Dr. Galen Mills, MD
Contact & Location
San Antonio, TX 78229
Dr. Galen Mills is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in San Antonio, Texas. A Medicare provider since 2018, Dr. Mills has performed 18 Medicare-verified shoulder replacements (#84 in Texas) and 17 knee replacements, for a combined total of 35 procedures.
In Texas, Dr. Mills performs below average in shoulder (18 vs 27 avg), below average in knee (17 vs 42 avg).
Dr. Mills's reported Medicare volume is split between shoulder replacements (18 cases) and knee replacements (17 cases).
San Antonio is home to 41 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the San Antonio area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs. Dr. Mills also maintains hospital privileges in WY and MT, indicating a regional practice that extends beyond Texas.
Dr. Mills first appears in the Medicare dataset in 2023. With 2 years of recorded data, the longitudinal trend is still developing.
Dr. Mills's 18 shoulder replacement procedures is below the national average of 29 among 2,213 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
Verified Medicare Cases
How is this estimated?
Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims represent approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally (source: CMS data, AJRR). This range estimates the surgeon's total practice volume across all payers. The verified Medicare count above is the definitive, audited figure.
How Dr. Mills Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Texas state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Mills has 2 years of Medicare procedure data beginning in 2023. Additional years of data will provide a clearer picture of volume trends.
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.
Rehabilitation Roadmap: Your Complete Recovery GuideA structured physical therapy progression from the first post-op exercises through full strength and mobility restoration over 3 to 6 months.
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. Mills
How does Dr. Mills's procedure volume compare to other Texas surgeons?
Dr. Mills has performed 35 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Texas average is 57 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Mills ranks #335 out of 582 orthopedic surgeons in Texas.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Mills perform?
Dr. Mills's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (18 cases) and knee replacement (17 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Mills in San Antonio?
Yes. There are 41 orthopedic surgeons in San Antonio 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 Texas surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Mills represent?
The procedure counts shown are based on the most recent Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This captures approximately 33–37% of all joint replacements performed nationally. Dr. Mills's total practice volume — including private insurance and Medicare Advantage patients — is likely higher than the 35 procedures shown here.
Does Dr. Mills perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Mills's Medicare data shows procedures in shoulder replacement (18 cases), knee replacement (17 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Mills affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Mills is affiliated with Powell Valley Hospital, Billings Clinic Hospital, Cody Regional Health, North Big Horn Hospital District. Dr. Mills maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Mills compare to other orthopedic surgeons in San Antonio?
Among the 41 orthopedic surgeons in San Antonio, Dr. Mills ranks #26 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in San Antonio has 383 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Mills practices?
Powell Valley Hospital (hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Billings Clinic Hospital (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Cody Regional Health (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 San Antonio, Texas
Dr. Mills's 35 Medicare procedures are below the San Antonio average of 184. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in San Antonio.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christopher Phelps | 383 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Bryan Kaiser | 235 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Richard Ursone | 191 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Casey Taber | 172 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Robert Girling | 155 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Matthew Morrey | 116 | 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.