Source: CMS Care Compare, October 2026 releaseER figures are medians, not live waitsAbout the data
Visiting Lester E Cox Medical Centers
Springfield, MO 65802
County: Greene Directions Apple Maps Call (417) 269-3000
- 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 Lester E Cox Medical Centers (opens the hospital's site)
Nearby hospitals
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- 1.9mi Perimeter Behavioral Hospital of Springfield Springfield, MO Call Perimeter Behavioral Hospital of Springfield Directions to Perimeter Behavioral Hospital of Springfield (Google Maps) Details for Perimeter Behavioral Hospital of Springfield
- 3.5mi Mercy Hospital Springfield Springfield, MO · Emergency room · median ER visit 4 hr 57 min Call Mercy Hospital Springfield Directions to Mercy Hospital Springfield (Google Maps) Details for Mercy Hospital Springfield
Quick answers about Lester E Cox Medical Centers
How long is the ER wait at Lester E Cox Medical Centers?
CMS doesn't publish live wait times. Over the 12 months CMS reported, patients treated and sent home spent a median of 3 hr 42 min in the Lester E Cox Medical Centers emergency room (the average across Missouri hospitals is 2 hr 42 min). 3% of ER patients left before being seen. For tonight's wait, check the hospital's website (opens the hospital's own site) or call (417) 269-3000. In an emergency, call 911.
What is the phone number for Lester E Cox Medical Centers?
The main phone number for Lester E Cox Medical Centers is (417) 269-3000, from Medicare's hospital records.
Call (417) 269-3000What is the address of Lester E Cox Medical Centers?
Lester E Cox Medical Centers is at 1423 N Jefferson Ave, Springfield, MO 65802.
Directions (opens Google Maps)Does Lester E Cox Medical Centers have an emergency room?
Yes. Lester E Cox Medical Centers has an emergency department, according to Medicare data.
What is Lester E Cox Medical Centers' Medicare star rating?
Lester E Cox Medical Centers 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 Lester E Cox Medical Centers spend a median of 3 hours 42 minutes there. That is 1 hour longer than the average across Missouri hospitals (2 hours 42 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 Lester E Cox Medical Centers. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Compare ER waits across Missouri · How Missouri hospitals rank on star ratings · Other birthing-friendly hospitals in Missouri · How we source this data · Something wrong on this page? Tell us
What patients say
CMS patient survey (HCAHPS) · 1,228 completed surveys · patients discharged Jan 2025 – Dec 2025
Patients gave Lester E Cox Medical Centers a 2-star patient experience rating out of 5. 68% would definitely recommend it (U.S. average 71%). 64% 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 Lester E Cox Medical Centers
Infections, complications and deaths
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · compared with hospitals nationwide
Of the 6 hospital-acquired infections CMS could compare, Lester E Cox Medical Centers was better than the national benchmark on 2 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 | 12.3% | 11.9% |
| Heart failure patients | 13.4% | 11.1% |
| Pneumonia patients | 12.3% | 15.2% |
| Stroke patients | 14.1% | 11.9% |
| COPD patients | 7.3% | 8.6% |
| Coronary bypass (CABG) surgery patients | 2.5% | 2.4% |
| Hospital-wide, all conditions | 3.5% | 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 | 4.3 | 4.1 | Not compared |
| Pressure ulcers (bed sores)per 1,000 patients | 1.95 | 0.55 | Worse than national |
| Falls in the hospital that caused a broken boneper 1,000 patients | 0.25 | 0.24 | Same as national |
| Collapsed lung caused by a medical procedureper 1,000 patients | 0.16 | 0.18 | Same as national |
| Bleeding or blood clot under the skin after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 2.08 | 2.25 | Same as national |
| Kidney injury needing dialysis after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 2.81 | 1.56 | Same as national |
| Respiratory failure after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 10.15 | 8.15 | Same as national |
| Blood clots in the lungs or legs after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 3.58 | 3.31 | Same as national |
| Bloodstream infection (sepsis) after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 4.15 | 4.89 | Same as national |
| Surgical wound splitting openper 1,000 patients | 2.12 | 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 Lester E Cox Medical Centers accept?
Original Medicare: Medicare-certified, so it can bill Original Medicare (Medicare number 260040). Medicare Advantage plans have their own networks, which this section does not cover.
2027 Marketplace plans in Missouri that list this hospital
| Insurer | Plans in network | Network tier |
|---|---|---|
| Oscar | 32 of 32 plans | Preferred |
2027 plan year, individual Marketplace (ACA) plans only.Health insurance in Missouri
Plans that include this hospital: Oscar Bronze Classic, Oscar Bronze Classic Standard, Oscar Bronze Elite, Oscar Bronze Simple Chronic Care CKM, Oscar Bronze Simple Diabetes, Oscar Gold Classic Standard Compare plans
Adults in Missouri qualify for Medicaid up to 133% of the poverty line. Ask the hospital which Missouri Medicaid plans it takes.
What insurance does Lester E Cox Medical Centers accept?
In the 2027 HealthCare.gov Marketplace plan data (insurer network files loaded November 4, 2026), Lester E Cox Medical Centers is in network for 1 Marketplace insurer in Missouri: Oscar (32 of 32 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 Lester E Cox Medical Centers take Medicare?
Lester E Cox Medical Centers is a Medicare-certified hospital (CMS Certification Number 260040), 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 Lester E Cox Medical Centers accept Oscar?
Lester E Cox Medical Centers is in network for 32 of 32 plans that Oscar sells on the Missouri 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.
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, Lester E Cox Medical Centers 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. | 15.5% | 16.2% | Not compared |
| Heart attack | 14.9% | 14.4% | Not compared |
| Heart failure | 19.8% | 21.3% | Not compared |
| Pneumonia | 16.8% | 17.3% | Not compared |
| COPD (chronic lung disease) | 19.9% | 20% | Not compared |
| Heart bypass surgery (CABG) | 10.5% | 11% | Not compared |
| Hip or knee replacement | 6.1% | 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. 1 of 6 conditions is above 1.00.
| Condition | Ratio | Patients | Readmissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart attack | 1.127 | 275 | More than expected |
| Heart failure | 0.974 | 524 | Fewer than expected |
| Pneumonia | 0.971 | 610 | Fewer than expected |
| Hip or knee replacement | 0.950 | – | Fewer than expected |
| COPD | 0.948 | 243 | Fewer than expected |
| Heart bypass surgery | 0.825 | 210 | 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
Lester E Cox Medical Centers'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. 163 patients. | 67% | 66% |
| Septic shock: full treatment within 3 hoursHigher is better. 63 patients. | 76% | 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. 15 patients. | 40% | 69% |
| Heart attack (STEMI): timely clot-busting or artery-opening careHigher is better. 144 patients. | 1% | 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. 338 patients. | 222 min | 162 min |
| Typical ER time for mental health patients sent homeMedian minutes from arrival to leaving. Lower is better. 18 patients. | 274 min | 257 min |
| Patients who left the ER before being seenLower is better. 104,072 patients. | 3% | 2% |
| Health care workers vaccinated against fluHigher is better. 11,919 patients. | 94% | 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. 8,528 patients. | 17% | 16% |
| Colonoscopy: right follow-up interval for average-risk patientsHigher is better. 153 patients. | 100% | 93% |
| Blood clot prevention given in intensive careHigher is better. 3,583 patients. | 98% | 97%* |
| Stroke: discharged on clot-prevention medicineHigher is better. 557 patients. | 96% | 98%* |
| Stroke: clot prevention started by day 2Higher is better. 430 patients. | 90% | 94%* |
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 | 30 |
| Patient experiencePatient survey results | 19 |
| SafetyHospital-acquired infections | 30 |
| Efficiency and costMedicare spending per patient | 20 |
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 Lester E Cox Medical Centers
Medicare-certified providers near this hospital, with their CMS ratings. A hospital discharge planner can make the referral.
Skilled nursing facilities nearby
- 1.8mi Maranatha Village Springfield, MO · 120 beds Medicare overall 3 of 5 stars · Short-stay quality 5 of 5
- 2.8mi Woodland Care & Rehab Center Springfield, MO · 94 beds Medicare overall 2 of 5 stars Abuse citation (CMS)
- 3.1mi The Manor at Elfindale Springfield, MO · 100 beds Medicare overall 5 of 5 stars · Short-stay quality 3 of 5
Skilled nursing ratings and inspections at Nursing Homes In Each State
Dialysis centers nearby See more
- 4.0mi FMC - Springfield NorthSpringfield, MO
- 4.0mi Ozarks Dialysis ServicesSpringfield, MO
- 4.4mi Ozarks Dialysis Services - SouthSpringfield, MO
Home health agencies nearby See more
- 1.3mi Coxhealth at HomeSpringfield, MO · 83% would recommend
- 5.7mi Amedisys Home Health of MissouriSpringfield, MO · 78% would recommend
- 5.7mi Phoenix Home Care and HospiceSpringfield, MO · 80% would recommend
Hospice care providers nearby See more
- 3.5mi Regional HospiceSpringfield, MO · 77% would recommend Not rated
- 4.0mi Seasons Hospice, INCSpringfield, MO · 89% would recommend
- 4.4mi Good Shepherd Hospice of SpringfieldSpringfield, MO · 92% would recommend
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Doctors at Lester E Cox Medical Centers
563 Medicare-enrolled doctors and other clinicians list this hospital as an affiliation, across 35 specialties.
Find doctors in Springfield
Medicare-enrolled specialists with a practice in Springfield, with addresses, phone numbers and the hospitals they work with.
What Medicare paid at Lester E Cox Medical Centers
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 Missouri.
Hospital stays
| Stay | Stays | Avg billed | Avg payment (Medicare + patient) | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Septicemia or severe sepsis without ventilator >96 hours with major complicationsDRG 871 | 435 | $65,405 | $15,113 | −4% |
| PsychosesDRG 885 | 190 | $22,296 | $10,971 | −16% |
| Simple pneumonia and pleurisy with major complicationsDRG 193 | 128 | $47,139 | $10,833 | same |
| Intracranial hemorrhage or cerebral infarction with complications or TPA in 24 hoursDRG 065 | 111 | $42,850 | $8,787 | same |
| Heart failure and shock with major complicationsDRG 291 | 106 | $44,209 | $10,305 | −2% |
| Cardiac arrhythmia and conduction disorders with complicationsDRG 309 | 99 | $21,832 | $6,702 | +3% |
| Renal failure with complicationsDRG 683 | 92 | $28,903 | $7,809 | +3% |
| Miscellaneous disorders of nutrition, metabolism, fluids and electrolytes with major complicationsDRG 640 | 91 | $47,005 | $11,027 | −1% |
Outpatient services
| Service | Services | Avg billed | Avg allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Observation ServicesAPC 8011 | 428 | $18,768 | $2,276 |
| Level 1 Nerve ProceduresAPC 5431 | 418 | $9,710 | $1,603 |
| Level 5 Musculoskeletal ProceduresAPC 5115 | 391 | $48,954 | $10,956 |
| Level 2 Excision/Biopsy/Incision and DrainageAPC 5072 | 360 | $8,465 | $1,344 |
| Level 2 Upper GI ProceduresAPC 5302 | 271 | $10,154 | $1,586 |
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 Missouri hospital finances.
Who owns Lester E Cox Medical Centers
Medicare enrollment and ownership records (PECOS)
Medicare lists the hospital's legal name as Lester E Cox Medical Centers, a non-profit organization, incorporated 1923.
1,195 doctors and other clinicians list Lester E Cox Medical Centers 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 · Lester E Cox Medical Center (EIN 44-0577118)
As filed with the IRS by Lester E Cox Medical Center. 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 Lester E Cox Medical Centers
HRSA shortage designations and BLS pay data
Primary care: Parts of Greene are federally designated health professional shortage areas (1 designation). Highest shortage score 16.
Mental health: Parts of Greene are federally designated health professional shortage areas (1 designation). Highest shortage score 16.
Dental: Parts of Greene are federally designated health professional shortage areas (1 designation). Highest shortage score 15.
Nurse pay: registered nurses in Missouri earn a median $81,780 a year. Healthcare salaries in Missouri.
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. Missouri shortage areas
Closest other hospitals
Healthcare pay in Missouri
Registered nurses across Missouri (all employers) earned a median of $81,780 a year (BLS, May 2025).Registered Nurse (RN) salary in MissouriNurse Practitioner salary in MissouriRespiratory Therapist salary in MissouriHealthcare salaries in Missouri
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Cite this data
Writing about Lester E Cox Medical Centers? 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.