Rex Hospital vs Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center
Side-by-side hospital cost and quality comparison from CMS Medicare data
Rex Hospital is in North Carolina; Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center is in Iowa. 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: $10,102 vs $11,438, about 12% apart. Enough to matter for high-volume procedures but not so wide that it dominates the choice. Rex Hospital 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
Rex Hospital earns a higher Value Score of 94/100 (A) compared to Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center at 87/100 (A). Average Medicare payment differs by $1,336 ($10,102 vs $11,438). Rex Hospital holds a 5-star CMS rating.
| Metric | Rex Hospital | Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center |
|---|---|---|
| Value Score Composite of price, quality, and outcomes | 94/100 (A)* | 87/100 (A) |
| CMS Quality Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Avg Payment Average Medicare payment across all procedures | $10,102* | $11,438 |
| Outcome Score | 88/100* | 66/100 |
| Emergency Services | Yes | Yes |
| Hospital Type | Acute Care Hospitals | Acute Care Hospitals |
| Ownership | Government - State | Voluntary non-profit - Church |
| Location | Raleigh, NC | Dubuque, IA |
| Procedures Tracked | 12 | 11 |
Rex Hospital earns a higher Value Score of 94/100 (A) compared to Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center at 87/100 (A). Average Medicare payment differs by $1,336 ($10,102 vs $11,438). Rex Hospital holds a 5-star CMS rating.
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Source: CMS Hospital Price Transparency, 2026.