Dr. Eric Cotter, M.D.
Contact & Location
608-263-8850
Madison, WI 53711
Dr. Cotter performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 2% of orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #39 of 40 ranked shoulder surgeons in Wisconsin.
About Dr. Cotter
Practice. Dr. Eric Cotter is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Madison, Wisconsin. The latest annual CMS data records 11 shoulder replacements. That is #39 in Wisconsin for shoulder replacement. Dr. Cotter also holds credentials in Sports Medicine. A Medicare provider since 2018.
Trend. Dr. Cotter 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, 11 procedures is below the national average of 29. Medicare covers part of all joint replacements, so true volume is likely higher.
Local context. Madison has 23 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: 12 procedures in 2023 and 11 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. Cotter Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Wisconsin state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Cotter 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:
Evidence-based exercises and lifestyle adjustments that can improve surgical outcomes and speed recovery when started weeks before your procedure.
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.
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. Cotter
How does Dr. Cotter's procedure volume compare to other Wisconsin surgeons?
Dr. Cotter has performed 11 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The Wisconsin average is 51 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Cotter ranks #189 out of 189 orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Cotter perform?
Dr. Cotter's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder 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. Cotter in Madison?
Yes. There are 23 orthopedic surgeons in Madison 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 Wisconsin surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Cotter 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. Cotter's total volume across all insurers at roughly 30 to 40 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.
Which hospitals is Dr. Cotter affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Cotter is affiliated with University Of Wi Hospitals & Clinics Authority, Unitypoint Health - Meriter, Fort Memorial Hospital.
How does Dr. Cotter compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Madison?
Among the 23 orthopedic surgeons in Madison, Dr. Cotter ranks #23 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Madison has 246 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Cotter practices?
University Of Wi Hospitals & Clinics Authority (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Unitypoint Health - Meriter (4 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 Madison, Wisconsin
Dr. Cotter's 11 Medicare procedures are below the Madison average of 148. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Madison.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Brian Nickel | 246 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Hennessy | 233 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Richard Illgen | 189 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Rajit Chakravarty | 133 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Scott Anderson | 112 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Andrew Livermore | 109 | Hip, 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.