Dr. John Balbas, M.D.
Contact & Location
918-392-1400
Tulsa, OK 74146
Dr. Balbas performs more knee replacement procedures than 15% of orthopedic surgeons in Oklahoma, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #87 of 103 ranked knee surgeons in Oklahoma.
About Dr. Balbas
Practice. Dr. John Balbas is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The latest annual CMS data records 15 knee replacements. That is #87 in Oklahoma for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 45 in 2017 and stands at 15 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 15 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Tulsa has 28 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 | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 22 | 0 |
| 2014 | 15 | 0 |
| 2015 | 14 | 21 |
| 2016 | 20 | 22 |
| 2017 | 21 | 24 |
| 2018 | 19 | 22 |
| 2019 | 22 | 19 |
| 2020 | 0 | 15 |
| 2021 | 22 | 15 |
| 2022 | 0 | 13 |
| 2023 | 19 | 19 |
| 2024 | 15 | 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 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. Balbas Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Oklahoma state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Balbas's recorded volume peaked at 45 procedures in 2017 and stood at 15 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 Knee Replacement
If you are considering knee replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
An overview of current surgical approaches including robotic-assisted and minimally invasive techniques, implant options, and expected outcomes.
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.
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.
Knee Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after knee replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full knee replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Balbas
How does Dr. Balbas's procedure volume compare to other Oklahoma surgeons?
Dr. Balbas has performed 15 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Oklahoma average is 65 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Balbas ranks #103 out of 119 orthopedic surgeons in Oklahoma.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Balbas perform?
Dr. Balbas's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 15 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Balbas in Tulsa?
Yes. There are 28 orthopedic surgeons in Tulsa 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 Oklahoma surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Balbas 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 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Balbas's total volume across all insurers at roughly 50 to 70 procedures against the 15 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. Balbas's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Balbas's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 45 procedures in 2017 and was 15 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. Balbas affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Balbas is affiliated with Saint Francis Hospital, Inc, Ascension St John Medical Center, Saint Francis Hospital South, Llc, Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee, Saint Francis Hospital Vinita, Inc.
How does Dr. Balbas compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Tulsa?
Among the 28 orthopedic surgeons in Tulsa, Dr. Balbas ranks #25 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Tulsa has 415 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Balbas practices?
Saint Francis Hospital, Inc (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Ascension St John Medical Center (2 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Saint Francis Hospital South, Llc (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 Tulsa, Oklahoma
Dr. Balbas's 15 Medicare procedures are below the Tulsa average of 174. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Tulsa.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Yogesh Mittal | 415 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Sarat Kunapuli | 189 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Justin Reid | 186 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Christopher Browne | 154 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jennifer Peterson | 143 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Chad Crawley | 115 | 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.