Dr. Nolan May, M.D.
Contact & Location
308-865-2570
Kearney, NE 68845
Dr. May performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 20% of orthopedic surgeons in Nebraska, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #19 of 24 ranked shoulder surgeons in Nebraska.
About Dr. May
Practice. Dr. Nolan May is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Kearney, Nebraska. The latest annual CMS data records 16 shoulder replacements. That is #19 in Nebraska for shoulder replacement. Dr. May also holds credentials in Sports Medicine. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 7 years. Volume rose from 11 procedures a year to 16, up 45%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 16 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Kearney has 3 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 | 11 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 19 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 16 |
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. May Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Nebraska state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. May's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 7 years, increasing 45% from 11 procedures in 2014 to 16 in the most recent data.
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.
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.
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. May
How does Dr. May's procedure volume compare to other Nebraska surgeons?
Dr. May has performed 16 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Nebraska average is 81 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. May ranks #67 out of 72 orthopedic surgeons in Nebraska.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. May perform?
Dr. May's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 16 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. May with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. May ranks #19 in Nebraska for shoulder replacement with 16 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 72 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. May in Kearney?
Yes. There are 3 orthopedic surgeons in Kearney 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 Nebraska surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. May 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. May's total volume across all insurers at roughly 40 to 60 procedures against the 16 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. May's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. May's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 11 procedures in 2014 to 16 in the most recent data, a 45% increase over 7 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 19 procedures in 2016.
Which hospitals is Dr. May affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. May is affiliated with Kearney Regional Medical Center, Harlan County Health System, Valley County Health System, Community Hospital, Chi Health Good Samaritan.
How does Dr. May compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Kearney?
Among the 3 orthopedic surgeons in Kearney, Dr. May ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. May is among the highest-volume surgeons in Kearney.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. May practices?
Kearney Regional Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Valley County Health System (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 Kearney, Nebraska
Dr. May's 16 Medicare procedures are below the Kearney average of 151. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Kearney.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. John Wright | 292 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Ryan Deblis | 144 | 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.