Avera St Lukes vs Va Eastern Colorado Healthcare System
Side-by-side hospital cost and quality comparison from CMS Medicare data
This comparison crosses state lines: Avera St Lukes (South Dakota) versus Va Eastern Colorado Healthcare System (Colorado). Cost differences are influenced by the federal wage-index adjustment in addition to hospital-specific cost structure. Average payments are close: $10,445 vs $11,427, only 9% apart. With cost close to tied, the quality measures do most of the work in the value-rubric comparison. Va Eastern Colorado Healthcare System comes out slightly ahead.
With costs this close, the choice between these two hospitals turns on the quality measure set, geographic convenience, or insurance-network status rather than payment-per-procedure differences.
Verdict
Va Eastern Colorado Healthcare System earns a higher Value Score of 88/100 (A) compared to Avera St Lukes at 86/100 (A). Average Medicare payment differs by $982 ($10,445 vs $11,427). Va Eastern Colorado Healthcare System holds a 5-star CMS rating.
| Metric | Avera St Lukes | Va Eastern Colorado Healthcare System |
|---|---|---|
| Value Score Composite of price, quality, and outcomes | 86/100 (A) | 88/100 (A)* |
| CMS Quality Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Avg Payment Average Medicare payment across all procedures | $10,445* | $11,427 |
| Outcome Score | 50/100 | 70/100* |
| Emergency Services | Yes | Yes |
| Hospital Type | Acute Care Hospitals | Acute Care - Veterans Administration |
| Ownership | Voluntary non-profit - Church | Veterans Health Administration |
| Location | Aberdeen, SD | Aurora, CO |
| Procedures Tracked | 9 | 14 |
Va Eastern Colorado Healthcare System earns a higher Value Score of 88/100 (A) compared to Avera St Lukes at 86/100 (A). Average Medicare payment differs by $982 ($10,445 vs $11,427). Va Eastern Colorado Healthcare System holds a 5-star CMS rating.
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Source: CMS Hospital Price Transparency, 2026.