Dr. Rick Gehlert, MD
Contact & Location
Albuquerque, NM 87131
Dr. Rick Gehlert is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Dr. Gehlert has performed 16 Medicare-verified hip replacements, ranking #16 in New Mexico.
In New Mexico, Dr. Gehlert performs below average in hip (16 vs 32 avg).
Dr. Gehlert's Medicare data shows a focused hip replacement practice with 16 verified procedures. Surgeons who concentrate on a single procedure type often develop deep procedural expertise, though total practice volume may include additional procedures not captured in Medicare fee-for-service data.
Albuquerque is home to 24 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Albuquerque area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Gehlert extend back to 2014, covering 10 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 11 to 16 in the most recent data, a 45% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Dr. Gehlert's 16 hip replacement procedures is below the national average of 36 among 4,532 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
Verified Medicare Cases
How is this estimated?
Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims represent approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally (source: CMS data, AJRR). This range estimates the surgeon's total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count above is the definitive, audited figure.
How Dr. Gehlert Compares
Procedure volume compared to the New Mexico state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Gehlert's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 10 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 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.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Joint ReplacementA practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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.
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. Gehlert
How does Dr. Gehlert's procedure volume compare to other New Mexico surgeons?
Dr. Gehlert has performed 16 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The New Mexico average is 56 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Gehlert ranks #38 out of 45 orthopedic surgeons in New Mexico.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Gehlert perform?
Dr. Gehlert's reported Medicare volume is focused on hip replacement, with 16 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Gehlert with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Gehlert ranks #16 in New Mexico for hip replacement with 16 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 45 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Gehlert in Albuquerque?
Yes. There are 24 orthopedic surgeons in Albuquerque 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 Mexico surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Gehlert represent?
The procedure counts shown are based on the most recent Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This captures approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally. Dr. Gehlert's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 16 procedures shown here.
Has Dr. Gehlert's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Gehlert's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 11 procedures in 2014 to 16 in the most recent data, a 45% increase over 10 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 20 procedures in 2019.
Which hospitals is Dr. Gehlert affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Gehlert is affiliated with Unm Hospital, Christus St Vincent Regional Medical Center.
How does Dr. Gehlert compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Albuquerque?
Among the 24 orthopedic surgeons in Albuquerque, Dr. Gehlert ranks #19 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Albuquerque has 155 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Gehlert practices?
Unm Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Christus St Vincent Regional Medical Center (5 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 Albuquerque, New Mexico
Dr. Gehlert's 16 Medicare procedures are below the Albuquerque average of 99. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Albuquerque.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christopher Hanosh | 155 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Krishna Tripuraneni | 153 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Patrick Mulkey | 99 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Joshua Carothers | 98 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Krumme | 89 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Arnold Kiburz | 80 | Knee, Shoulder |
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.