Dr. Matthew Higgins, M.D.
Contact & Location
423-778-4900
Chattanooga, TN 37403
Dr. Higgins performs more hip replacement procedures than 96% of orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #4 of 119 ranked hip surgeons in Tennessee.
About Dr. Higgins
Practice. Dr. Matthew Higgins is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The latest annual CMS data records 96 hip replacements and 75 knee replacements, 171 procedures in all. That is #4 in Tennessee for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2009.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2016 to 2024, 9 years. Volume rose from 20 procedures a year to 171, up 755%.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 96 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 36. That is #192 nationally.
Local context. Chattanooga has 18 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Higgins also holds hospital privileges in TN and GA, a practice that extends beyond Tennessee.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 20 | 0 |
| 2017 | 18 | 14 |
| 2018 | 46 | 28 |
| 2019 | 57 | 32 |
| 2020 | 60 | 33 |
| 2021 | 48 | 41 |
| 2022 | 82 | 42 |
| 2023 | 93 | 80 |
| 2024 | 96 | 75 |
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 25% to 33% for hip 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. Higgins Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Tennessee state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Higgins's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 9 years, increasing 755% from 20 procedures in 2016 to 171 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 Hip Replacement
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Understanding the progression from conservative treatments to surgical intervention, and how to determine when hip replacement becomes the right choice.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Joint ReplacementA practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
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.
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.
Hip Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after hip replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full hip replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Higgins
How does Dr. Higgins's procedure volume compare to other Tennessee surgeons?
Dr. Higgins has performed 171 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the Tennessee average of 65 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Higgins ranks #11 out of 219 orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Higgins perform?
Dr. Higgins's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (96 cases) and knee replacement (75 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Higgins with hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Higgins ranks #4 in Tennessee for hip replacement with 96 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 219 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Higgins in Chattanooga?
Yes. There are 18 orthopedic surgeons in Chattanooga 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 Tennessee surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Higgins 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 25% to 33% for hip replacement, 23% to 28% for knee replacement, which puts Dr. Higgins's total volume across all insurers at roughly 560 to 710 procedures against the 171 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. Higgins's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Higgins's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 20 procedures in 2016 to 171 in the most recent data, a 755% increase over 9 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 173 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Higgins perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Higgins's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (96 cases), knee replacement (75 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Higgins affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Higgins is affiliated with Erlanger Health System, Parkridge Medical Center, Hamilton Medical Center, Adventhealth Murray, Memorial Healthcare System, Inc. Dr. Higgins maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Higgins compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Chattanooga?
Among the 18 orthopedic surgeons in Chattanooga, Dr. Higgins ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Higgins is among the highest-volume surgeons in Chattanooga.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Higgins practices?
Erlanger Health System (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Parkridge Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Hamilton Medical Center (2 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 Chattanooga, Tennessee
Dr. Higgins's 171 Medicare procedures are above the Chattanooga average of 157. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Chattanooga.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. William Ballard | 311 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Nash | 200 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kristopher Sanders | 135 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jason Rogers | 105 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Mark Freeman | 96 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Matthew Bernard | 84 | 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.