Source: CMS Care Compare, July 2026 releaseER figures are medians, not live waitsAbout the data
Visiting Palmer Lutheran Health Center
West Union, IA 52175
County: Fayette Directions Apple Maps Call (563) 422-3811
- 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 Palmer Lutheran Health Center (opens the hospital's site)
Nearby hospitals
- 17mi Community Memorial Hospital Medical Center Sumner, IA · Emergency room · median ER visit 2 hr 12 min Call Community Memorial Hospital Medical Center Directions to Community Memorial Hospital Medical Center (Google Maps) Details for Community Memorial Hospital Medical Center
- 21mi Mercy Hospital of Franciscan Sisters-Oelwein Oelwein, IA · Emergency room · median ER visit 2 hr 3 min Call Mercy Hospital of Franciscan Sisters-Oelwein Directions to Mercy Hospital of Franciscan Sisters-Oelwein (Google Maps) Details for Mercy Hospital of Franciscan Sisters-Oelwein
- 21mi MercyOne Elkader Medical Center Elkader, IA · Emergency room · median ER visit 1 hr 54 min Call MercyOne Elkader Medical Center Directions to MercyOne Elkader Medical Center (Google Maps) Details for MercyOne Elkader Medical Center
Quick answers about Palmer Lutheran Health Center
How long is the ER wait at Palmer Lutheran Health Center?
CMS doesn't publish live wait times. Over the 12 months CMS reported, patients treated and sent home spent a median of 1 hr 25 min in the Palmer Lutheran Health Center emergency room (the average across Iowa hospitals is 2 hr 8 min). 0% 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) 422-3811. In an emergency, call 911.
What is the phone number for Palmer Lutheran Health Center?
The main phone number for Palmer Lutheran Health Center is (563) 422-3811, from Medicare's hospital records.
Call (563) 422-3811What is the address of Palmer Lutheran Health Center?
Palmer Lutheran Health Center is at 112 Jefferson St, West Union, IA 52175.
Directions (opens Google Maps)Does Palmer Lutheran Health Center have an emergency room?
Yes. Palmer Lutheran Health Center has an emergency department, according to Medicare data.
What is Palmer Lutheran Health Center's Medicare star rating?
Palmer Lutheran Health Center has an overall rating of 5 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 July 2026
Patients treated and sent home from the emergency department at Palmer Lutheran Health Center spend a median of 1 hour 25 minutes there. That is 43 minutes shorter 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 Palmer Lutheran Health Center. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Compare ER waits across Iowa · How Iowa hospitals rank on star ratings · Other Critical Access hospitals in Iowa · How we source this data · Something wrong on this page? Tell us
What patients say
CMS patient survey (HCAHPS) · 68 completed surveys · patients discharged Oct 2024 – Sep 2025
75% would definitely recommend it (U.S. average 71%). 83% 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. CMS gives a star rating only to hospitals with at least 100 completed surveys, so this hospital has answer percentages but no stars. These results come from fewer than 100 completed surveys, so CMS advises using them with caution. About the data.
Infections, complications and deaths
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · compared with hospitals nationwide
Death rates within 30 days
| Patients treated for | This hospital | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital-wide, all conditions | 4.6% | 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.
"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). 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 Palmer Lutheran Health Center accept?
Original Medicare: Medicare-certified, so it can bill Original Medicare (Medicare number 161316). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Palmer Lutheran Health Center accept?
In the 2027 HealthCare.gov Marketplace plan data (insurer network files loaded November 4, 2026), Palmer Lutheran Health Center is in network for 1 Marketplace insurer in Iowa: 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 Palmer Lutheran Health Center take Medicare?
Palmer Lutheran Health Center is a Medicare-certified hospital (CMS Certification Number 161316), 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 Palmer Lutheran Health Center accept Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield?
Palmer Lutheran Health Center 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.
Timely and effective care
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · all patients unless noted · Oct 2024 – Sep 2025
Palmer Lutheran Health Center's emergency department is classed by CMS as low 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. 14 patients. | 64% | 65% |
| 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. 297 patients. | 85 min | 162 min |
| Typical ER time for mental health patients sent homeMedian minutes from arrival to leaving. Lower is better. 21 patients. | 162 min | 257 min |
| Typical ER time for patients transferred to another facilityMedian minutes from arrival to leaving. Lower is better. 30 patients. | 228 min | 287 min |
| Patients who left the ER before being seenLower is better. 3,500 patients. | 0% | 2% |
| Health care workers vaccinated against fluHigher is better. 249 patients. | 84% | 78% |
| 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. 30 patients. | 10% | 15% |
| Blood clot prevention givenHigher is better. 57 patients. | 79% | 90%* |
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.
Care after a stay at Palmer Lutheran Health Center
Medicare-certified providers near this hospital, with their CMS ratings. A hospital discharge planner can make the referral.
Skilled nursing facilities nearby
- 0.2mi Good Samaritan - West Union West Union, IA · 52 beds Medicare overall 2 of 5 stars
- 8.8mi Maple Crest Manor Fayette, IA · 46 beds Medicare overall 2 of 5 stars
- 13mi Ossian Care Center Ossian, IA · 46 beds Medicare overall 3 of 5 stars
Skilled nursing ratings and inspections at Nursing Homes In Each State
Dialysis centers nearby See more
- 1.9mi DaVita West Union Dialysis CenterWest Union, IA
Home health agencies nearby See more
- 1.9mi Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hosp & Clin-Home HealthWest Union, IA · 71% would recommend
Hospice care providers nearby See more
- 1.9mi Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hosp and Clinics-HospiceWest Union, IA · 88% would recommend Not rated
- 24mi St Croix HospiceStrawberry Point, IA · 90% would recommend
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Doctors at Palmer Lutheran Health Center
59 Medicare-enrolled doctors and other clinicians list this hospital as an affiliation, across 22 specialties.
Find doctors in West Union
Medicare-enrolled specialists with a practice in West Union, with addresses, phone numbers and the hospitals they work with.
Federal rules require hospitals to publish their prices, including the rates they've negotiated with each insurer and their cash prices. Palmer Lutheran Health Center lists them here:
From the hospital's price transparency file (www.gundersenhealth.org/cms-hpt.txt), checked Nov 7, 2026. For an estimate of what you'll pay, ask the hospital or your insurer; Medicare's averages are on our procedure cost pages.
Size and finances
Medicare cost report · fiscal year ending Sep 2024
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 Palmer Lutheran Health Center
Medicare enrollment and ownership records (PECOS)
Medicare lists the hospital's legal name as Palmer Lutheran Health Center Inc, a non-profit organization.
125 doctors and other clinicians list Palmer Lutheran Health Center 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.
Non-profit finances
IRS Form 990 · tax year ending Sep 2023 · Palmer Lutheran Health Center Inc (EIN 42-1320763)
As filed with the IRS by Palmer Lutheran Health Center Inc. Matched by name and address, so check the filing to confirm it's the right organization. See the full Form 990 filings · Non-profit hospital finances.
The area around Palmer Lutheran Health Center
HRSA shortage designations and BLS pay data
Primary care: Parts of Fayette are federally designated health professional shortage areas (1 designation). Highest shortage score 15.
Mental health: Fayette is a federally designated health professional shortage area. Highest shortage score 16.
Dental: Parts of Fayette are federally designated health professional shortage areas (1 designation). Highest shortage score 15.
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 Palmer Lutheran Health Center? 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.