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Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD

(Dr. Deron Ludwig, MD)

(1 Rating)

Specializes in: General Surgery, Bariatric Medicine and General Practice

Loma Linda University School of Medicine (1994)

Professional interests include: obesity, weight loss, duodenal switch, and more.

500 West Broadway Street Floor 4
Missoula, MT 59802

(406) 329-5866

Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD is a general surgeon in Missoula, MT specializing in general surgery, bariatric medicine and general practice. He graduated from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in 1994 and has 32 years of experience. Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD is affiliated with Providence and Providence St. Patrick Hospital.

Office Locations

Providence St. Patrick Hospital

500 West Broadway Street Floor 4
Missoula, MT 59802

(406) 329-5866

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Some issues Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD can help you with:

Weight Loss Surgery (Bariatric Surgery)

Bariatric or weight-loss surgery is a surgical procedure performed to help significantly obese patients lose weight when more traditional methods, such as dieting and exercise, have not helped. Depending on the type, these surgeries change the gastrointestinal tract to limit how much food can be eaten and also change how food is absorbed by the body. Of the various bariatric surgeries available, the most common is gastric bypass.

By far the most common of the gastric bypass surgeries is called Roux-en-Y. During this surgery, part of the stomach and small intestine are detached from the gastrointestinal tract, in order to make the tract smaller. The surgeon divides the stomach into two parts. The working stomach, at the end of the esophagus, is now tiny - only the size of a walnut. This makes patients feel full after eating a small amount of food. Then the small intestine is also divided, and after bypassing a section of the small intestine to reduce food absorption, the intestine is attached to the small stomach pouch. The patient now has a working stomach and intestine like before, only much smaller.

Because gastric bypass is used to treat extreme obesity, it can reduce the risk of some of the problems associated with obesity. Gastric bypass can help treat or reduce the risk for such conditions as heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and type 2 diabetes. However, it is a major surgery and also carries risks itself. Any surgery can lead to infection, bleeding, or blood clots, and weight loss surgery in particular carries risks of leaks in the gastrointestinal system, malnutrition, bowel obstructions, and vomiting.

Typically patients are considered candidates for gastric bypass surgery if they have a BMI greater than 40, or sometimes if they have a BMI between 35 and 40 but are suffering from obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes. The outlook is generally good, with most patients losing between 50-75% of their excess weight in 1-2 years. However, patients must follow strict diet guidelines so that the stomach can heal, starting with no food at all, then followed by a liquid diet for some time. For many severely obese patients who have tried strict diets before without success, gastric bypass surgery is the tool that allows them to finally achieve their weight loss and health goals.

In The News

“At any rate, she said, for nearly a year now, Dr. Deron Ludwig has done all the bariatric surgery at Enloe, using a laproscopic method that significantly reduces complications.”—"Enloe Medical Center questions HealthGrades rating", Daily Democrat, November 2006

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD in 2023

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 5%

By Volume:

gastrointestinal surgery

laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair

laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

laparoscopic surgery

weight loss surgery

By Affordability:

gastrectomy

laparoscopic weight loss surgery

In 2023, among providers in related specialties within Montana, Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD performed more gastrointestinal surgery, laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic surgery, and weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery) procedures for Medicare patients than 95% of them and he also had a list price for gastrectomy, laparoscopic weight loss surgery, partial gastrectomy, sleeve gastrectomy, weight loss, and weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery) that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 95% of them. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD treated as a general surgeon in Missoula, MT during 2012 were minimally invasive procedures, gastrointestinal procedures, metabolic testing and health and behavior assessment.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery	12
diagnostic procedures	28
doctor visit	341
gastrointestinal procedures	71
health and behavior assessment	41
metabolic testing	42
minimally invasive procedures	71
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	28
weight management	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD treated as a general surgeon in Missoula, MT during 2013 were health and behavior assessment, minimally invasive procedures, gastrointestinal procedures and weight management.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures	24
doctor visit	360
gastrointestinal procedures	90
health and behavior assessment	184
metabolic testing	24
minimally invasive procedures	90
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	24
weight management	30

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD.

**Gender**
Male	71
Female	156

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	197
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	84
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	108

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD in 2013

Hypertension	67
High Cholesterol	54
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	22
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	12
Asthma	17
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	18
Diabetes	42
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD treated as a general surgeon in Missoula, MT during 2014 were health and behavior assessment, minimally invasive procedures, gastrointestinal procedures and weight management.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures	23
doctor visit	261
gastrointestinal procedures	70
health and behavior assessment	201
minimally invasive procedures	70
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	23
weight management	29

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD.

**Gender**
Male	56
Female	157

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	191
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	96
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	88

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD in 2014

Hypertension	65
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	21
Depression	38
Chronic Kidney Disease	19
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	5
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	42
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD treated as a general surgeon in Missoula, MT during 2015 were health and behavior assessment, minimally invasive procedures, gastrointestinal procedures and weight management.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures	25
doctor visit	268
gastrointestinal procedures	105
health and behavior assessment	482
minimally invasive procedures	105
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	25
weight management	46

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD.

**Gender**
Male	138
Female	366

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	454
Black	0
Hispanic	24
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	240
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	226

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD in 2015

Hypertension	65
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	19
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	22
Asthma	17
Osteoperosis	5
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	51
Dementia	0
Cancer	4

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD treated as a general surgeon in Missoula, MT during 2016 were health and behavior assessment, minimally invasive procedures, gastrointestinal procedures and weight management.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures	23
doctor visit	257
gastrointestinal procedures	125
health and behavior assessment	599
minimally invasive procedures	125
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	23
weight management	63

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD.

**Gender**
Male	84
Female	190

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	243
Black	0
Hispanic	17
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	133
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	115

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD in 2016

Hypertension	66
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	20
Depression	41
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	24
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	46
Dementia	0
Cancer	4

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD treated as a general surgeon in Missoula, MT during 2017 were health and behavior assessment, minimally invasive procedures, gastrointestinal procedures and weight management.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures	19
doctor visit	321
gastrointestinal procedures	110
health and behavior assessment	869
minimally invasive procedures	110
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	19
weight management	47

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD.

**Gender**
Male	82
Female	250

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	290
Black	0
Hispanic	22
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	147
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	159

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD in 2017

Hypertension	64
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	20
Depression	46
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	17
Osteoperosis	5
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	48
Dementia	0
Cancer	5

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD treated as a general surgeon in Missoula, MT during 2018 were health and behavior assessment, minimally invasive procedures, gastrointestinal procedures and weight management.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures	18
doctor visit	385
gastrointestinal procedures	127
health and behavior assessment	875
minimally invasive procedures	127
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	18
weight management	53

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD.

**Gender**
Male	75
Female	262

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	281
Black	0
Hispanic	28
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	11

**Age**
From 65 to 74	162
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	151

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD in 2018

Hypertension	61
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	17
Depression	45
Chronic Kidney Disease	23
Asthma	19
Osteoperosis	5
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	44
Dementia	0
Cancer	6

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD treated as a general surgeon in Missoula, MT during 2019 were health and behavior assessment, minimally invasive procedures, gastrointestinal procedures and weight management.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures	17
doctor visit	422
gastrointestinal procedures	103
health and behavior assessment	497
minimally invasive procedures	103
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	17
weight management	37

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD.

**Gender**
Male	73
Female	256

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	283
Black	0
Hispanic	22
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	12

**Age**
From 65 to 74	172
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	138

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD in 2019

Hypertension	63
High Cholesterol	55
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	19
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	22
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	5
Atrial Fibrilation	7
Heart Failure	10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	42
Dementia	0
Cancer	3

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD treated as a general surgeon in Missoula, MT during 2020 were minimally invasive procedures, weight management and gastrointestinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	195
gastrointestinal procedures	24
minimally invasive procedures	24
weight management	24

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD.

**Gender**
Male	36
Female	125

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	144
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	97
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	53

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD in 2020

Hypertension	56
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	17
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	19
Asthma	19
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	7
Heart Failure	7
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	39
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD treated as a general surgeon in Missoula, MT during 2021 were minimally invasive procedures, gastrointestinal procedures, removal of lesion (e.g. growth) and diagnostic procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures	12
doctor visit	236
gastrointestinal procedures	49
minimally invasive procedures	49
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	12

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD.

**Gender**
Male	35
Female	134

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	156
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	93
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	50

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD in 2021

Hypertension	59
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	20
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	19
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	31
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD treated as a general surgeon in Missoula, MT during 2022 were minimally invasive procedures, gastrointestinal procedures, weight management and removal of lesion (e.g. growth).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures	19
doctor visit	195
gastrointestinal procedures	81
minimally invasive procedures	81
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	19
weight management	30

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD.

**Gender**
Male	43
Female	141

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	163
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	86
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	62

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD in 2022

Hypertension	70
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	15
Depression	35
Chronic Kidney Disease	10
Asthma	20
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	7
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	19
Diabetes	30
Dementia	0
Cancer	9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD treated as a general surgeon in Missoula, MT were health and behavior assessment, minimally invasive procedures, gastrointestinal procedures and weight management.

bypass surgery	12
diagnostic procedures	20
doctor visit	294
gastrointestinal procedures	86
health and behavior assessment	468
metabolic testing	33
minimally invasive procedures	86
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	20
weight management	37

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD.

**Gender**
Male	63
Female	185

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	218
Native American / Alaskan Native	2
Hispanic	10
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	104
65 to 74	119

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and depression.

Hypertension	57
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	17
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	18
Asthma	15
Osteoporosis	4
Heart Failure	10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	37
Atrial Fibrillation	8
Dementia	0
Cancer	2

Education & Training

Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD graduated from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in 1994. He completed residency at Virginia Mason Medical Center. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and has received the Focused Practice Designation for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and has a state license in Montana.

Medical School: Loma Linda University School of Medicine (1994)

Residency: Virginia Mason Medical Center (1999)

Board Certification: American Board of Surgery and has received the Focused Practice Designation for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

Licensed In: Montana

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Providence

Providence St. Patrick Hospital

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Humana PPO, Medicare Advantage, Interplan PPO, TriWest, Medicaid, OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions (United Behavioral Health), United Healthcare PPO, Providence, First Health, InterWest Health, Missoula County Employee Benefits Plan PPO, BCBS MT HMO-PPO, BCBS MT PPO, Pacific Source Health PPO, BCBS MT, Blue Cross of Idaho Health Service, Mountain Health Co-Op, Allegiance PPO, First Choice PPO, BCBS MT HMO and Interwest Health PPO.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

Humana PPO

Medicare Advantage

Interplan PPO

TriWest

Medicaid

OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions (United Behavioral Health)

United Healthcare PPO

Providence

First Health

InterWest Health

Missoula County Employee Benefits Plan PPO

BCBS MT HMO-PPO

BCBS MT PPO

Pacific Source Health PPO

BCBS MT

Blue Cross of Idaho Health Service

Mountain Health Co-Op

Allegiance PPO

First Choice PPO

BCBS MT HMO

Interwest Health PPO

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 1 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Missoula, MT.

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Deron J. Ludwig, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Covidien LP	$153 Surgical Innovations $139	$13
Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.	$139 Contrave $52	Dexilant $46	AMITIZA $23	Trintellix $17
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.	$93 Da Vinci Surgical System $93
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc	$87 XARELTO $87
Novo Nordisk Inc	$59 Saxenda $59
Other	$210 STRATAFIX $56	Sutures $39	Endo Stapling $31	Trintellix $30	Signia $24	Other $31

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$742

Biography

Dr. Deron Ludwig is a medical specialist in general surgery and bariatric medicine. Dr. Ludwig attended Loma Linda University School of Medicine and subsequently trained at Virginia Mason Medical Center for residency. His clinical interests include obesity, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and anti-reflux surgery. He appears to be an in-network provider for United Healthcare PPO, HealthSmart, and Coventry, in addition to other insurance carriers. Dr. Ludwig is professionally affiliated with Providence.