Dr. Joel Hoekema, M.D.
Contact & Location
360-733-7670
Bellingham, WA 98225
Dr. Hoekema performs more hip replacement procedures than 60% of orthopedic surgeons in Washington, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #43 of 109 ranked hip surgeons in Washington.
About Dr. Hoekema
Practice. Dr. Joel Hoekema is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Bellingham, Washington. The latest annual CMS data records 39 hip replacements and 34 knee replacements, 73 procedures in all. That is #43 in Washington for hip replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume has held between 60 and 94 procedures a year.
National context. Among 4,542 hip replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 39 procedures is near the national average of 36.
Local context. Bellingham 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 | 38 | 37 |
| 2014 | 29 | 44 |
| 2015 | 40 | 49 |
| 2016 | 40 | 30 |
| 2017 | 53 | 41 |
| 2018 | 36 | 45 |
| 2019 | 32 | 44 |
| 2020 | 32 | 31 |
| 2021 | 30 | 30 |
| 2022 | 41 | 40 |
| 2023 | 51 | 37 |
| 2024 | 39 | 34 |
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. Hoekema Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Washington state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Hoekema's procedure volume has been consistent across 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 60 to 94 procedures per year. This stability suggests a well-established joint replacement practice.
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.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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. Hoekema
How does Dr. Hoekema's procedure volume compare to other Washington surgeons?
Dr. Hoekema has performed 73 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is in line with the Washington average of 59 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Hoekema ranks #61 out of 198 orthopedic surgeons in Washington.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Hoekema perform?
Dr. Hoekema's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (39 cases) and knee replacement (34 cases).
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Hoekema in Bellingham?
Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in Bellingham 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. Hoekema 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. Hoekema's total volume across all insurers at roughly 240 to 300 procedures against the 73 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. Hoekema's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Hoekema's procedure volume has been relatively stable over 12 years of Medicare data, ranging from 60 to 94 procedures per year between 2013 and 2024. Consistent volume over multiple years reflects a steady joint replacement practice.
Does Dr. Hoekema perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Hoekema's Medicare data shows procedures in hip replacement (39 cases), knee replacement (34 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Hoekema affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Hoekema is affiliated with Peacehealth St Joseph Medical Center, Island Hospital, Peacehealth Peace Island Medical Center, Peacehealth United General Medical Center.
How does Dr. Hoekema compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Bellingham?
Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in Bellingham, Dr. Hoekema ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Hoekema is among the highest-volume surgeons in Bellingham.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Hoekema practices?
Peacehealth St Joseph Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Island Hospital (5 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average). These are hospital-level quality metrics from CMS Hospital Compare and do not reflect individual surgeon outcomes.
Other Orthopedic Surgeons in Bellingham, Washington
Dr. Hoekema's 73 Medicare procedures are above the Bellingham average of 49. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Bellingham.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christopher Van Hofwegen | 79 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Matthew Oswin | 51 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James Holstine | 47 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Gannon | 29 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Jeffrey Krusniak | 15 | 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.