Dr. Nathan Bowers, M.D.
Contact & Location
253-845-9585
Puyallup, WA 98374
Bonney Lake, WA 98391
Dr. Bowers performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 14% of orthopedic surgeons in Washington, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #48 of 56 ranked shoulder surgeons in Washington.
About Dr. Bowers
Practice. Dr. Nathan Bowers is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Puyallup, Washington. The latest annual CMS data records 14 shoulder replacements. That is #48 in Washington for shoulder replacement. Dr. Bowers also holds credentials in Hand Surgery. A Medicare provider since 2015.
Trend. Dr. Bowers first appears in the Medicare data in 2023. With 2 years on record, the trend is still short.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 14 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Puyallup 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
Verified Medicare data is available for 2 years: 14 procedures in 2023 and 14 procedures in the most recent reporting year. A multi-year trend chart is shown once at least 3 years of data are available.
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. Bowers Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Washington state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Bowers has 2 years of Medicare procedure data beginning in 2023. Additional years of data will provide a clearer picture of volume trends.
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:
A 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.
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. Bowers
How does Dr. Bowers's procedure volume compare to other Washington surgeons?
Dr. Bowers has performed 14 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. Bowers ranks #181 out of 198 orthopedic surgeons in Washington.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Bowers perform?
Dr. Bowers's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 14 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Bowers in Puyallup?
Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in Puyallup 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. Bowers 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. Bowers's total volume across all insurers at roughly 40 to 50 procedures against the 14 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.
Which hospitals is Dr. Bowers affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Bowers is affiliated with Multicare Good Samaritan Hospital, Tacoma General Allenmore Hospital.
How does Dr. Bowers compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Puyallup?
Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in Puyallup, Dr. Bowers ranks #5 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Puyallup has 66 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Bowers practices?
Multicare Good Samaritan Hospital (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Tacoma General Allenmore Hospital (2 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 Puyallup, Washington
Dr. Bowers's 14 Medicare procedures are below the Puyallup average of 33. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Puyallup.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. John Steedman | 66 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. James Wyman | 47 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Paul Degenfelder | 36 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. John Hung | 23 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Eric Puttler | 13 | Hip |
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.