Dr. Joseph Tauro, M.D.
Contact & Location
732-341-6226
Toms River, NJ 08755
Dr. Tauro performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 21% of orthopedic surgeons in New Jersey, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #32 of 41 ranked shoulder surgeons in New Jersey.
About Dr. Tauro
Practice. Dr. Joseph Tauro is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Toms River, New Jersey. The latest annual CMS data records 15 shoulder replacements and 13 knee replacements, 28 procedures in all. That is #32 in New Jersey for shoulder replacement.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 50 in 2016 and stands at 28 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 15 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Toms River 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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| 2014 | 13 | 22 | 0 |
| 2015 | 16 | 21 | 0 |
| 2016 | 14 | 25 | 11 |
| 2017 | 0 | 32 | 0 |
| 2018 | 20 | 25 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| 2020 | 12 | 14 | 11 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| 2022 | 13 | 16 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 | 13 | 15 |
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, 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. Tauro Compares
Procedure volume compared to the New Jersey state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Tauro's recorded volume peaked at 50 procedures in 2016 and stood at 28 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 practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Home Safety: Creating Your Recovery SanctuaryRoom-by-room modifications, equipment recommendations, and fall-prevention strategies to prepare your home for a safe post-surgical recovery.
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. Tauro
How does Dr. Tauro's procedure volume compare to other New Jersey surgeons?
Dr. Tauro has performed 28 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The New Jersey average is 72 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Tauro ranks #121 out of 184 orthopedic surgeons in New Jersey.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Tauro perform?
Dr. Tauro's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (15 cases) and knee replacement (13 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Tauro in Toms River?
Yes. There are 8 orthopedic surgeons in Toms River 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 New Jersey surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Tauro 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, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Tauro's total volume across all insurers at roughly 90 to 110 procedures against the 28 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. Tauro's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Tauro's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 50 procedures in 2016 and was 28 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. Tauro perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Tauro's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (15 cases), knee replacement (13 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Tauro affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Tauro is affiliated with Community Medical Center.
How does Dr. Tauro compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Toms River?
Among the 8 orthopedic surgeons in Toms River, Dr. Tauro ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Toms River has 40 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Tauro practices?
Community Medical Center (1 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 Toms River, New Jersey
Dr. Tauro's 28 Medicare procedures are above the Toms River average of 26. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Toms River.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Erik Larsen | 40 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Karl Blum | 34 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Mark Kasper | 33 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Passariello | 18 | Hip |
| Dr. Robert Nugent | 15 | Hip |
| Dr. David Dickerson | 14 | Hip |
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.