Dr. Alex Collins, D.O.
Contact & Location
803-265-8117
Aiken, SC 29803
Dr. Collins performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 11% of orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #47 of 53 ranked shoulder surgeons in South Carolina.
About Dr. Collins
Practice. Dr. Alex Collins is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Aiken, South Carolina. The latest annual CMS data records 13 shoulder replacements. That is #47 in South Carolina for shoulder replacement. Dr. Collins also holds credentials in Sports Medicine. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 8 years. Volume peaked at 35 in 2015 and stands at 13 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 13 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Aiken has 4 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Collins also holds hospital privileges in GA and SC, a practice that extends beyond South Carolina.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 20 | 0 |
| 2014 | 20 | 0 |
| 2015 | 22 | 13 |
| 2016 | 27 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 12 | 0 |
| 2019 | 13 | 0 |
| 2020 | 17 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 | 13 |
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. Collins Compares
Procedure volume compared to the South Carolina state average.
See the Top 25 shoulder replacement surgeons in South Carolina
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Collins's recorded volume peaked at 35 procedures in 2015 and stood at 13 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 step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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. Collins
How does Dr. Collins's procedure volume compare to other South Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Collins has performed 13 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The South Carolina average is 76 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Collins ranks #147 out of 158 orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Collins perform?
Dr. Collins's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 13 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Collins in Aiken?
Yes. There are 4 orthopedic surgeons in Aiken 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 South Carolina surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Collins 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. Collins's total volume across all insurers at roughly 40 to 40 procedures against the 13 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. Collins's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Collins's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 35 procedures in 2015 and was 13 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. Collins affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Collins is affiliated with Piedmont Augusta Hospital, Piedmont Mcduffie Hospital, Aiken Regional Medical Center. Dr. Collins maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Collins compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Aiken?
Among the 4 orthopedic surgeons in Aiken, Dr. Collins ranks #4 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Aiken has 73 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Collins practices?
Piedmont Augusta Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Piedmont Mcduffie Hospital (insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Aiken Regional Medical Center (1 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 Aiken, South Carolina
Dr. Collins's 13 Medicare procedures are below the Aiken average of 37. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Aiken.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Edward Crosland | 73 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Richard Massie | 42 | Knee |
| Dr. Evan Ekman | 18 | 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.