Dr. Alexander Willis, M.D.
Contact & Location
360-814-6800
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Long Branch, NJ 07740
Hamilton, NJ 08691
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Dr. Willis performs more knee replacement procedures than 60% of orthopedic surgeons in Washington, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #57 of 146 ranked knee surgeons in Washington.
About Dr. Willis
Practice. Dr. Alexander Willis is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Mount Vernon, Washington. The latest annual CMS data records 40 knee replacements and 27 hip replacements, 67 procedures in all. That is #57 in Washington for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2012.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2020 to 2024, 5 years. Volume rose from 16 procedures a year to 67, up 319%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 40 procedures is near the national average of 45.
Local context. Mount Vernon has 6 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 16 | 0 |
| 2021 | 11 | 0 |
| 2022 | 13 | 0 |
| 2023 | 25 | 27 |
| 2024 | 27 | 40 |
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. Willis Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Washington state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Willis's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 5 years, increasing 319% from 16 procedures in 2020 to 67 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 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.
Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week ExpectationsA detailed week-by-week guide covering pain levels, mobility milestones, physical therapy progression, and when to expect a return to daily activities.
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. Willis
How does Dr. Willis's procedure volume compare to other Washington surgeons?
Dr. Willis has performed 67 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Washington average of 59 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Willis ranks #72 out of 198 orthopedic surgeons in Washington.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Willis perform?
Dr. Willis's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (40 cases) and hip replacement (27 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Willis in Mount Vernon?
Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in Mount Vernon 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 Washington surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Willis 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. Willis's total volume across all insurers at roughly 220 to 280 procedures against the 67 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. Willis's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Willis's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 16 procedures in 2020 to 67 in the most recent data, a 319% increase over 5 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 67 procedures in 2024.
Does Dr. Willis perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Willis's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (40 cases), hip replacement (27 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Willis affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Willis is affiliated with Skagit Valley Hospital, Island Hospital, Whidbeyhealth Medical Center, Cascade Valley Hospital, Peacehealth United General Medical Center.
How does Dr. Willis compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Mount Vernon?
Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in Mount Vernon, Dr. Willis ranks #3 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Willis is among the highest-volume surgeons in Mount Vernon.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Willis practices?
Skagit Valley Hospital (3 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Island Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Whidbeyhealth Medical Center (1 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 Mount Vernon, Washington
Dr. Willis's 67 Medicare procedures are above the Mount Vernon average of 64. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Mount Vernon.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Stacia Smith | 115 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Picco | 70 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Eric Secrist | 65 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Sheu | 43 | Hip, Shoulder |
| Dr. Camille Connelly | 26 | 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.