Dr. William Ballard, M.D.
Contact & Location
423-624-2696
Chattanooga, TN 37404
Dr. Ballard performs more knee replacement procedures than 98% of orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #3 of 176 ranked knee surgeons in Tennessee.
About Dr. Ballard
Practice. Dr. William Ballard is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The latest annual CMS data records 193 knee replacements and 118 hip replacements, 311 procedures in all. That is #3 in Tennessee for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2005.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 456 in 2018 and stands at 311 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 193 procedures is more than 4x the national average of 45. That is #66 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. Ballard 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 | 129 | 265 |
| 2014 | 117 | 300 |
| 2015 | 124 | 308 |
| 2016 | 123 | 303 |
| 2017 | 135 | 301 |
| 2018 | 139 | 317 |
| 2019 | 115 | 341 |
| 2020 | 134 | 259 |
| 2021 | 135 | 249 |
| 2022 | 128 | 232 |
| 2023 | 125 | 220 |
| 2024 | 118 | 193 |
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 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 25% to 33% for hip 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. Ballard Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Tennessee state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Ballard's recorded volume peaked at 456 procedures in 2018 and stood at 311 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 Knee Replacement
If you are considering knee replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
An overview of current surgical approaches including robotic-assisted and minimally invasive techniques, implant options, and expected outcomes.
What to Expect on the Day of SurgeryA step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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.
Knee Replacement Recovery Overview
Recovery timelines vary by patient, but here is a general overview of what to expect after knee replacement surgery:
Individual recovery varies based on overall health, age, and adherence to physical therapy. View full knee replacement recovery guide and product recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Ballard
How does Dr. Ballard's procedure volume compare to other Tennessee surgeons?
Dr. Ballard has performed 311 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 4x the Tennessee average of 65 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Ballard ranks #2 out of 219 orthopedic surgeons in Tennessee.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Ballard perform?
Dr. Ballard's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (193 cases) and hip replacement (118 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Ballard with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Ballard ranks #3 in Tennessee for knee replacement with 193 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 219 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Ballard 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. Ballard 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 23% to 28% for knee replacement, 25% to 33% for hip replacement, which puts Dr. Ballard's total volume across all insurers at roughly 1,050 to 1,310 procedures against the 311 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. Ballard's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Ballard's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 456 procedures in 2018 and was 311 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.
Does Dr. Ballard perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Ballard's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (193 cases), hip replacement (118 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Ballard affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Ballard is affiliated with Memorial Healthcare System, Inc, Hamilton Medical Center, Rhea Medical Center. Dr. Ballard maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Ballard compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Chattanooga?
Among the 18 orthopedic surgeons in Chattanooga, Dr. Ballard ranks #1 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Ballard has the highest verified Medicare volume in the city.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Ballard practices?
Memorial Healthcare System, Inc (4 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); Rhea Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Dr. Ballard's 311 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. John Nash | 200 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Matthew Higgins | 171 | 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.