St Elizabeth Dearborn Hospital vs Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center
Side-by-side hospital cost and quality comparison from CMS Medicare data
This comparison crosses state lines: St Elizabeth Dearborn Hospital (Indiana) versus Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center (Iowa). Cost differences are influenced by the federal wage-index adjustment in addition to hospital-specific cost structure. Average payments are close: $11,078 vs $11,438, only 3% apart. With cost close to tied, the quality measures do most of the work in the value-rubric comparison. Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center 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
Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center earns a higher Value Score of 87/100 (A) compared to St Elizabeth Dearborn Hospital at 85/100 (A). Average Medicare payment differs by $360 ($11,078 vs $11,438). Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center holds a 5-star CMS rating.
| Metric | St Elizabeth Dearborn Hospital | Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center |
|---|---|---|
| Value Score Composite of price, quality, and outcomes | 85/100 (A) | 87/100 (A)* |
| CMS Quality Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Avg Payment Average Medicare payment across all procedures | $11,078* | $11,438 |
| Outcome Score | 50/100 | 66/100* |
| Emergency Services | Yes | Yes |
| Hospital Type | Acute Care Hospitals | Acute Care Hospitals |
| Ownership | Government - Local | Voluntary non-profit - Church |
| Location | Lawrenceburg, IN | Dubuque, IA |
| Procedures Tracked | 18 | 11 |
Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center earns a higher Value Score of 87/100 (A) compared to St Elizabeth Dearborn Hospital at 85/100 (A). Average Medicare payment differs by $360 ($11,078 vs $11,438). Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center holds a 5-star CMS rating.
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Source: CMS Hospital Price Transparency, 2026.