Source: CMS Care Compare, October 2026 releaseER figures are medians, not live waitsAbout the data
Visiting Forrest General Hospital
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
County: Lamar Directions Apple Maps Call (601) 288-7000
- 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 Forrest General Hospital (opens the hospital's site)
Nearby hospitals
- 2.3mi Wesley Medical Center Hattiesburg, MS · Emergency room · median ER visit 2 hr 39 min Call Wesley Medical Center Directions to Wesley Medical Center (Google Maps) Details for Wesley Medical Center
- 12mi South Mississippi State Hospital Purvis, MS Call South Mississippi State Hospital Directions to South Mississippi State Hospital (Google Maps) Details for South Mississippi State Hospital
- 23mi Perry County General Hospital Richton, MS · Emergency room Call Perry County General Hospital Directions to Perry County General Hospital (Google Maps) Details for Perry County General Hospital
Quick answers about Forrest General Hospital
How long is the ER wait at Forrest General Hospital?
CMS doesn't publish live wait times. Over the 12 months CMS reported, patients treated and sent home spent a median of 3 hr 35 min in the Forrest General Hospital emergency room (the average across Mississippi hospitals is 2 hr 14 min). 1% of ER patients left before being seen. For tonight's wait, check the hospital's website (opens the hospital's own site) or call (601) 288-7000. In an emergency, call 911.
What is the phone number for Forrest General Hospital?
The main phone number for Forrest General Hospital is (601) 288-7000, from Medicare's hospital records.
Call (601) 288-7000What is the address of Forrest General Hospital?
Forrest General Hospital is at 6051 U S Highway 49, Hattiesburg, MS 39402.
Directions (opens Google Maps)Does Forrest General Hospital have an emergency room?
Yes. Forrest General Hospital has an emergency department, according to Medicare data.
What is Forrest General Hospital's Medicare star rating?
Forrest General Hospital has an overall rating of 2 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 Forrest General Hospital spend a median of 3 hours 35 minutes there. That is 1 hour 21 minutes longer than the average across Mississippi hospitals (2 hours 14 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 Forrest General Hospital. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Compare ER waits across Mississippi · How Mississippi hospitals rank on star ratings · Other birthing-friendly hospitals in Mississippi · How we source this data · Something wrong on this page? Tell us
What patients say
CMS patient survey (HCAHPS) · 1,857 completed surveys · patients discharged Jan 2025 – Dec 2025
Patients gave Forrest General Hospital a 3-star patient experience rating out of 5. 74% would definitely recommend it (U.S. average 71%). 72% 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 Forrest General Hospital
Infections, complications and deaths
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · compared with hospitals nationwide
Forrest General Hospital was no different from the national benchmark on all 6 hospital-acquired infections CMS could compare. Its rate of serious complications was same as national.
Hospital-acquired infections
Serious complications
Death rates within 30 days
| Patients treated for | This hospital | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Heart attack patients | 11.8% | 11.9% |
| Heart failure patients | 13.7% | 11.1% |
| Pneumonia patients | 19.2% | 15.2% |
| Stroke patients | 11.6% | 11.9% |
| COPD patients | 10.9% | 8.6% |
| Coronary bypass (CABG) surgery patients | 2.3% | 2.4% |
| 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.
Other complications
None of the other safety indicators CMS compares was statistically better or worse than national.
All 11 complication measures
| Measure | This hospital | U.S. | CMS comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complications after hip or knee replacement% of patients | 3.6 | 4.1 | Not compared |
| Pressure ulcers (bed sores)per 1,000 patients | 0.43 | 0.55 | Same as national |
| Falls in the hospital that caused a broken boneper 1,000 patients | 0.23 | 0.24 | Same as national |
| Collapsed lung caused by a medical procedureper 1,000 patients | 0.22 | 0.18 | Same as national |
| Bleeding or blood clot under the skin after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 2.54 | 2.25 | Same as national |
| Kidney injury needing dialysis after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 1.09 | 1.56 | Same as national |
| Respiratory failure after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 8.22 | 8.15 | Same as national |
| Blood clots in the lungs or legs after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 2.94 | 3.31 | Same as national |
| Bloodstream infection (sepsis) after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 4.55 | 4.89 | Same as national |
| Surgical wound splitting openper 1,000 patients | 2.53 | 1.7 | Same as national |
| Accidental cuts or tears during abdominal surgeryper 1,000 patients | 1.34 | 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 Forrest General Hospital accept?
Original Medicare: Medicare-certified, so it can bill Original Medicare (Medicare number 250078). Medicare Advantage plans have their own networks, which this section does not cover.
2027 Marketplace plans in Mississippi that list this hospital
| Insurer | Plans in network | Network tier |
|---|---|---|
| Ambetter | 19 of 19 plans | Preferred |
| UnitedHealthcare | 15 of 15 plans | Non-Preferred |
2027 plan year, individual Marketplace (ACA) plans only.Health insurance in Mississippi
Plans that include this hospital: Ambetter Complete Gold, Ambetter Complete Gold + Vision + Adult Dental, Ambetter Enhanced Diabetes Care Silver, Ambetter Everyday Bronze, Ambetter Everyday Bronze + Vision + Adult Dental, Ambetter Everyday Gold Compare plans
What insurance does Forrest General Hospital accept?
In the 2027 HealthCare.gov Marketplace plan data (insurer network files loaded November 4, 2026), Forrest General Hospital is in network for 2 Marketplace insurers in Mississippi: Ambetter (19 of 19 plans) and UnitedHealthcare (15 of 15 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 Forrest General Hospital take Medicare?
Forrest General Hospital is a Medicare-certified hospital (CMS Certification Number 250078), 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 Forrest General Hospital accept Ambetter?
Forrest General Hospital is in network for 19 of 19 plans that Ambetter sells on the Mississippi 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 Forrest General Hospital accept UnitedHealthcare?
Forrest General Hospital is in network for 15 of 15 plans that UnitedHealthcare sells on the Mississippi Marketplace in 2027, according to UnitedHealthcare'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.
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 4 readmission and return-visit measures CMS could compare, Forrest General Hospital 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. | 17.1% | 16.2% | Not compared |
| Heart attack | 14.4% | 14.4% | Not compared |
| Heart failure | 21.6% | 21.3% | Not compared |
| Pneumonia | 17.9% | 17.3% | Not compared |
| COPD (chronic lung disease) | 21.2% | 20% | Not compared |
| Heart bypass surgery (CABG) | 11.9% | 11% | Not compared |
| Hip or knee replacement | 5.6% | 5.8% | 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. 5 of 6 conditions are above 1.00.
| Condition | Ratio | Patients | Readmissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart attack | 1.067 | 312 | More than expected |
| COPD | 1.060 | 240 | More than expected |
| Heart bypass surgery | 1.059 | 230 | More than expected |
| Pneumonia | 1.053 | 742 | More than expected |
| Heart failure | 1.013 | 697 | More than expected |
| Hip or knee replacement | 0.963 | 369 | 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
Forrest General Hospital's emergency department is classed by CMS as very high 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. 1,032 patients. | 64% | 66% |
| Septic shock: full treatment within 3 hoursHigher is better. 372 patients. | 70% | 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. 29 patients. | 83% | 69% |
| Heart attack (STEMI): timely clot-busting or artery-opening careHigher is better. 41 patients. | 49% | 53%* |
| 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. 508 patients. | 215 min | 162 min |
| Patients who left the ER before being seenLower is better. 78,364 patients. | 1% | 2% |
| Health care workers vaccinated against fluHigher is better. 4,553 patients. | 39% | 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. 7,933 patients. | 15% | 16% |
| Blood clot prevention givenHigher is better. 11,071 patients. | 92% | 91%* |
| Blood clot prevention given in intensive careHigher is better. 3,088 patients. | 100% | 97%* |
| Stroke: discharged on clot-prevention medicineHigher is better. 434 patients. | 99% | 98%* |
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 | 13.3 |
| Patient experiencePatient survey results | 48 |
| SafetyHospital-acquired infections | 15 |
| Efficiency and costMedicare spending per patient | 0 |
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 Forrest General Hospital
Medicare-certified providers near this hospital, with their CMS ratings. A hospital discharge planner can make the referral.
Skilled nursing facilities nearby
- <0.1mi Bedford Care Center of Hattiesburg Hattiesburg, MS · 120 beds Medicare overall 3 of 5 stars · Short-stay quality 2 of 5
- 1.6mi Bedford Alzheimer's Care Center Hattiesburg, MS · 60 beds Medicare overall 4 of 5 stars
- 1.6mi Bedford Care Center-Monroe Hall Hattiesburg, MS · 80 beds Medicare overall 4 of 5 stars · Short-stay quality 1 of 5
Skilled nursing ratings and inspections at Nursing Homes In Each State
Dialysis centers nearby See more
- 5.1mi Hattiesburg Clinic DialysisHattiesburg, MS
- 5.1mi West Hattiesburg Clinic DialysisHattiesburg, MS
Home health agencies nearby See more
- 5.1mi Enhabit Home Health & HospiceHattiesburg, MS · 87% would recommend
- 5.1mi Forrest General Home CareHattiesburg, MS · 87% would recommend
- 5.1mi Mississippi HomecareHattiesburg, MS
Hospice care providers nearby See more
- 5.1mi Enhabit HospiceHattiesburg, MS · 93% would recommend
- 5.1mi Forrest General Home Care and HospiceHattiesburg, MS · 92% would recommend
- 5.1mi St Joseph Hospice of Southern MississippiHattiesburg, MS · 86% would recommend
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Inpatient rehabilitation unit
CMS Inpatient rehabilitation Quality Reporting Program, data through December 2025 · unit CCN 25T078
Forrest General Hospital runs an inpatient rehabilitation unit that reports its own results to Medicare. Returned home or to the community: 71% 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 Forrest General Hospital
327 Medicare-enrolled doctors and other clinicians list this hospital as an affiliation, across 31 specialties.
Find doctors in Hattiesburg
Medicare-enrolled specialists with a practice in Hattiesburg, with addresses, phone numbers and the hospitals they work with.
What Medicare paid at Forrest General Hospital
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 Mississippi.
Hospital stays
| Stay | Stays | Avg billed | Avg payment (Medicare + patient) | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Septicemia or severe sepsis without ventilator >96 hours with major complicationsDRG 871 | 650 | $46,067 | $12,974 | −9% |
| Heart failure and shock with major complicationsDRG 291 | 302 | $28,386 | $8,892 | −6% |
| Percutaneous and other intracardiac procedures without major complicationsDRG 274 | 243 | $64,677 | $21,060 | −4% |
| Endovascular cardiac valve replacement and supplement procedures with major complicationsDRG 266 | 142 | $151,152 | $39,708 | −3% |
| Respiratory infections and inflammations with major complicationsDRG 177 | 134 | $38,100 | $11,279 | −6% |
| Major hip and knee joint replacement or reattachment of lower extremity without major complicationsDRG 470 | 117 | $46,886 | $13,071 | −3% |
| Cardiac arrhythmia and conduction disorders with complicationsDRG 309 | 114 | $13,987 | $5,765 | −3% |
| Kidney and urinary tract infections with major complicationsDRG 689 | 113 | $28,659 | $8,127 | −6% |
Outpatient services
| Service | Services | Avg billed | Avg allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Observation ServicesAPC 8011 | 1,395 | $12,771 | $2,200 |
| Level 5 Musculoskeletal ProceduresAPC 5115 | 400 | $39,663 | $10,548 |
| Level 4 Musculoskeletal ProceduresAPC 5114 | 205 | $23,379 | $5,759 |
| Level 1 Endovascular ProceduresAPC 5191 | 205 | $14,881 | $2,628 |
| Level 2 Excision/Biopsy/Incision and DrainageAPC 5072 | 167 | $10,705 | $1,318 |
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 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 Mississippi hospital finances.
Who owns Forrest General Hospital
Medicare enrollment and ownership records (PECOS)
Medicare lists the hospital's legal name as Forrest County General Hospital, a non-profit organization.
625 doctors and other clinicians list Forrest General Hospital 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 Forrest General Hospital
HRSA shortage designations and BLS pay data
Primary care: Parts of Lamar are federally designated health professional shortage areas (1 designation). Highest shortage score 16.
Mental health: Lamar is a federally designated health professional shortage area. Highest shortage score 13.
Dental: Parts of Lamar are federally designated health professional shortage areas (1 designation). Highest shortage score 12.
Nurse pay: registered nurses in Mississippi earn a median $77,090 a year. Healthcare salaries in Mississippi.
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. Mississippi shortage areas
Closest other hospitals
Healthcare pay in Mississippi
Registered nurses across Mississippi (all employers) earned a median of $77,090 a year (BLS, May 2025).Registered Nurse (RN) salary in MississippiNurse Practitioner salary in MississippiRespiratory Therapist salary in MississippiHealthcare salaries in Mississippi
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Cite this data
Writing about Forrest General Hospital? 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.