Dr. John Michelotti, M.D.
Contact & Location
406-457-4100
Helena, MT 59601
Dr. Michelotti performs more joint replacement procedures than 2% of orthopedic surgeons in Montana, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #38 of 39 orthopedic surgeons in Montana.
About Dr. Michelotti
Practice. Dr. John Michelotti is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Helena, Montana. The latest annual CMS data records 14 shoulder replacements. That is #14 in Montana for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Dr. Michelotti 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, 14 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Helena 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
Verified Medicare data is available for 1 year: 14 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. Michelotti Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Montana 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:
A practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
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.
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. Michelotti
How does Dr. Michelotti's procedure volume compare to other Montana surgeons?
Dr. Michelotti has performed 14 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. Michelotti ranks #38 out of 39 orthopedic surgeons in Montana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Michelotti perform?
Dr. Michelotti's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 14 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Michelotti with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Michelotti ranks #14 in Montana for shoulder replacement with 14 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 39 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Michelotti in Helena?
Yes. There are 5 orthopedic surgeons in Helena 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. Michelotti 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. Michelotti's total volume across all insurers at roughly 40 to 50 procedures against the 14 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. Michelotti affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Michelotti is affiliated with St Peters Health.
How does Dr. Michelotti compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Helena?
Among the 5 orthopedic surgeons in Helena, Dr. Michelotti ranks #5 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Helena has 168 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Michelotti practices?
St Peters Health (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 Helena, Montana
Dr. Michelotti's 14 Medicare procedures are below the Helena average of 52. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Helena.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Kerry Hale | 168 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Peter Hanson | 43 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jeffrey Dickson | 18 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Erik Bergquist | 16 | 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.