Dr. Jia-Wei Ko, M.D.
Contact & Location
206-386-2600
Seattle, WA 98122
Dr. Ko performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 89% of orthopedic surgeons in Washington, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #6 of 56 ranked shoulder surgeons in Washington.
About Dr. Ko
Practice. Dr. Jia-Wei Ko is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Seattle, Washington. The latest annual CMS data records 54 shoulder replacements. That is #6 in Washington for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2009.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2016 to 2024, 9 years. Volume rose from 17 procedures a year to 54, up 218%.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 54 procedures is above the national average of 29.
Local context. Seattle has 37 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 17 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 29 |
| 2019 | 41 |
| 2020 | 21 |
| 2021 | 23 |
| 2022 | 37 |
| 2023 | 72 |
| 2024 | 54 |
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. Ko Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Washington state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Ko's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 9 years, increasing 218% from 17 procedures in 2016 to 54 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 Shoulder Replacement
If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, these evidence-based guides can help you prepare and recover:
Evidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
Medicare Bundled Payment Programs for Joint ReplacementHow bundled payment models affect your joint replacement costs and care coordination, and what it means for hospital and surgeon selection.
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. Ko
How does Dr. Ko's procedure volume compare to other Washington surgeons?
Dr. Ko has performed 54 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Washington average of 59 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Ko ranks #90 out of 198 orthopedic surgeons in Washington.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Ko perform?
Dr. Ko's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 54 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Ko with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Ko ranks #6 in Washington for shoulder replacement with 54 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 198 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Ko in Seattle?
Yes. There are 37 orthopedic surgeons in Seattle 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. Ko 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. Ko's total volume across all insurers at roughly 150 to 190 procedures against the 54 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. Ko's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Ko's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 17 procedures in 2016 to 54 in the most recent data, a 218% increase over 9 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 72 procedures in 2023.
Which hospitals is Dr. Ko affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Ko is affiliated with Swedish Medical Center, Olympic Medical Center.
How does Dr. Ko compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Seattle?
Among the 37 orthopedic surgeons in Seattle, Dr. Ko ranks #17 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Seattle has 142 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Ko practices?
Swedish Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Olympic Medical Center (3 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 Seattle, Washington
Dr. Ko's 54 Medicare procedures are below the Seattle average of 111. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Seattle.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Jonathan Clabeaux | 142 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Navin Fernando | 140 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Frederick Lee | 125 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Sean Toomey | 109 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Laura Matsen | 106 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Calvin Schlepp | 101 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
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.