Dr. Scott Kuzma, M.D.
Contact & Location
608-392-5859
La Crosse, WI 54601
Milwaukee, WI 53226
Rochester, MN 55905
Dr. Kuzma performs more shoulder replacement procedures than 65% of orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #14 of 40 ranked shoulder surgeons in Wisconsin.
About Dr. Kuzma
Practice. Dr. Scott Kuzma is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The latest annual CMS data records 25 shoulder replacements. That is #14 in Wisconsin for shoulder replacement. Dr. Kuzma also holds credentials in Specialist/Technologist, Athletic Trainer and Sports Medicine.
Trend. Dr. Kuzma 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, 25 procedures is near the national average of 29.
Local context. La Crosse has 6 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Kuzma also holds hospital privileges in WI and MN, a practice that extends beyond Wisconsin.
Verified Case Volume
Verified Medicare data is available for 2 years: 15 procedures in 2023 and 25 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. Kuzma Compares
Procedure volume compared to the Wisconsin state average.
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Kuzma 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 practical checklist of questions covering experience, technique, hospital choice, and recovery expectations to discuss during your surgical consultation.
Pain Management After Joint ReplacementA comprehensive guide to managing post-surgical pain through medication, physical therapy, cold therapy, and non-pharmacological strategies.
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.
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. Kuzma
How does Dr. Kuzma's procedure volume compare to other Wisconsin surgeons?
Dr. Kuzma has performed 25 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. Kuzma ranks #126 out of 189 orthopedic surgeons in Wisconsin.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Kuzma perform?
Dr. Kuzma's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 25 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Kuzma with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Kuzma ranks #14 in Wisconsin for shoulder replacement with 25 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 189 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Kuzma in La Crosse?
Yes. There are 6 orthopedic surgeons in La Crosse 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. Kuzma 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. Kuzma's total volume across all insurers at roughly 70 to 90 procedures against the 25 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. Kuzma affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Kuzma is affiliated with Mayo Clinic Health System In La Crosse, Mayo Clinic Health System In Sparta, Winona Health Services, Crossing Rivers Health Medical Center. Dr. Kuzma maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Kuzma compare to other orthopedic surgeons in La Crosse?
Among the 6 orthopedic surgeons in La Crosse, Dr. Kuzma ranks #6 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in La Crosse has 111 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Kuzma practices?
Mayo Clinic Health System In La Crosse (5 out of 5 CMS stars, insufficient case volume for complication rate comparison); Winona Health Services (2 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 La Crosse, Wisconsin
Dr. Kuzma's 25 Medicare procedures are below the La Crosse average of 75. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in La Crosse.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Mark Topolski | 111 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Christopher Whalen | 107 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Kariline Bringe | 99 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Charles Nolte | 57 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Steven Klein | 52 | 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.