Dr. Paul Watson, M.D.
Contact & Location
402-609-3000
Omaha, NE 68144
Dr. Watson performs more hip replacement procedures than 5% of orthopedic surgeons in Nebraska, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #38 of 40 ranked hip surgeons in Nebraska.
About Dr. Watson
Practice. Dr. Paul Watson is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Omaha, Nebraska. The latest annual CMS data records 13 hip replacements. That is #38 in Nebraska for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 11 years. Volume peaked at 34 in 2019 and stands at 13 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 13 procedures is below the national average of 36. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Omaha has 23 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 | 16 | 0 |
| 2015 | 16 | 0 |
| 2016 | 13 | 14 |
| 2017 | 16 | 0 |
| 2018 | 15 | 17 |
| 2019 | 19 | 15 |
| 2020 | 24 | 0 |
| 2021 | 14 | 13 |
| 2022 | 22 | 11 |
| 2023 | 13 | 0 |
| 2024 | 13 | 0 |
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. 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. Watson Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Nebraska state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Watson's recorded volume peaked at 34 procedures in 2019 and stood at 13 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.
Rehabilitation Roadmap: Your Complete Recovery GuideA structured physical therapy progression from the first post-op exercises through full strength and mobility restoration over 3 to 6 months.
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. Watson
How does Dr. Watson's procedure volume compare to other Nebraska surgeons?
Dr. Watson has performed 13 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. Watson ranks #70 out of 72 orthopedic surgeons in Nebraska.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Watson perform?
Dr. Watson's reported Medicare volume is focused on hip replacement, with 13 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Watson in Omaha?
Yes. There are 23 orthopedic surgeons in Omaha 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. Watson 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, which puts Dr. Watson's total volume across all insurers at roughly 40 to 50 procedures against the 13 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. Watson's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Watson's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 34 procedures in 2019 and was 13 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. Watson affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Watson is affiliated with Orthonebraska Hospital, Chi Health Lakeside, Chi Health Immanuel, Chi Health Midlands, Methodist Hospital.
How does Dr. Watson compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Omaha?
Among the 23 orthopedic surgeons in Omaha, Dr. Watson ranks #23 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Omaha has 294 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Watson practices?
Orthonebraska Hospital (insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Chi Health Lakeside (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Chi Health Immanuel (3 out of 5 CMS stars, 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 Omaha, Nebraska
Dr. Watson's 13 Medicare procedures are below the Omaha average of 142. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Omaha.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Sayfe Jassim | 294 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Mark Goebel | 167 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Joshua Urban | 142 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Clayton Thor | 141 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Beau Kildow | 122 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Erik Otterberg | 114 | 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.