Dr. Michael Merz, M.D.
Contact & Location
919-220-5255
Durham, NC 27704
Dr. Merz performs more hip replacement procedures than 75% of orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #42 of 172 ranked hip surgeons in North Carolina.
About Dr. Merz
Practice. Dr. Michael Merz is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Durham, North Carolina. The latest annual CMS data records 41 hip replacements and 35 knee replacements, 76 procedures in all. That is #42 in North Carolina for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2009.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 10 years. Volume peaked at 107 in 2015 and stands at 76 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 41 procedures is near the national average of 36.
Local context. Durham has 15 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 | 50 | 51 |
| 2015 | 44 | 63 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 14 | 20 |
| 2018 | 25 | 15 |
| 2019 | 38 | 38 |
| 2020 | 35 | 28 |
| 2021 | 31 | 56 |
| 2022 | 42 | 39 |
| 2023 | 35 | 39 |
| 2024 | 41 | 35 |
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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee 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. Merz Compares
Procedure volume compared to the North Carolina state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Merz's recorded volume peaked at 107 procedures in 2015 and stood at 76 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 Hip Replacement
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Understanding the progression from conservative treatments to surgical intervention, and how to determine when hip replacement becomes the right choice.
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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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.
Hip Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full hip replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Merz
How does Dr. Merz's procedure volume compare to other North Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Merz has performed 76 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the North Carolina average of 61 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Merz ranks #70 out of 293 orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Merz perform?
Dr. Merz's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (41 cases) and knee replacement (35 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Merz in Durham?
Yes. There are 15 orthopedic surgeons in Durham 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 North Carolina surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Merz 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Merz's total volume across all insurers at roughly 250 to 320 procedures against the 76 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. Merz's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Merz's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 107 procedures in 2015 and was 76 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.
Does Dr. Merz perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Merz's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (41 cases), knee replacement (35 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Merz affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Merz is affiliated with North Carolina Specialty Hospital, Duke University Hospital, Person Memorial Hospital.
How does Dr. Merz compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Durham?
Among the 15 orthopedic surgeons in Durham, Dr. Merz ranks #6 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Durham has 182 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Merz practices?
North Carolina Specialty Hospital (hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Duke University Hospital (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 Durham, North Carolina
Dr. Merz's 76 Medicare procedures are below the Durham average of 117. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Durham.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Michael Bolognesi | 182 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Adam Brekke | 142 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Samuel Wellman | 141 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Richard Rutherford | 115 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Klifto | 98 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Michael Ransone | 62 | 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.