CMS did not publish an overall star rating for this hospital; hospitals that report too few quality measures are not rated.
Source: CMS Care Compare, October 2026 releaseER figures are medians, not live waitsAbout the data
Visiting Howard County Medical Center
- 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 Howard County Medical Center (opens the hospital's site)
Nearby hospitals
- 21mi St Francis Medical Center Grand Island, NE · Emergency room · median ER visit 1 hr 52 min Call St Francis Medical Center Directions to St Francis Medical Center (Google Maps) Details for St Francis Medical Center
- 23mi Grand Island Regional Medical Center Grand Island, NE · Emergency room · median ER visit 1 hr 44 min Call Grand Island Regional Medical Center Directions to Grand Island Regional Medical Center (Google Maps) Details for Grand Island Regional Medical Center
- 25mi Merrick Medical Center Central City, NE · Emergency room · median ER visit 2 hr 7 min Call Merrick Medical Center Directions to Merrick Medical Center (Google Maps) Details for Merrick Medical Center
Quick answers about Howard County Medical Center
How long is the ER wait at Howard County Medical 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 32 min in the Howard County Medical Center emergency room (the average across Nebraska hospitals is 2 hr). 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 (308) 754-4421. In an emergency, call 911.
What is the phone number for Howard County Medical Center?
The main phone number for Howard County Medical Center is (308) 754-4421, from Medicare's hospital records.
Call (308) 754-4421What is the address of Howard County Medical Center?
Howard County Medical Center is at 1113 Sherman St, St Paul, NE 68873.
Directions (opens Google Maps)Does Howard County Medical Center have an emergency room?
Yes. Howard County Medical Center has an emergency department, according to Medicare data.
Quality and performance
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · data as of October 2026
Patients treated and sent home from the emergency department at Howard County Medical Center spend a median of 1 hour 32 minutes there. That is 28 minutes shorter than the average across Nebraska hospitals (2 hours).
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 Howard County Medical Center. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Compare ER waits across Nebraska · Other Critical Access hospitals in Nebraska · How we source this data · Something wrong on this page? Tell us
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 | 4.2% | 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 Howard County Medical Center accept?
Original Medicare: Medicare-certified, so it can bill Original Medicare (Medicare number 281338). Medicare Advantage plans have their own networks, which this section does not cover.
2027 Marketplace plans in Nebraska that list this hospital
| Insurer | Plans in network | Network tier |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska | 72 of 72 plans | Preferred |
| Ambetter | 17 of 17 plans | Preferred |
| UnitedHealthcare | 15 of 15 plans | Non-Preferred |
| Oscar | 12 of 22 plans | Preferred |
| Medica | 2 of 10 plans | – |
2027 plan year, individual Marketplace (ACA) plans only.Health insurance in Nebraska
Plans that include this hospital: HeartlandBlue Bronze Digital First HSA NEtwork Blue, HeartlandBlue Bronze HSA 0% Coinsurance after Deductible NEtwork Blue, HeartlandBlue Bronze HSA Standard NEtwork Blue, HeartlandBlue Gold, HeartlandBlue Gold NEtwork Blue w/ Adult Vision, HeartlandBlue Gold Standard NEtwork Blue Compare plans
Adults in Nebraska qualify for Medicaid up to 133% of the poverty line. Ask the hospital which Nebraska Medicaid plans it takes.
What insurance does Howard County Medical Center accept?
In the 2027 HealthCare.gov Marketplace plan data (insurer network files loaded November 4, 2026), Howard County Medical Center is in network for 5 Marketplace insurers in Nebraska: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (72 of 72 plans), Ambetter (17 of 17 plans), UnitedHealthcare (15 of 15 plans) and 2 other insurers. 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 Howard County Medical Center take Medicare?
Howard County Medical Center is a Medicare-certified hospital (CMS Certification Number 281338), 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 Howard County Medical Center accept Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska?
Howard County Medical Center is in network for 72 of 72 plans that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska sells on the Nebraska Marketplace in 2027, according to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska'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 Howard County Medical Center accept Ambetter?
Howard County Medical Center is in network for 17 of 17 plans that Ambetter sells on the Nebraska 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 Howard County Medical Center accept UnitedHealthcare?
Howard County Medical Center is in network for 15 of 15 plans that UnitedHealthcare sells on the Nebraska 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 1 readmission and return-visit measures CMS could compare, Howard County Medical Center 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. | 16% | 16.2% | Not compared |
Return trips after a stay or procedure
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
Howard County Medical Center's emergency department is classed by CMS as low volume.
| Measure | This hospital | U.S.* |
|---|---|---|
| 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. 296 patients. | 92 min | 162 min |
| Patients who left the ER before being seenLower is better. 1,693 patients. | 0% | 2% |
| Health care workers vaccinated against fluHigher is better. 188 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. 28 patients. | 18% | 16% |
| Blood clot prevention givenHigher is better. 81 patients. | 96% | 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.
Care after a stay at Howard County Medical Center
Medicare-certified providers near this hospital, with their CMS ratings. A hospital discharge planner can make the referral.
Skilled nursing facilities nearby
- 0.4mi Brookefield Park St Paul, NE · 70 beds Medicare overall 3 of 5 stars · Short-stay quality 4 of 5
- 21mi Good Samaritan Society - Grand Island Village Grand Island, NE · 67 beds Medicare overall 1 of 5 stars · Short-stay quality 1 of 5
- 21mi Tiffany Square Grand Island, NE · 103 beds Medicare overall 2 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
- 18mi FMC - Grand IslandGrand Island, NE
- 20mi DaVita Grand Island DialysisGrand Island, NE
Home health agencies nearby See more
- 18mi CHI Health at Home - Grand IslandGrand Island, NE · 76% would recommend
- 18mi Pediatric Home ServiceGrand Island, NE Not rated
- 20mi Angels Care Progressive Home HealthGrand Island, NE · 79% would recommend
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Doctors at Howard County Medical Center
44 Medicare-enrolled doctors and other clinicians list this hospital as an affiliation, across 14 specialties.
Federal rules require hospitals to publish their prices, including the rates they've negotiated with each insurer and their cash prices. Howard County Medical Center lists them here:
From the hospital's price transparency file (hcmc.us.com/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 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 Nebraska hospital finances.
Who owns Howard County Medical Center
Medicare enrollment and ownership records (PECOS)
Medicare lists the hospital's legal name as Howard County Medical Center, a non-profit organization.
68 doctors and other clinicians list Howard County Medical 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.
The area around Howard County Medical Center
HRSA shortage designations and BLS pay data
Mental health: Howard is a federally designated health professional shortage area. Highest shortage score 12.
Nurse pay: registered nurses in Nebraska earn a median $84,730 a year. Healthcare salaries in Nebraska.
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. Nebraska shortage areas
Closest other hospitals
Healthcare pay in Nebraska
Registered nurses across Nebraska (all employers) earned a median of $84,730 a year (BLS, May 2025).Registered Nurse (RN) salary in NebraskaNurse Practitioner salary in NebraskaRespiratory Therapist salary in NebraskaHealthcare salaries in Nebraska
Cite this data
Writing about Howard County Medical 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.