Dr. Daniel Heckman, M.D.
Contact & Location
484-526-1735
Bethlehem, PA 18015
Dr. Heckman performs more knee replacement procedures than 13% of orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #267 of 308 ranked knee surgeons in Pennsylvania.
About Dr. Heckman
Practice. Dr. Daniel Heckman is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The latest annual CMS data records 16 knee replacements and 16 shoulder replacements, 32 procedures in all. That is #267 in Pennsylvania for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2007.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 4 years. Volume rose from 13 procedures a year to 32, up 146%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 16 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Bethlehem has 18 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 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 13 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 12 | 0 |
| 2023 | 16 | 0 |
| 2024 | 16 | 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 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 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. Heckman Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Pennsylvania state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Heckman's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 4 years, increasing 146% from 13 procedures in 2014 to 32 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 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.
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.
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.
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. Heckman
How does Dr. Heckman's procedure volume compare to other Pennsylvania surgeons?
Dr. Heckman has performed 32 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Pennsylvania average is 66 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Heckman ranks #250 out of 376 orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Heckman perform?
Dr. Heckman's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (16 cases) and shoulder replacement (16 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Heckman in Bethlehem?
Yes. There are 18 orthopedic surgeons in Bethlehem 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 Pennsylvania surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Heckman 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, 29% to 37% for shoulder replacement, which puts Dr. Heckman's total volume across all insurers at roughly 100 to 120 procedures against the 32 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. Heckman's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Heckman's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 13 procedures in 2014 to 32 in the most recent data, a 146% increase over 4 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 32 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Heckman perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Heckman's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (16 cases), shoulder replacement (16 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Heckman affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Heckman is affiliated with St Luke'S Hospital Bethlehem, St Luke'S Miners Memorial Hospital, St Luke'S Hospital - Upper Bucks Campus, St Luke'S Hospital - Carbon Campus, St Luke'S Hospital - Monroe Campus.
How does Dr. Heckman compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Bethlehem?
Among the 18 orthopedic surgeons in Bethlehem, Dr. Heckman ranks #10 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Bethlehem has 258 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Heckman practices?
St Luke'S Hospital Bethlehem (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); St Luke'S Miners Memorial Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); St Luke'S Hospital - Upper Bucks Campus (4 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 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Dr. Heckman's 32 Medicare procedures are below the Bethlehem average of 119. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Bethlehem.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Thomas Meade | 258 | Knee |
| Dr. Patrick Brogle | 159 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Ferrante | 139 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Chinenye Nwachuku | 116 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Andrew Konopitski | 66 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Wayne Luchetti | 61 | 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.