American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons membership and its association with primary and revision shoulder arthroplasty volume

Background The overall impact of American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) membership on volume of primary and revision procedures has not been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between high-volume primary and revision arthroplasty surgeons and membership in the ASES using recent Medicare data. Methods Data from 2014 for all providers performing primary shoulder arthroplasty ( Current Procedural Terminology codes 23470 and 23472) and revision procedures ( Current Procedural Terminology codes 23473 and 23474) were identified using the Medicare Physician and Other Supplier Public Use File for 2016. Providers were rank ordered on the basis of the total number of procedures performed and subdivided as ASES members and nonmembers. Results ASES members composed 16% of all surgeons performing shoulder arthroplasty but performed 28% of primary arthroplasty and 63% of revision procedures. The mean number of procedures per provider was significantly greater for ASES members compared with non–ASES members (44.2 ± 30.7 vs. 21.4 ± 13.2; P < .001); 70% of the 53 highest volume surgeons were ASES members and performed 71% of all primary and 89% of all revision shoulder arthroplasties among this group. Conclusion ASES members represent the largest proportion of high-volume shoulder arthroplasty surgeons in the United States and perform a majority of all primary and revision arthroplasties among this group.