Dr. James Mills, M.D.
Contact & Location
864-482-6000
Seneca, SC 29678
Dr. Mills performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 28% of orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #38 of 53 ranked shoulder surgeons in South Carolina.
About Dr. Mills
Practice. Dr. James Mills is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Seneca, South Carolina. The latest annual CMS data records 15 shoulder replacements. That is #38 in South Carolina for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 50 in 2015 and stands at 15 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 15 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Seneca has 8 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 | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 33 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 38 | 0 |
| 2015 | 14 | 36 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 46 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 37 | 0 |
| 2018 | 11 | 29 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 32 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 27 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 22 | 0 |
| 2022 | 11 | 21 | 0 |
| 2023 | 11 | 20 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
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. Mills Compares
Procedure volume compared to the South Carolina state average.
See the Top 25 shoulder replacement surgeons in South Carolina
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Mills's recorded volume peaked at 50 procedures in 2015 and stood at 15 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.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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. Mills
How does Dr. Mills's procedure volume compare to other South Carolina surgeons?
Dr. Mills has performed 15 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. Mills ranks #139 out of 158 orthopedic surgeons in South Carolina.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Mills perform?
Dr. Mills's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 15 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Mills in Seneca?
Yes. There are 8 orthopedic surgeons in Seneca 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. Mills 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. Mills's total volume across all insurers at roughly 40 to 50 procedures against the 15 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. Mills's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Mills's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 50 procedures in 2015 and was 15 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. Mills affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Mills is affiliated with Prisma Health Oconee Memorial Hospital, Anmed Health.
How does Dr. Mills compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Seneca?
Among the 8 orthopedic surgeons in Seneca, Dr. Mills ranks #7 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Seneca has 57 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Mills practices?
Prisma Health Oconee Memorial Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Anmed Health (4 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Seneca, South Carolina
Dr. Mills's 15 Medicare procedures are below the Seneca average of 28. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Seneca.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Patrick McCallum | 57 | Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Steven Martin | 29 | Knee |
| Dr. William Brown | 27 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Sloboda | 23 | Hip |
| Dr. Nathan Moroski | 23 | Knee |
| Dr. Jeffrey Hensarling | 21 | 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.