Dr. Heather McIntosh, M.D.
Contact & Location
843-884-0302
Charleston, SC 29407
Dr. McIntosh performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 64% of orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #19 of 53 ranked shoulder surgeons in South Carolina.
About Dr. McIntosh
Practice. Dr. Heather McIntosh is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Charleston, South Carolina. The latest annual CMS data records 32 shoulder replacements. That is #19 in South Carolina for shoulder replacement. Dr. McIntosh also holds credentials in Sports Medicine. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2015 to 2024, 9 years. Volume rose from 11 procedures a year to 32, up 191%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 32 procedures is near the national average of 29.
Local context. Charleston has 14 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 | 0 |
| 2015 | 11 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 28 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2021 | 19 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 32 |
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. McIntosh Compares
Procedure volume compared to the South Carolina state average.
See the Top 25 shoulder replacement surgeons in South Carolina
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. McIntosh's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 9 years, increasing 191% from 11 procedures in 2015 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 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. McIntosh
How does Dr. McIntosh's procedure volume compare to other South Carolina surgeons?
Dr. McIntosh has performed 32 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. McIntosh ranks #108 out of 158 orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. McIntosh perform?
Dr. McIntosh's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 32 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. McIntosh with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. McIntosh ranks #19 in South Carolina for shoulder replacement with 32 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 158 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. McIntosh in Charleston?
Yes. There are 14 orthopedic surgeons in Charleston 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. McIntosh 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. McIntosh's total volume across all insurers at roughly 90 to 110 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. McIntosh's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. McIntosh's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 11 procedures in 2015 to 32 in the most recent data, a 191% increase over 9 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 32 procedures in 2024.
Which hospitals is Dr. McIntosh affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. McIntosh is affiliated with Roper Hospital, Bon Secours-St Francis Xavier Hospital, Mount Pleasant Hospital, Roper St Francis Hospital-Berkely Inc.
How does Dr. McIntosh compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Charleston?
Among the 14 orthopedic surgeons in Charleston, Dr. McIntosh ranks #10 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Charleston has 177 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. McIntosh practices?
Roper Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Bon Secours-St Francis Xavier Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars); Mount Pleasant Hospital (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 Charleston, South Carolina
Dr. McIntosh's 32 Medicare procedures are below the Charleston average of 90. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Charleston.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Patrick Murray | 177 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Erik Hansen | 114 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Harry Demos | 100 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Eric Stem | 93 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Robert Lowery | 63 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Josef Eichinger | 52 | Shoulder |
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.