Detroit (john D. Dingell) Va Medical Center vs Avera St Lukes
Side-by-side hospital cost and quality comparison from CMS Medicare data
Detroit (john D. Dingell) Va Medical Center is in Michigan; Avera St Lukes is in South Dakota. Cross-state comparisons need to account for the Medicare wage-index adjustment, which can move payments by 30% between high-cost-of-living states and low-cost-of-living ones, before any hospital-specific factors enter. The cost gap is moderate: $9,372 vs $10,445, about 10% apart. Enough to matter for high-volume procedures but not so wide that it dominates the choice. Detroit (john D. Dingell) Va Medical Center edges ahead on the value rubric.
The cost difference is enough to factor into elective scheduling for any procedure that both hospitals offer. For emergency or specialized care, the choice is often dictated by other factors.
Verdict
Detroit (john D. Dingell) Va Medical Center earns a higher Value Score of 92/100 (A) compared to Avera St Lukes at 86/100 (A). Average Medicare payment differs by $1,073 ($9,372 vs $10,445). Detroit (john D. Dingell) Va Medical Center holds a 5-star CMS rating.
| Metric | Detroit (john D. Dingell) Va Medical Center | Avera St Lukes |
|---|---|---|
| Value Score Composite of price, quality, and outcomes | 92/100 (A)* | 86/100 (A) |
| CMS Quality Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Avg Payment Average Medicare payment across all procedures | $9,372* | $10,445 |
| Outcome Score | 70/100* | 50/100 |
| Emergency Services | Yes | Yes |
| Hospital Type | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Acute Care Hospitals |
| Ownership | Veterans Health Administration | Voluntary non-profit - Church |
| Location | Detroit, MI | Aberdeen, SD |
| Procedures Tracked | 11 | 9 |
Detroit (john D. Dingell) Va Medical Center earns a higher Value Score of 92/100 (A) compared to Avera St Lukes at 86/100 (A). Average Medicare payment differs by $1,073 ($9,372 vs $10,445). Detroit (john D. Dingell) Va Medical Center holds a 5-star CMS rating.
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Source: CMS Hospital Price Transparency, 2026.