Dr. James Kuplic, MD
Contact & Location
920-560-1000
Appleton, WI 54913
Shawano, WI 54166
Dr. Kuplic performs more knee replacement procedures than 54% of orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #69 of 152 ranked knee surgeons in Wisconsin.
About Dr. Kuplic
Dr. James Kuplic is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Appleton, Wisconsin. A Medicare provider since 2006, Dr. Kuplic performed 32 Medicare-verified knee replacements in the latest annual CMS data, ranking #69 in Wisconsin.
In Wisconsin, Dr. Kuplic performs near the state average in knee (32 vs 36).
Dr. Kuplic's Medicare data shows a focused knee replacement practice with 32 verified procedures. Surgeons who concentrate on a single procedure type often develop deep procedural expertise, though total practice volume may include additional procedures not captured in Medicare fee-for-service data.
Appleton is home to 8 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare dataset. Patients in the Appleton area can compare surgeon volume and procedure specialization to find the right fit for their joint replacement needs.
Medicare records for Dr. Kuplic extend back to 2013, covering 12 years of data. Over that period, recorded procedure volume increased from 20 to 32 in the most recent data, a 60% increase. This sustained growth reflects an expanding joint replacement practice.
Dr. Kuplic's 32 knee replacement procedures is below the national average of 45 among 6,612 surgeons. Medicare data captures roughly a third of all joint replacements, so actual volume is likely higher.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 20 |
| 2014 | 0 | 27 |
| 2015 | 13 | 26 |
| 2016 | 0 | 26 |
| 2017 | 13 | 17 |
| 2018 | 0 | 30 |
| 2019 | 21 | 20 |
| 2020 | 18 | 34 |
| 2021 | 20 | 15 |
| 2022 | 17 | 33 |
| 2023 | 13 | 29 |
| 2024 | 0 | 32 |
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. Kuplic Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Wisconsin state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Kuplic's Medicare-recorded procedure volume has trended upward over 12 years, increasing 60% from 20 procedures in 2013 to 32 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.
What to Expect on the Day of SurgeryA step-by-step walkthrough of your surgical day, from pre-op preparation through anesthesia, the procedure itself, and the first hours of recovery.
Home Safety: Creating Your Recovery SanctuaryRoom-by-room modifications, equipment recommendations, and fall-prevention strategies to prepare your home for a safe post-surgical recovery.
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.
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. Kuplic
How does Dr. Kuplic's procedure volume compare to other Wisconsin surgeons?
Dr. Kuplic has performed 32 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. Kuplic ranks #115 out of 189 orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Kuplic perform?
Dr. Kuplic's reported Medicare volume is focused on knee replacement, with 32 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Kuplic in Appleton?
Yes. There are 8 orthopedic surgeons in Appleton 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. Kuplic 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. Kuplic's total volume across all insurers at roughly 110 to 140 procedures against the 32 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. Kuplic's procedure volume changed over time?
Yes. Dr. Kuplic's Medicare-recorded volume has increased from 20 procedures in 2013 to 32 in the most recent data, a 60% increase over 12 years. This upward trend suggests an expanding joint replacement practice. Peak volume was 52 procedures in 2020.
Which hospitals is Dr. Kuplic affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Kuplic is affiliated with Thedacare Regional Medical Center - Appleton Inc, Thedacare Medical Center - Shawano Inc.
How does Dr. Kuplic compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Appleton?
Among the 8 orthopedic surgeons in Appleton, Dr. Kuplic ranks #7 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Appleton has 92 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Kuplic practices?
Thedacare Regional Medical Center - Appleton Inc (4 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Thedacare Medical Center - Shawano Inc (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 Appleton, Wisconsin
Dr. Kuplic's 32 Medicare procedures are below the Appleton average of 64. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Appleton.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. David Liebelt | 92 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Michael Ziegele | 81 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. David Conrad | 72 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Robert Limoni | 60 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Shawn Hennigan | 59 | Shoulder |
| Dr. Brian Lohrbach | 52 | 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.