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 Saunders 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 Saunders Medical Center (opens the hospital's site)
Nearby hospitals
- 19mi Fremont Area Medical Center Fremont, NE · Emergency room · median ER visit 2 hr 3 min Call Fremont Area Medical Center Directions to Fremont Area Medical Center (Google Maps) Details for Fremont Area Medical Center
- 24mi Alegent Health Lakeside Hospital Omaha, NE · Emergency room · median ER visit 3 hr 2 min Call Alegent Health Lakeside Hospital Directions to Alegent Health Lakeside Hospital (Google Maps) Details for Alegent Health Lakeside Hospital
- 26mi Butler County Health Care Center David City, NE · Emergency room · median ER visit 1 hr 36 min Call Butler County Health Care Center Directions to Butler County Health Care Center (Google Maps) Details for Butler County Health Care Center
Quick answers about Saunders Medical Center
How long is the ER wait at Saunders 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 35 min in the Saunders 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 (402) 443-4191. In an emergency, call 911.
What is the phone number for Saunders Medical Center?
The main phone number for Saunders Medical Center is (402) 443-4191, from Medicare's hospital records.
Call (402) 443-4191What is the address of Saunders Medical Center?
Saunders Medical Center is at 1760 County Road J, Wahoo, NE 68066.
Directions (opens Google Maps)Does Saunders Medical Center have an emergency room?
Yes. Saunders 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 Saunders Medical Center spend a median of 1 hour 35 minutes there. That is 25 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 Saunders 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
What patients say
CMS patient survey (HCAHPS) · 28 completed surveys · patients discharged Jan 2025 – Dec 2025
89% 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. 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. |
|---|---|---|
| Pneumonia patients | 19.2% | 15.2% |
| Hospital-wide, all conditions | 3.9% | 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 Saunders Medical Center accept?
Original Medicare: Medicare-certified, so it can bill Original Medicare (Medicare number 281307). 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 |
| Oscar | 12 of 22 plans | Preferred |
| Medica | 8 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 Saunders Medical Center accept?
In the 2027 HealthCare.gov Marketplace plan data (insurer network files loaded November 4, 2026), Saunders Medical Center is in network for 4 Marketplace insurers in Nebraska: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (72 of 72 plans), Ambetter (17 of 17 plans), Oscar (12 of 22 plans) and 1 other insurer. 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 Saunders Medical Center take Medicare?
Saunders Medical Center is a Medicare-certified hospital (CMS Certification Number 281307), 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 Saunders Medical Center accept Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska?
Saunders 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 Saunders Medical Center accept Ambetter?
Saunders 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 Saunders Medical Center accept Oscar?
Saunders Medical Center is in network for 12 of 22 plans that Oscar sells on the Nebraska Marketplace in 2027, according to Oscar's network file loaded November 4, 2026. Not every Oscar 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
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. | 16.3% | 16.2% | Not compared |
| Pneumonia | 17.4% | 17.3% | 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
Saunders 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. 294 patients. | 95 min | 162 min |
| Typical ER time for patients transferred to another facilityMedian minutes from arrival to leaving. Lower is better. 12 patients. | 194 min | 287 min |
| Patients who left the ER before being seenLower is better. 2,423 patients. | 0% | 2% |
| Health care workers vaccinated against fluHigher is better. 229 patients. | 84% | 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. 34 patients. | 29% | 16% |
| Colonoscopy: right follow-up interval for average-risk patientsHigher is better. 31 patients. | 97% | 93% |
| Blood clot prevention givenHigher is better. 86 patients. | 79% | 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 Saunders Medical Center
Medicare-certified providers near this hospital, with their CMS ratings. A hospital discharge planner can make the referral.
Skilled nursing facilities nearby
- 0.9mi South Haven Living Center Wahoo, NE · 85 beds Medicare overall 4 of 5 stars · Short-stay quality 1 of 5
- 2.2mi Saunders Medical Center Wahoo, NE · 60 beds Medicare overall 4 of 5 stars · Located in a hospital
- 17mi Arbor Care Center-Valhaven Valley, NE · 66 beds Medicare overall 3 of 5 stars · Short-stay quality 5 of 5
Skilled nursing ratings and inspections at Nursing Homes In Each State
Dialysis centers nearby See more
- 18mi DaVita Dodge County DialysisFremont, NE
- 23mi DaVita Omaha Harrison DialysisOmaha, NE
- 23mi Dialysis Center of Lincoln NorthwestLincoln, NE
Home health agencies nearby See more
- 1.1mi Hospice and Home Healthcare of Saunders CountyWahoo, NE · 96% would recommend
- 18mi Nye Home Health CareFremont, NE · 80% would recommend
- 18mi Methodist Fremont Health Home CareFremont, NE · 81% would recommend
Hospice care providers nearby See more
- 1.1mi Hospice and Home Healthcare of Saunders CountyWahoo, NE · 89% would recommend Not rated
- 18mi Methodist Fremont Health HospiceFremont, NE · 84% would recommend
- 21mi Peaceful Hearts HospiceElkhorn, NE · 88% would recommend
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Doctors at Saunders Medical Center
28 Medicare-enrolled doctors and other clinicians list this hospital as an affiliation, across 14 specialties.
Find doctors in Wahoo
Medicare-enrolled specialists with a practice in Wahoo, 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. Saunders Medical Center lists them here:
From the hospital's price transparency file (saundersmedicalcenter.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 Saunders Medical Center
Medicare enrollment and ownership records (PECOS)
Medicare lists the hospital's legal name as Saunders Medical Center, a non-profit organization.
52 doctors and other clinicians list Saunders 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 Saunders Medical Center
HRSA shortage designations and BLS pay data
Mental health: Saunders 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 Saunders 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.