Dr. Nathan Formaini, D.O.
Contact & Location
412-782-3990
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
Dr. Formaini performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 40% of orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #57 of 95 ranked shoulder surgeons in Pennsylvania.
About Dr. Formaini
Practice. Dr. Nathan Formaini is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The latest annual CMS data records 19 shoulder replacements. That is #57 in Pennsylvania for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2009.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2014 to 2024, 7 years. Volume peaked at 63 in 2015 and stands at 19 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 19 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Pittsburgh has 41 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 42 |
| 2015 | 63 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 19 |
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. 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. Formaini Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Pennsylvania state average.
See the Top 25 shoulder replacement surgeons in Pennsylvania
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Formaini's recorded volume peaked at 63 procedures in 2015 and stood at 19 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.
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.
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. Formaini
How does Dr. Formaini's procedure volume compare to other Pennsylvania surgeons?
Dr. Formaini has performed 19 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. Formaini ranks #319 out of 376 orthopedic surgeons in Pennsylvania.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Formaini perform?
Dr. Formaini's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 19 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Formaini in Pittsburgh?
Yes. There are 41 orthopedic surgeons in Pittsburgh 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. Formaini 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, which puts Dr. Formaini's total volume across all insurers at roughly 50 to 70 procedures against the 19 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. Formaini's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Formaini's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 63 procedures in 2015 and was 19 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. Formaini affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Formaini is affiliated with Upmc St Margaret, Allegheny Valley Hospital, Magee Womens Hospital Of Upmc Health System.
How does Dr. Formaini compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Pittsburgh?
Among the 41 orthopedic surgeons in Pittsburgh, Dr. Formaini ranks #38 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Pittsburgh has 203 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Formaini practices?
Upmc St Margaret (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Allegheny Valley Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Magee Womens Hospital Of Upmc Health System (3 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 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Dr. Formaini's 19 Medicare procedures are below the Pittsburgh average of 104. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Pittsburgh.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Bryce Braaksma | 203 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Omalley | 156 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Pagnotto | 124 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Julius Huebner | 77 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Yram Groff | 76 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Eric Yakish | 75 | 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.