Dr. Thomas Owen, M.D.
Contact & Location
406-237-5050
Billings, MT 59101
Dr. Owen performs more joint replacement procedures than 25% of orthopedic surgeons in Montana, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #29 of 39 orthopedic surgeons in Montana.
About Dr. Owen
Practice. Dr. Thomas Owen is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Billings, Montana. The latest annual CMS data records 20 shoulder replacements. That is #7 in Montana for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2008.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 11 years. Volume peaked at 36 in 2019 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. Billings has 8 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 | 16 |
| 2015 | 27 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2018 | 23 |
| 2019 | 36 |
| 2020 | 28 |
| 2021 | 32 |
| 2022 | 27 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 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. Owen Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Montana state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Owen's recorded volume peaked at 36 procedures in 2019 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 step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
Medicare Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
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. Owen
How does Dr. Owen's procedure volume compare to other Montana surgeons?
Dr. Owen 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. Owen ranks #29 out of 39 orthopedic surgeons in Montana.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Owen perform?
Dr. Owen'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. Owen with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Owen ranks #7 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. Owen in Billings?
Yes. There are 8 orthopedic surgeons in Billings 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. Owen 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. Owen'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. Owen's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Owen's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 36 procedures in 2019 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. Owen affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Owen is affiliated with Intermountain Health St Vincent Regional Hospital, Sidney Health Center, Beartooth Billings Clinic, Holy Rosary Healthcare.
How does Dr. Owen compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Billings?
Among the 8 orthopedic surgeons in Billings, Dr. Owen ranks #7 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Billings has 255 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Owen practices?
Intermountain Health St Vincent Regional Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Sidney Health Center (5 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 Billings, Montana
Dr. Owen's 20 Medicare procedures are below the Billings average of 127. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Billings.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Michael Groover | 255 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Zachary Scheer | 246 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Steven Fischer | 118 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Matthew Kopplin | 116 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Steven Klepps | 105 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Guy Schmidt | 29 | 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.