Dr. George Bal, M.D.
Contact & Location
304-598-4800
Morgantown, WV 26506
Dr. Bal performs more joint replacement procedures than 42% of orthopedic surgeons in West Virginia, based on 2024 Medicare claims volume.Derived from the state ranking shown on this page: #26 of 45 orthopedic surgeons in West Virginia.
About Dr. Bal
Practice. Dr. George Bal is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon practicing in Morgantown, West Virginia. The latest annual CMS data records 35 shoulder replacements. That is #3 in West Virginia for shoulder replacement. A Medicare provider since 2006.
Trend. Medicare records run from 2013 to 2024, 12 years. Volume peaked at 77 in 2017 and stands at 35 now. Reporting changes and payer mix can both move that number.
National context. Among 2,217 shoulder replacement surgeons tracked nationally, 35 procedures is above the national average of 29.
Local context. Morgantown has 10 orthopedic surgeons in the current Medicare data. Comparing volume and procedure mix across them is one way to narrow a shortlist. Dr. Bal also holds hospital privileges in WV and PA, a practice that extends beyond West Virginia.
Verified Case Volume Trends (2013-Current)
| Year | Shoulder Replacement |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 63 |
| 2014 | 51 |
| 2015 | 62 |
| 2016 | 68 |
| 2017 | 77 |
| 2018 | 69 |
| 2019 | 57 |
| 2020 | 57 |
| 2021 | 43 |
| 2022 | 47 |
| 2023 | 47 |
| 2024 | 35 |
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. Bal Compares
Procedure volume compared to the West Virginia state average.
See the Top 25 shoulder replacement surgeons in West Virginia
Volume Trend Analysis
Dr. Bal's recorded volume peaked at 77 procedures in 2017 and stood at 35 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 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.
Nutrition and Recovery After Joint ReplacementHow protein intake, anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and targeted supplements support bone healing and tissue repair after surgery.
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. Bal
How does Dr. Bal's procedure volume compare to other West Virginia surgeons?
Dr. Bal has performed 35 Medicare-verified joint replacement procedures. The West Virginia average is 52 procedures per surgeon. Medicare data captures roughly one-third of all joint replacements, so total volume may be higher. Dr. Bal ranks #26 out of 45 orthopedic surgeons in West Virginia.
What types of joint replacement does Dr. Bal perform?
Dr. Bal's reported Medicare volume is focused on shoulder replacement, with 35 verified procedures. Some surgeons choose to concentrate on a single joint type to build deep procedural expertise.
How experienced is Dr. Bal with shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Bal ranks #3 in West Virginia for shoulder replacement with 35 Medicare-verified procedures. This high ranking among 45 state surgeons indicates significant experience with this specific procedure.
Are there other orthopedic surgeons near Dr. Bal in Morgantown?
Yes. There are 10 orthopedic surgeons in Morgantown 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 West Virginia surgeons.
What does the Medicare data for Dr. Bal 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. Bal's total volume across all insurers at roughly 90 to 120 procedures against the 35 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. Bal's procedure volume changed over time?
Dr. Bal's Medicare-recorded volume peaked at 77 procedures in 2017 and was 35 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. Bal affiliated with?
According to CMS facility affiliation data, Dr. Bal is affiliated with West Virginia University Hospitals, Inc, Uniontown Hospital. Dr. Bal maintains hospital privileges across state lines, indicating a practice that serves patients in multiple states.
How does Dr. Bal compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Morgantown?
Among the 10 orthopedic surgeons in Morgantown, Dr. Bal ranks #7 by total Medicare procedure volume. The highest-volume surgeon in Morgantown has 138 verified Medicare procedures.
What are the quality ratings for hospitals where Dr. Bal practices?
West Virginia University Hospitals, Inc (2 out of 5 CMS stars, hip/knee complication rate similar to national average); Uniontown Hospital (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 Morgantown, West Virginia
Dr. Bal's 35 Medicare procedures are below the Morgantown average of 84. The table below compares verified procedure volumes for orthopedic surgeons practicing in Morgantown.
| Surgeon | Procedures | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Jacob Conjeski | 138 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Brian Hamlin | 121 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Adam Klein | 97 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Benjamin Frye | 82 | Hip, Knee |
| Dr. Nick Zervos | 65 | Hip, Knee, Shoulder |
| Dr. Timothy Murphy | 49 | 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.