Compare 239 orthopedic surgeons in Pittsburgh, PA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
239
Orthopedic Surgeons
100%
Accepting patients
69%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Pittsburgh is a UPMC town, and there is no getting around it. UPMC is one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the country, and it functions as both a hospital operator and an insurance company. Allegheny Health Network (AHN), backed by Highmark Blue Cross, provides the main alternative. The rivalry between UPMC and Highmark shapes nearly every healthcare decision a Pittsburgh resident makes.
Pittsburgh has 239 orthopedic surgeons. The most common credential is MD (69%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Lawrenceville, and Strip District.
The Oakland neighborhood is Pittsburgh's medical hub, home to UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Magee-Womens, and UPMC Children's. Allegheny General Hospital sits on the North Side. Pittsburgh's geography (rivers, bridges, hills) makes cross-city travel unpredictable, so most residents choose the hospital system closest to their neighborhood. The T light rail connects South Hills communities to downtown, but bus routes are the primary transit option for hospital access.
Nearby hospitals include UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Shadyside, and Allegheny General Hospital. Local training programs run through University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Carnegie Mellon University. UPMC is one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the US, employing over 95,000 people.
The Pittsburgh insurance market is a two-player game: UPMC Health Plan and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Employer plans typically align with one system. On the ACA marketplace, both plans compete on price and network breadth. Medicaid managed care is served by UPMC for You, Highmark Wholecare (formerly Gateway Health), and AmeriHealth Caritas. Choosing between the two plans is, effectively, choosing between the two hospital systems. 77% accept Medicare.
The first visit includes a physical exam of the affected area, range-of-motion testing, and imaging review (bring any existing X-rays or MRI results). The orthopedist may order additional imaging. They will explain the diagnosis and discuss treatment options, starting with conservative approaches (therapy, bracing, injections) before considering surgery.
The first question every new Pittsburgh resident should answer: are you on UPMC insurance or Highmark insurance? Your insurance determines which hospital system and physicians are in-network. This is not optional advice; it is the most important healthcare decision you will make here.
See an orthopedist for persistent joint pain, sports injuries (torn ACL, meniscus tears, rotator cuff), fractures, back or neck pain that is not improving, carpal tunnel symptoms, arthritis limiting your daily activities, or a musculoskeletal injury that has not responded to initial treatment from your primary care doctor.
Office visit copay: $30-75 · MRI: $500-3,000 · Cortisone injection: $100-300 · Knee replacement: $20,000-50,000
Pittsburgh, PA has 239 licensed orthopedic surgeons. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of orthopedic surgeons in Pittsburgh, PA are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
The Pittsburgh insurance market is defined by the UPMC Health Plan and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield rivalry. Employer plans tend to offer one or the other, rarely both. On the ACA marketplace, UPMC Health Plan and Highmark compete directly. Medicaid is administered through UPMC for You, Highmark Wholecare (formerly Gateway Health), and AmeriHealth Caritas.
Office visit copays range from $30 to $75. An MRI costs $500 to $3,000. Cortisone injections run $100 to $300. Knee replacement surgery costs $20,000 to $50,000 before insurance. Actual costs in Pittsburgh, PA depend on the provider and your insurance plan. MRIs and advanced imaging often require prior authorization. Physical therapy sessions are usually covered but may be capped at a certain number per year. Verify in-network status for both surgeon and facility before any procedure.
Pittsburgh healthcare revolves around the UPMC vs. AHN/Highmark divide. UPMC Health Plan members can use UPMC facilities at in-network rates. Highmark members have full access to AHN facilities and limited (though expanding) access to UPMC. Before choosing a primary care doctor, verify that your insurance covers their hospital system.
MD stands for Doctor of Medicine and DO stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Pittsburgh, PA, 69% hold the MD credential and 8% hold DO. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
77% of orthopedic surgeons in Pittsburgh, PA accept Medicare. Medicare covers orthopedic visits, imaging, and procedures when medically necessary. Joint replacements are covered under Part A (inpatient) or Part B (outpatient). Physical therapy is also covered with limits. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
UPMC and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield have been in a long-running business dispute because UPMC operates its own competing insurance plan. As a result, UPMC hospitals and many UPMC physicians are not fully in-network for Highmark insurance members, and vice versa. A consent decree required some continued access, but the terms have evolved. Always verify your coverage before scheduling appointments.
It depends. Under various agreements, some UPMC facilities and physicians remain accessible to Highmark members, particularly for emergency care and certain community hospitals. However, flagship UPMC hospitals like Presbyterian and Shadyside may be out-of-network for Highmark plans. Check with both your insurer and the provider before booking.
Top accepted carriers in Pittsburgh, PA include unitedhealthcare, medicare, centene, qhp-54192, and qhp-44228.
Orthopedic visits are covered as specialist visits under your medical insurance. MRIs and other imaging may require prior authorization. Physical therapy sessions are usually covered with a copay, though plans may limit the number per year. Joint replacement surgery is a major medical expense. Verify in-network status for both the surgeon and the facility.