St Louis-John Cochran Va Medical Center vs Avera St Lukes
Side-by-side hospital cost and quality comparison from CMS Medicare data
St Louis-John Cochran Va Medical Center is in Missouri; 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: $9,039 vs $10,445, about 13% apart. Enough to matter for high-volume procedures but not so wide that it dominates the choice. St Louis-John Cochran 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
St Louis-John Cochran Va Medical Center earns a higher Value Score of 94/100 (A) compared to Avera St Lukes at 86/100 (A). Average Medicare payment differs by $1,406 ($9,039 vs $10,445). St Louis-John Cochran Va Medical Center holds a 5-star CMS rating.
| Metric | St Louis-John Cochran Va Medical Center | Avera St Lukes |
|---|---|---|
| Value Score Composite of price, quality, and outcomes | 94/100 (A)* | 86/100 (A) |
| CMS Quality Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Avg Payment Average Medicare payment across all procedures | $9,039* | $10,445 |
| Outcome Score | 80/100* | 50/100 |
| Emergency Services | Yes | Yes |
| Hospital Type | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Acute Care Hospitals |
| Ownership | Veterans Health Administration | Voluntary non-profit - Church |
| Location | St. Louis, MO | Aberdeen, SD |
| Procedures Tracked | 11 | 9 |
St Louis-John Cochran Va Medical Center earns a higher Value Score of 94/100 (A) compared to Avera St Lukes at 86/100 (A). Average Medicare payment differs by $1,406 ($9,039 vs $10,445). St Louis-John Cochran Va Medical Center holds a 5-star CMS rating.
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Source: CMS Hospital Price Transparency, 2026.