Dr. Mark Merrell, M.D.
Contact & Location
509-460-5588
Kennewick, WA 99336
Dr. Merrell performs more knee replacement procedures than 94% of orthopedic surgeons in Washington, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #8 of 146 ranked knee surgeons in Washington.
About Dr. Merrell
Practice. Dr. Mark Merrell is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Kennewick, Washington. The latest annual CMS data records 94 knee replacements and 41 hip replacements, 135 procedures in all. That is #8 in Washington for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume rose from 109 procedures a year to 135, up 24%.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 94 procedures is more than 2x the national average of 45.
Local context. Kennewick has 4 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 | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 26 | 83 | 0 |
| 2014 | 21 | 85 | 15 |
| 2015 | 34 | 70 | 16 |
| 2016 | 17 | 90 | 20 |
| 2017 | 23 | 90 | 26 |
| 2018 | 27 | 109 | 12 |
| 2019 | 32 | 109 | 20 |
| 2020 | 32 | 101 | 18 |
| 2021 | 34 | 83 | 19 |
| 2022 | 44 | 109 | 22 |
| 2023 | 40 | 120 | 18 |
| 2024 | 41 | 94 | 0 |
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. Merrell Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Washington state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Merrell's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 24% from 109 procedures in 2013 to 135 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Merrell
How does Dr. Merrell's procedure volume compare to other Washington surgeons?
Dr. Merrell has performed 135 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. This is more than 2x the Washington average of 59 procedures per surgeon. Dr. Merrell ranks #17 out of 198 orthopedic surgeons in Washington.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Merrell perform?
Dr. Merrell's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (94 cases) and hip replacement (41 cases).
How experienced is Dr. Merrell with knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Merrell ranks #8 in Washington for knee replacement with 94 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 198 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Merrell in Kennewick?
Yes. There are 4 orthopedic surgeons in Kennewick 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. Merrell 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. Merrell's total volume across all insurers at roughly 460 to 570 procedures against the 135 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. Merrell's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Merrell's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 109 procedures in 2013 to 135 in the most recent data, a 24% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 178 procedures in 2023.
Does Dr. Merrell perform more than one type of joint replacement?
Yes. Dr. Merrell's Medicare data shows procedures in knee replacement (94 cases), hip replacement (41 cases). Surgeons who perform multiple joint replacement types maintain broad technical skills across different anatomical joints.
Which hospitals is Dr. Merrell affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Merrell is affiliated with Lourdes Medical Center, Kadlec Regional Medical Center, Trios.
How does Dr. Merrell compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Kennewick?
Among the 4 orthopedic surgeons in Kennewick, Dr. Merrell ranks #2 by total Medicare procedure volume. Dr. Merrell is among the highest-volume surgeons in Kennewick.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Merrell practices?
Lourdes Medical Center (3 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Kadlec Regional Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Trios (1 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 Kennewick, Washington
Dr. Merrell's 135 Medicare procedures are above the Kennewick average of 106. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Kennewick.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Uel Hansen | 194 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Sherfey | 56 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Judd Fitzgerald | 40 | 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.