Dr. Nathan Howlett, D.O.
Contact & Location
401-777-7000
Warwick, RI 02886
Dr. Howlett performs more knee replacement procedures than 8% of orthopedic surgeons in Rhode Island, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #21 of 23 ranked knee surgeons in Rhode Island.
About Dr. Howlett
Practice. Dr. Nathan Howlett is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Warwick, Rhode Island. The latest annual CMS data records 42 shoulder replacements and 15 knee replacements, 57 procedures in all. That is #3 in Rhode Island for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2014.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2021 to 2024, 4 years. Volume rose from 17 procedures a year to 57, up 235%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 42 procedures is above the national average of 29.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 17 |
| 2022 | 0 | 28 |
| 2023 | 0 | 23 |
| 2024 | 15 | 42 |
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. Howlett Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Rhode Island state average.
See the Top 25 shoulder replacement surgeons in Rhode Island
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Howlett's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 4 years, increasing 235% from 17 procedures in 2021 to 57 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
A step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
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.
Medicare Coverage for Joint ReplacementWhat Medicare Part A and Part B cover for joint replacement surgery, including hospital stays, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and physical therapy.
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. Howlett
How does Dr. Howlett's procedure volume compare to other Rhode Island surgeons?
Dr. Howlett has performed 57 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Rhode Island average of 56 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Howlett ranks #10 out of 28 orthopedic surgeons in Rhode Island.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Howlett perform?
Dr. Howlett's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (42 cases) and knee replacement (15 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Howlett with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Howlett ranks #3 in Rhode Island for shoulder replacement with 42 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 28 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Where is Dr. Howlett's practice located?
Dr. Howlett practices in Warwick, Rhode Island. The office is located at 120 Centerville Rd, Warwick, RI 02886. Patients in the surrounding area can consult Dr. Howlett for joint replacement evaluation.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Howlett 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. Howlett's total volume across all insurers at roughly 170 to 210 procedures against the 57 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. Howlett's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Howlett's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 17 procedures in 2021 to 57 in the most recent data, a 235% increase over 4 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 57 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Howlett perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Howlett's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (42 cases), knee replacement (15 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Howlett affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Howlett is affiliated with South County Hospital Inc, Westerly Hospital, Newport Hospital, Our Lady Of Fatima Hospital, The Miriam Hospital.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Howlett practices?
South County Hospital Inc (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Westerly Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Newport Hospital (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.
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.