Source: CMS Care Compare, October 2026 releaseER figures are medians, not live waitsAbout the data
Visiting Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque
- Photo ID and your insurance, Medicare or Medicaid card
- A list of your medicines, doses and allergies
- Your doctor's name and phone number
- A phone charger
Official links: Website for Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque (opens the hospital's site)
Nearby hospitals
- 0.7mi The Finley Hospital Dubuque, IA · Emergency room · median ER visit 2 hr Call The Finley Hospital Directions to The Finley Hospital (Google Maps) Details for The Finley Hospital
- 11mi Midwest Medical Center Galena, IL · Emergency room Call Midwest Medical Center Directions to Midwest Medical Center (Google Maps) Details for Midwest Medical Center
- 19mi Southwest Health Center Platteville, WI · Emergency room · median ER visit 2 hr Call Southwest Health Center Directions to Southwest Health Center (Google Maps) Details for Southwest Health Center
Quick answers about Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque
How long is the ER wait at Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque?
CMS doesn't publish live wait times. Over the 12 months CMS reported, patients treated and sent home spent a median of 3 hr 25 min in the Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque emergency room (the average across Iowa hospitals is 2 hr 8 min). 4% of ER patients left before being seen. For tonight's wait, check the hospital's website (opens the hospital's own site) or call (563) 589-8000. In an emergency, call 911.
What is the phone number for Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque?
The main phone number for Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque is (563) 589-8000, from Medicare's hospital records.
Call (563) 589-8000What is the address of Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque?
Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque is at 250 Mercy Dr, Dubuque, IA 52001.
Directions (opens Google Maps)Does Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque have an emergency room?
Yes. Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque has an emergency department, according to Medicare data.
What is Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque's Medicare star rating?
Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque has an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Star ratings come from CMS quality and safety measures, not patient reviews.
Quality and performance
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · data as of October 2026
Patients treated and sent home from the emergency department at Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque spend a median of 3 hours 25 minutes there. That is 1 hour 17 minutes longer than the average across Iowa hospitals (2 hours 8 minutes).
Source: CMS Hospital General Information and Timely & Effective Care. Wait times are a median over a past 12-month reporting period, not live data. Not affiliated with CMS or with Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Compare ER waits across Iowa · How Iowa hospitals rank on star ratings · Other birthing-friendly hospitals in Iowa · How we source this data · Something wrong on this page? Tell us
What patients say
CMS patient survey (HCAHPS) · 770 completed surveys · patients discharged Jan 2025 – Dec 2025
Patients gave Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque a 3-star patient experience rating out of 5. 76% would definitely recommend it (U.S. average 71%). 74% rated it 9 or 10 out of 10.
The patient survey (HCAHPS) asks a random sample of adult patients about their recent hospital stay. CMS adjusts the results for the mix of patients and how the survey was done, so hospitals can be compared fairly. About the data.
Compare Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque
Infections, complications and deaths
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · compared with hospitals nationwide
Of the 3 hospital-acquired infections CMS could compare, Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque was better than the national benchmark on 1 and worse on 0. Its rate of serious complications was worse than national.
Hospital-acquired infections
Serious complications
Death rates within 30 days
| Patients treated for | This hospital | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Heart attack patients | 13.2% | 11.9% |
| Heart failure patients | 11.0% | 11.1% |
| Pneumonia patients | 14.9% | 15.2% |
| Stroke patients | 12.1% | 11.9% |
| COPD patients | 10.3% | 8.6% |
| Hospital-wide, all conditions | 3.6% | 3.9% |
Risk-adjusted rates. CMS has not published a statistical better/worse comparison for these death rates in the current release, so small differences from the U.S. rate may be chance.
Other complications
All 11 complication measures
| Measure | This hospital | U.S. | CMS comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complications after hip or knee replacement% of patients | 3.7 | 4.1 | Not compared |
| Pressure ulcers (bed sores)per 1,000 patients | 0.3 | 0.55 | Same as national |
| Falls in the hospital that caused a broken boneper 1,000 patients | 0.22 | 0.24 | Same as national |
| Collapsed lung caused by a medical procedureper 1,000 patients | 0.17 | 0.18 | Same as national |
| Bleeding or blood clot under the skin after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 2.38 | 2.25 | Same as national |
| Kidney injury needing dialysis after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 2.24 | 1.56 | Same as national |
| Respiratory failure after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 21.11 | 8.15 | Worse than national |
| Blood clots in the lungs or legs after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 4.61 | 3.31 | Same as national |
| Bloodstream infection (sepsis) after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 7.49 | 4.89 | Same as national |
| Surgical wound splitting openper 1,000 patients | 2.07 | 1.7 | Same as national |
| Accidental cuts or tears during abdominal surgeryper 1,000 patients | 0.96 | 1.04 | Same as national |
"Better" or "worse" means CMS found the difference from the national benchmark statistically significant; most hospitals are "no different". Infection results compare the infections a hospital reported with the number predicted for a hospital of its size and type (a ratio below 1 means fewer than predicted), for Jan 2025 – Dec 2025. Death and complication rates are risk-adjusted for how sick patients were. Each death rate counts deaths within 30 days of a hospital stay, pooled over one to three years of Medicare patients depending on the measure. About the data.
What insurance does Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque accept?
Original Medicare: Medicare-certified, so it can bill Original Medicare (Medicare number 160069). Medicare Advantage plans have their own networks, which this section does not cover.
2027 Marketplace plans in Iowa that list this hospital
| Insurer | Plans in network | Network | Network tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oscar | 27 of 27 plans | – | Preferred |
| Ambetter | 17 of 17 plans | – | Preferred |
| Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield | 7 of 10 plans | WELLMARK-BLUE-HMO-NETWORK | Wellmark-Blue-Hmo-Network |
2027 plan year, individual Marketplace (ACA) plans only.Health insurance in Iowa
Plans that include this hospital: Wellmark Bronze HDHP HMO HSA Qualified, Wellmark Bronze Traditional HMO, Wellmark Gold Traditional HMO, Wellmark Silver Traditional HMO, Wellmark Standard Bronze HMO, Wellmark Standard Gold HMO Compare plans
Adults in Iowa qualify for Medicaid up to 133% of the poverty line. Ask the hospital which Iowa Medicaid plans it takes.
What insurance does Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque accept?
In the 2027 HealthCare.gov Marketplace plan data (insurer network files loaded November 4, 2026), Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque is in network for 3 Marketplace insurers in Iowa: Oscar (27 of 27 plans), Ambetter (17 of 17 plans) and Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield (7 of 10 plans). This covers Marketplace (ACA) plans only, not Medicare Advantage, Medicaid or employer plans. Networks differ from plan to plan and can change, so confirm with the insurer before you get care.
Does Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque take Medicare?
Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque is a Medicare-certified hospital (CMS Certification Number 160069), according to CMS hospital data. Medicare Advantage plans have their own networks, which this page does not cover; check with your plan before you get care.
Does Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque accept Oscar?
Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque is in network for 27 of 27 plans that Oscar sells on the Iowa Marketplace in 2027, according to Oscar's network file loaded November 4, 2026. Networks differ from plan to plan and can change, so confirm with the insurer before you get care.
Does Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque accept Ambetter?
Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque is in network for 17 of 17 plans that Ambetter sells on the Iowa Marketplace in 2027, according to Ambetter's network file loaded November 4, 2026. Networks differ from plan to plan and can change, so confirm with the insurer before you get care.
Does Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque accept Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield?
Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque is in network for 7 of 10 plans that Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield sells on the Iowa Marketplace in 2027, according to Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield's network file loaded November 4, 2026. Not every Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield plan includes it. Networks differ from plan to plan and can change, so confirm with the insurer before you get care.
Source: the insurers' 2027 machine-readable provider files listed in the CMS Marketplace public use files, loaded November 4, 2026, matched to hospitals by NPI from CMS Hospital Enrollments. How we match networks to hospitals Networks change; confirm with your insurer before you go.
Readmissions and return visits
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · Medicare patients · Jul 2024 – Jun 2025
On the 2 readmission and return-visit measures CMS could compare, Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque was no different from the national rate or its expected level.
Back in the hospital within 30 days
| After a stay for | This hospital | U.S. | CMS comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| All conditions (hospital-wide)Medicare patients back in any hospital within 30 days of leaving. | 15.7% | 16.2% | Not compared |
| Heart attack | 13.7% | 14.4% | Not compared |
| Heart failure | 21.7% | 21.3% | Not compared |
| Pneumonia | 17% | 17.3% | Not compared |
| COPD (chronic lung disease) | 20.7% | 20% | Not compared |
| Heart bypass surgery (CABG) | 10.4% | 11% | Not compared |
Return trips after a stay or procedure
Medicare's readmission program
Excess readmission ratio: this hospital's predicted readmissions divided by the number expected for a typical hospital with the same patients. Above 1.00 means more readmissions than expected. 1 of 4 conditions is above 1.00.
| Condition | Ratio | Patients | Readmissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart failure | 1.082 | 201 | More than expected |
| COPD | 0.965 | – | Fewer than expected |
| Heart attack | 0.907 | – | Fewer than expected |
| Pneumonia | 0.898 | 190 | Fewer than expected |
Readmission rates count Medicare patients who were admitted to any acute-care hospital within 30 days of leaving this one, adjusted for how sick they were. "Better" or "worse" means CMS found the difference from the national rate statistically significant; most hospitals are "no different". Return-day and outpatient-surgery measures compare the hospital with what CMS expected for its own patients. The Readmissions Reduction Program ratios are shown as CMS publishes them; whether a hospital's payments are reduced depends on how its ratios compare with similar hospitals, so a ratio above 1.00 alone doesn't mean a penalty. About the data.
Timely and effective care
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · all patients unless noted · Jan 2025 – Dec 2025
Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque's emergency department is classed by CMS as medium volume.
| Measure | This hospital | U.S.* |
|---|---|---|
| Sepsis: got all recommended early treatmentPatients with severe sepsis or septic shock who received every step of the recommended early care bundle. Higher is better. 404 patients. | 54% | 66% |
| Septic shock: full treatment within 3 hoursHigher is better. 130 patients. | 55% | 75% |
| Stroke: brain scan read within 45 minutes of ER arrivalPatients arriving with stroke symptoms whose head CT or MRI was interpreted within 45 minutes. Higher is better. 17 patients. | 88% | 69% |
| Typical time in the ER before going homeMedian minutes from arrival to leaving, for ER patients sent home (not counting mental health patients or transfers). Lower is better. 465 patients. | 205 min | 162 min |
| Typical ER time for mental health patients sent homeMedian minutes from arrival to leaving. Lower is better. 38 patients. | 228 min | 257 min |
| Typical ER time for patients transferred to another facilityMedian minutes from arrival to leaving. Lower is better. 11 patients. | 221 min | 287 min |
| Patients who left the ER before being seenLower is better. 25,395 patients. | 4% | 2% |
| Health care workers vaccinated against fluHigher is better. 2,330 patients. | 55% | 77% |
| Discharged on two opioids, or an opioid and a benzodiazepinePatients sent home with prescriptions that raise the risk of overdose when combined. Lower is better. 2,224 patients. | 22% | 16% |
| Colonoscopy: right follow-up interval for average-risk patientsHigher is better. 120 patients. | 94% | 93% |
| Blood clot prevention givenHigher is better. 3,517 patients. | 84% | 91%* |
CMS publishes these process-of-care measures without a better/worse verdict, so the U.S. figure is shown for context; small differences, or results based on few patients, may not mean much. *Median of all hospitals CMS reports, where CMS publishes no national figure. About the data.
Maternity care
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · reported by the hospital · Jan 2025 – Dec 2025
Maternity measures are reported by hospitals that deliver babies. The U.S. figure is the median of the hospitals CMS reports, not a CMS verdict. About the data.
Medicare spending and payment programs
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Value-based purchasing scores by area
| Area | Score (out of 100) |
|---|---|
| Clinical outcomesDeath rates and complications | 4 |
| Patient experiencePatient survey results | 61 |
| SafetyHospital-acquired infections | 64 |
| Efficiency and costMedicare spending per patient | 30 |
The Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program cuts Medicare payments by 1% for the quarter of hospitals with the worst scores. The Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program withholds a small share of every hospital's Medicare payments and pays it back according to the total performance score. A spending ratio of 1.00 equals the national median; spending reflects prices, the services patients received and care after discharge, not quality. Some hospitals, such as critical access, children's and cancer hospitals, are not part of these programs. About the data.
Care after a stay at Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque
Medicare-certified providers near this hospital, with their CMS ratings. A hospital discharge planner can make the referral.
Skilled nursing facilities nearby
- 0.1mi Harmony Dubuque Dubuque, IA · 75 beds Medicare overall 2 of 5 stars · Short-stay quality 2 of 5
- 1.5mi Mount Carmel Bluffs Dubuque, IA · 60 beds Medicare overall 5 of 5 stars · Short-stay quality 2 of 5
- 2.0mi Bethany Home Dubuque, IA · 66 beds Medicare overall 5 of 5 stars
Skilled nursing ratings and inspections at Nursing Homes In Each State
Dialysis centers nearby See more
- 4.0mi Tri- State Dialysis - DubuqueDubuque, IA
- 5.4mi FKC Dubuque DialysisDubuque, IA Not rated
- 20mi Tri State DialysisPlatteville, WI
Home health agencies nearby See more
- 4.0mi Unitypoint at HomeDubuque, IA · 81% would recommend
- 4.3mi Open Arms Home Health CareDubuque, IA Not rated
- 5.4mi Universal PediatricsDubuque, IA Not rated
Hospice care providers nearby See more
- 5.4mi Hospice of DubuqueDubuque, IA · 94% would recommend
- 24mi Grant County HospiceLancaster, WI · 93% would recommend Not rated
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Inpatient rehabilitation unit
CMS Inpatient rehabilitation Quality Reporting Program, data through December 2025 · unit CCN 16T069
Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque runs an inpatient rehabilitation unit that reports its own results to Medicare. Returned home or to the community: 66% here, against 67% nationally. Where CMS compares facilities statistically, this one is no different from the national rate.
Results
Safety
Cost
Source: CMS Inpatient rehabilitation Quality Reporting Program (Provider Data Catalog). Better/worse labels appear only where CMS itself compared the facility with the national rate; other figures are shown next to the national figure for context.
Doctors at Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque
133 Medicare-enrolled doctors and other clinicians list this hospital as an affiliation, across 25 specialties.
Find doctors in Dubuque
Medicare-enrolled specialists with a practice in Dubuque, with addresses, phone numbers and the hospitals they work with.
What Medicare paid at Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · original Medicare patients · 2024
Average hospital charges and actual payments for the procedures Medicare patients most often had here, compared with the average for Iowa.
Hospital stays
| Stay | Stays | Avg billed | Avg payment (Medicare + patient) | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Septicemia or severe sepsis without ventilator >96 hours with major complicationsDRG 871 | 307 | $44,734 | $13,689 | −7% |
| Heart failure and shock with major complicationsDRG 291 | 173 | $32,145 | $8,891 | −10% |
| Respiratory infections and inflammations with major complicationsDRG 177 | 111 | $34,495 | $11,329 | −9% |
| Simple pneumonia and pleurisy with major complicationsDRG 193 | 104 | $29,569 | $9,242 | −8% |
| PsychosesDRG 885 | 99 | $34,109 | $9,817 | −13% |
| Acute myocardial infarction, discharged alive with major complicationsDRG 280 | 97 | $38,432 | $10,978 | −7% |
| Kidney and urinary tract infections with major complicationsDRG 689 | 65 | $28,002 | $8,185 | −8% |
| Septicemia or severe sepsis without ventilator >96 hours without major complicationsDRG 872 | 60 | $24,440 | $7,190 | −11% |
Outpatient services
| Service | Services | Avg billed | Avg allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 Musculoskeletal ProceduresAPC 5115 | 350 | $40,994 | $11,925 |
| Level 1 Endovascular ProceduresAPC 5191 | 280 | $18,935 | $2,962 |
| Comprehensive Observation ServicesAPC 8011 | 190 | $16,607 | $2,485 |
| Level 5 Urology and Related ServicesAPC 5375 | 154 | $20,259 | $4,694 |
| Level 2 Excision/Biopsy/Incision and DrainageAPC 5072 | 152 | $8,770 | $1,463 |
Charges are the hospital's list prices; payments are what Medicare, the patient and any other insurer actually paid (for outpatient services, Medicare's allowed amount). Private insurance prices differ. "vs state" compares this hospital's average payment with the state average for the same stay. All procedure costs.
Size and finances
Medicare cost report · fiscal year ending Jun 2025
As reported by the hospital to CMS; not audited. Operating margin is income from patient care divided by net patient revenue and leaves out investment income and donations. Compare Iowa hospital finances.
Who owns Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque
Medicare enrollment and ownership records (PECOS)
Medicare lists the hospital's legal name as Mercy Medical Center-dubuque, a non-profit organization.
256 doctors and other clinicians list Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque as a hospital affiliation in Medicare's clinician directory.
Organizations with 5% or more ownership (directly or through other companies), partnership interests or operational control, as the hospital reported them to Medicare. Records can lag behind recent sales. Individuals are not listed. Who owns America's hospitals.
The area around Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque
HRSA shortage designations and BLS pay data
Primary care: Parts of Dubuque are federally designated health professional shortage areas (1 designation). Highest shortage score 10.
Mental health: Parts of Dubuque are federally designated health professional shortage areas (1 designation). Highest shortage score 18.
Nurse pay: registered nurses in Iowa earn a median $78,630 a year. Healthcare salaries in Iowa.
Shortage areas are designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration where there are too few primary care, mental health or dental providers for the population; scores run from 0 to 25 for primary and mental health care and 0 to 26 for dental care, higher meaning greater need. Iowa shortage areas
Closest other hospitals
Healthcare pay in Iowa
Registered nurses across Iowa (all employers) earned a median of $78,630 a year (BLS, May 2025).Registered Nurse (RN) salary in IowaNurse Practitioner salary in IowaRespiratory Therapist salary in IowaHealthcare salaries in Iowa
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Cite this data
Writing about Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque? You're welcome to quote these figures. They are free to use under CC BY 4.0: please credit HospitalsInEachState.com and link to this page.