Dr. Merritt Auld, M.D.
Contact & Location
206-386-2600
Seattle, WA 98122
Dr. Auld performs more joint replacement procedures than 1% of orthopedic surgeons in Washington, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #195 of 198 orthopedic surgeons in Washington.
About Dr. Auld
Practice. Dr. Merritt Auld is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Seattle, Washington. The latest annual CMS data records 11 knee replacements. That is #145 in Washington for knee replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 5 years. Volume peaked at 20 in 2013 and stands at 11 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 6,612 knee replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 11 procedures is below the national average of 45. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
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 | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 20 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 11 |
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. 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. Auld Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Washington state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Auld's recorded volume peaked at 20 procedures in 2013 and stood at 11 in the most recent data. Year-to-year variation can reflect changes in payer mix, practice scope, or Medicare billing patterns.
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.
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.
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. Auld
How does Dr. Auld's procedure volume compare to other Washington surgeons?
Dr. Auld has performed 11 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Washington average is 59 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Auld ranks #195 out of 198 orthopedic surgeons in Washington.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Auld perform?
Dr. Auld's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 11 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Auld 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. Auld 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, which puts Dr. Auld's total volume across all insurers at roughly 40 to 50 procedures against the 11 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. Auld's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Auld's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 20 procedures in 2013 and was 11 in the most recent data. Volume fluctuations can reflect changes in payer mix, practice focus, or Medicare reporting rather than a change in overall surgical activity.
Which hospitals is Dr. Auld affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Auld is affiliated with Swedish Medical Center, St Michael Medical Center.
How does Dr. Auld compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Seattle?
Among the 37 orthopedic surgeons in Seattle, Dr. Auld ranks #37 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. Auld practices?
Swedish Medical Center (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); St Michael Medical Center (4 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 Seattle, Washington
Dr. Auld's 11 Medicare procedures are below the Seattle average of 105. 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.