc (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Intermountain Health St James Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional 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 Great Falls, Montana
Dr. Hart's 20 Medicare procedures are below the Great Falls average of 75. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Great Falls.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Jace Bullard | 162 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Gregg Pike | 88 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Andrew Blackman | 78 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Bryant | 27 | 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.