Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Steven Wardell, M.D.
Orthopedic Surgery · Palos Heights, IL
Practice pattern: Mixed Practice
— Diverse clinical practice across multiple procedure types
Low-engagement
Very High
DATA COVERAGE
Data in 4 of 4 federal sources
Measures public federal data availability — not provider quality
Informational, not a quality rating.
This page presents federal public records about Dr. Wardell from CMS (NPPES, Open Payments, Medicare Provider Utilization, PECOS). It is not medical advice, an endorsement, or a judgment of clinical quality. Always consult the provider directly and a licensed clinician for medical decisions. Read methodology →
Are you Dr. Wardell?
Request a correction or review of any data shown here. Provider portal →
What this data tells you about Dr. Wardell
Dr. Steven Wardell is an orthopedic surgery specialist in Palos Heights, IL, with 21 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Wardell performed 18,285 Medicare services across 3,788 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Wardell received a total of $2,529 from 4 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 14 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in orthopedic surgery. Most payments are for meals and travel — low-value interactions common across virtually all practicing physicians. Patients may wish to discuss these relationships with their provider.
The Data Coverage level for Dr. Wardell is Very High — reflecting how much public federal data is available about this provider. Patients are encouraged to use this data as one of several factors when choosing a healthcare provider.
✓ 21 years in practice
▲ Top 2% volume in IL
$2,529 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗18,285
Medicare services
Top 2% in IL for orthopedic surgery
3,788
Unique beneficiaries
$30
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~871 Medicare services per year of practice
Top procedures by volume
Ranked by number of services performed for Medicare patients. Avg. submitted charge is what the provider billed; avg. Medicare payment is what CMS paid.
| Procedure | Volume | Avg. paid | Avg. submitted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joint lubricant injection (TriVisc) An injection of hyaluronan or a derivative into a joint space. The dose specified is 1 milligram. |
11,925 | $7 | $60 |
| Ultrasound-guided large joint aspiration or injection This procedure uses ultrasound imaging to guide the removal of fluid from or the injection of medication into a large joint. |
665 | $85 | $400 |
| Physical therapy exercise, per 15 min A therapy session using exercises to improve strength, endurance, range of motion, and flexibility. Each 15-minute unit is billed separately. |
624 | $20 | $104 |
| Betamethasone steroid injection An injection containing a combination of betamethasone acetate and betamethasone sodium phosphate. |
621 | $5 | $31 |
| Office visit, established patient (30-39 min) A follow-up office visit for an existing patient lasting between 30 and 39 minutes. The visit involves medical evaluation and management of the patient's condition. |
591 | $98 | $300 |
| Knee X-ray, 4 or more views An imaging test using X-rays to create multiple pictures of the knee joint from different angles. |
530 | $35 | $200 |
| Manual therapy (hands-on treatment), per 15 min | 430 | $17 | $92 |
| Hip X-ray, 2-3 views An X-ray imaging test of the hip joint using two to three different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
403 | $35 | $177 |
| Knee X-ray, 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the knee joint that captures three different angles to evaluate the bones and surrounding structures. |
372 | $31 | $169 |
| Office visit, established patient (20-29 min) An office visit for an existing patient lasting between 20 and 29 minutes. The visit involves medical evaluation and management of the patient's condition. |
346 | $70 | $207 |
| Functional activity therapy A therapy procedure that utilizes functional activities as part of the treatment process. |
300 | $29 | $91 |
| Office visit, established patient (10-19 min) An office visit for an existing patient lasting 10 to 19 minutes. The visit involves medical evaluation and management of the patient's condition. |
279 | $47 | $113 |
| New patient office visit (45-59 min) An initial office visit for a new patient lasting between 45 and 59 minutes. This code covers the total time spent by the physician or qualified healthcare professional on the date of the encounter. |
143 | $132 | $421 |
| Home health plan of care certification Certification by a physician or allowed practitioner for Medicare-covered home health services under a home health plan of care. This includes contacting the home health agency and reviewing reports of patient status required by physicians. |
122 | $43 | $104 |
| Neuromuscular re-education therapy, per 15 min A therapy procedure designed to re-educate the functional connection between the brain, nerves, and muscles. It is billed in 15-minute increments. |
120 | $24 | $102 |
| Chest X-ray, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the chest that captures two different angles to visualize the lungs, heart, and chest wall. |
115 | $27 | $155 |
| Office visit, established patient, complex (40-54 min) An office or outpatient visit for an existing patient lasting between 40 and 54 minutes. This level of service is determined by the total time spent on the date of the encounter. |
105 | $139 | $465 |
| Total knee replacement | 85 | $1,132 | $12,246 |
| X-ray of multiple joints An X-ray imaging test that captures images of several joints simultaneously to evaluate their structure and alignment. |
85 | $38 | $277 |
| Computer-assisted surgery for muscle and bone procedure A surgical procedure involving muscles or bones that utilizes computer technology to assist with planning or execution. |
81 | $130 | $487 |
| New patient office visit (30-44 min) An initial office visit for a new patient lasting between 30 and 44 minutes. This code is used when the total time spent on the date of the encounter falls within this range. |
73 | $87 | $291 |
| Total hip replacement Surgical procedure to replace the thigh bone and hip joint with artificial components. |
43 | $1,146 | $26,934 |
| Bone density scan (DEXA) A test that uses low-dose X-rays to measure bone mineral density in the hip, pelvis, and spine. It helps assess bone strength and risk of fractures. |
38 | $39 | $750 |
| Initial hospital admission, moderate complexity Initial hospital inpatient or observation care for a new patient involving moderate-level medical decision making, with at least 55 minutes total time on the date of the encounter. |
23 | $110 | $379 |
| Evaluation for physical therapy, typically 45 minutes | 21 | $69 | $236 |
| Removal of soft tissue growth, pelvis/hip, less than 5 cm Surgical removal of a soft tissue growth located in the pelvis or hip area. The procedure is performed when the growth measures less than 5.0 centimeters. |
17 | $270 | $5,840 |
| Initial hospital admission, high complexity Initial hospital inpatient or observation care for a new patient involving high-level medical decision making, with at least 75 minutes total time on the date of the encounter. |
17 | $146 | $465 |
| Hospital follow-up visit, high complexity Subsequent hospital inpatient or observation care for an existing patient involving high-level medical decision making, with at least 50 minutes total time on the date of the encounter. |
17 | $95 | $281 |
| Imaging guidance for procedure, 60 minutes or less Use of imaging technology to guide a medical procedure. This service lasts 60 minutes or less. |
15 | $13 | $632 |
| X-ray of thigh bone, minimum 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the thigh bone using at least two different angles to visualize the bone structure. |
14 | $27 | $166 |
| Hospital follow-up visit, low complexity Follow-up hospital visit for an established patient with straightforward or low-level medical decision making. The visit requires at least 25 minutes of time spent on the day of service. |
14 | $43 | $140 |
| Hospital follow-up visit, moderate complexity Follow-up hospital visit for an existing patient involving moderate medical decision making. The visit requires at least 35 minutes of time spent on the date of service. |
14 | $67 | $190 |
| Knee arthroscopy with drilling or scraping A minimally invasive procedure using a small camera to examine the knee joint. The surgeon uses instruments to drill or scrape tissue inside the joint. |
13 | $502 | $7,500 |
| Evaluation for physical therapy, typically 30 minutes | 12 | $83 | $236 |
| Initial hospital admission, low complexity Initial hospital inpatient or observation care for a new patient involving straightforward or low-level medical decision making, with at least 40 minutes total time on the date of the encounter. |
12 | $71 | $281 |
How to read this data: This reflects Medicare patients only (typically 65+). Payment amounts are what Medicare paid the provider, not your out-of-pocket cost. A higher procedure volume generally indicates more experience with that procedure.
1.1% high complexity
72.3% medium
26.5% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$2,529
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $506/year across 5 years
Bottom 46% in IL for orthopedic surgery
4
Companies
14
Individual payments
All payments are legal and publicly reported · Not evidence of wrongdoing · How to interpret →
Payment profile
Industry payments classified by relationship type. Not all payments are equal — research and consulting reflect different relationships than speaking programs or meals.
Meals & Travel
Food, beverages, travel, and lodging — typically low-value
$2,529 (100.0%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$1,906
2023
$46
2022
$95
2020
$117
2018
$365
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Smith+Nephew, Inc.
$1,906
Top 3 companies account for 100.0% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Smith+Nephew, Inc.
$1,906
Smith & Nephew, Inc.
$365
Stryker Corporation
$163
Brainlab, Inc.
$95
Top 3 companies account for 96.2% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT · Anthology · GAMMA · Image Guided Surgical Device · JOURNEY II · MAKO · REAL INTELLIGENCE
Should you be concerned? Payments from pharmaceutical and device companies are legal and common — 57% of U.S. physicians receive at least one. They often reflect legitimate consulting, research, or education. What matters is whether a recommended drug or device appears in your doctor's payment records. If so, consider asking your doctor about it. How to interpret this data →
Most payments (100%) are for meals and travel — low-value interactions that are common across virtually all practicing physicians.
Geographic Context
Orthopedic surgeons within 10 mi
485
Per 100K population
9.4
County median income
$81,797
Nearest hospital
PALOS COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
0.0 mi
0.0 mi
Data Sources
| Provider Registry | ✓ NPPES | Weekly updates |
| Medicare Enrollment | ✓ PECOS | Monthly updates |
| Practice Data | ✓ Medicare Util. | Annual (CY lag) |
| Industry Payments | ✓ Open Payments | CY 2024 |
| Disciplinary History | — Not public | N/A |
This provider has data in 4 of 4 available federal datasets, with a Data Coverage level of Very High. This reflects how much public data is available about a provider. How we calculate this →
Summary
Dr. Wardell is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 2% in IL), with low-engagement industry engagement, with 21 years of NPI registration.
This summary is auto-generated from federal data, describing data availability and patterns. Read our methodology →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dr. Wardell experienced with joint lubricant injection (trivisc)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Wardell performed 11,925 joint lubricant injection (trivisc) services. Research suggests that higher procedure volume is often associated with better outcomes, particularly for complex procedures. Note that Medicare data only captures patients aged 65 and older, so the total practice volume across all patients is likely higher.
Does Dr. Wardell receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Wardell received a total of $2,529 from 4 companies across 14 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common among physicians — 57% of all U.S. physicians receive at least one industry payment. Patients may wish to ask their doctor about these relationships, especially if a recommended drug or device appears in the payment records.
How do Dr. Wardell's costs compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Palos Heights?
Dr. Wardell's average Medicare payment per service is $30. Note that these figures represent what Medicare pays, not your out-of-pocket cost, which depends on your specific insurance plan and deductible. Procedure-level data above shows both what was submitted and what Medicare paid for each service type.
What does Data Coverage mean?
Data Coverage (currently Very High for Dr. Wardell) measures how much public federal data is available about a provider. It is not a quality rating. A "Very High" or "High" level means the provider has data across multiple federal sources (NPPES, PECOS, Medicare Utilization, Open Payments), indicating a long track record of practice, Medicare participation, and industry disclosure. A "Low" or "Moderate" level may simply mean the provider is newer, does not see Medicare patients, or has not received any industry payments — none of which are inherently negative. Read our full methodology →
Is this data up to date?
Each data source has its own update cycle. Provider registry data (NPPES) is updated weekly. Medicare enrollment (PECOS) is updated monthly. Medicare practice data has a ~2 year lag — the most recent available is typically 2 years prior. Industry payment data (Open Payments) is published annually, usually in June, covering the prior calendar year. We display the data date prominently on each section so you always know how current it is. See our data freshness policy →
Explore related providers
Specialty guide
Understanding Orthopedic Surgery
Common procedures, typical costs, and what industry payments mean in orthopedic surgery.
Same specialty & city
Orthopedic Surgeons in Palos Heights
Browse orthopedic surgeons in Palos Heights ranked by procedure volume and transparency data.
Highest volume
Top Orthopedic Surgeons in IL
Orthopedic surgeons ranked by total Medicare services performed statewide.
Industry payments
Pharma Payments to Orthopedic Surgeons in IL
Which IL orthopedic surgeons receive the most from drug and device companies.
By company
Smith+Nephew, Inc. Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from Smith+Nephew, Inc.
By company
Smith & Nephew, Inc. Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from Smith & Nephew, Inc.
By company
Stryker Corporation Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from Stryker Corporation.
About this page
All data on this page is sourced verbatim from public federal records published by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): NPPES ↗, Open Payments ↗, Medicare Provider Utilization ↗, and PECOS. Publication is mandated by the Physician Payments Sunshine Act (§6002 ACA, 42 U.S.C. §1320a-7h) and the Freedom of Information Act.
This page is not medical advice, an endorsement, a recommendation, or a quality rating. Data Coverage reflects data completeness — how much federal information exists for this provider — not clinical performance, patient outcomes, or quality of care. Always verify information directly with the provider and consult a licensed clinician before making medical decisions.
Provider corrections: Provider portal · Privacy questions: Privacy Policy · Terms: Terms of Use · Methodology: Methodology