Source: CMS Care Compare, October 2026 releaseER figures are medians, not live waitsAbout the data
Visiting Rutherford Hospital
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
County: Rutherford Directions Apple Maps Call (828) 286-5673
- 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 Rutherford Hospital (opens the hospital's site)
Nearby hospitals
- 16mi Advent Health Polk Columbus, NC · Emergency room · median ER visit 2 hr 18 min Call Advent Health Polk Directions to Advent Health Polk (Google Maps) Details for Advent Health Polk
- 21mi The McDowell Hospital Marion, NC · Emergency room · median ER visit 2 hr 23 min Call The McDowell Hospital Directions to The McDowell Hospital (Google Maps) Details for The McDowell Hospital
- 25mi Cleveland Regional Medical Center Shelby, NC · Emergency room · median ER visit 2 hr 34 min Call Cleveland Regional Medical Center Directions to Cleveland Regional Medical Center (Google Maps) Details for Cleveland Regional Medical Center
Quick answers about Rutherford Hospital
How long is the ER wait at Rutherford Hospital?
CMS doesn't publish live wait times. Over the 12 months CMS reported, patients treated and sent home spent a median of 2 hr 23 min in the Rutherford Hospital emergency room (the average across North Carolina hospitals is 3 hr 3 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 (828) 286-5673. In an emergency, call 911.
What is the phone number for Rutherford Hospital?
The main phone number for Rutherford Hospital is (828) 286-5673, from Medicare's hospital records.
Call (828) 286-5673What is the address of Rutherford Hospital?
Rutherford Hospital is at 288 S Ridgecrest Ave, Rutherfordton, NC 28139.
Directions (opens Google Maps)Does Rutherford Hospital have an emergency room?
Yes. Rutherford Hospital has an emergency department, according to Medicare data.
What is Rutherford Hospital's Medicare star rating?
Rutherford 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 Rutherford Hospital spend a median of 2 hours 23 minutes there. That is 40 minutes shorter than the average across North Carolina hospitals (3 hours 3 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 Rutherford Hospital. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Compare ER waits across North Carolina · How North Carolina hospitals rank on star ratings · Other birthing-friendly hospitals in North Carolina · How we source this data · Something wrong on this page? Tell us
What patients say
CMS patient survey (HCAHPS) · 356 completed surveys · patients discharged Jan 2025 – Dec 2025
Patients gave Rutherford Hospital a 2-star patient experience rating out of 5. 52% would definitely recommend it (U.S. average 71%). 57% 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.
Infections, complications and deaths
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · compared with hospitals nationwide
Rutherford Hospital was no different from the national benchmark on the one hospital-acquired infection 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 | 11.7% | 11.9% |
| Heart failure patients | 11.7% | 11.1% |
| Pneumonia patients | 14.2% | 15.2% |
| Stroke patients | 12.8% | 11.9% |
| COPD patients | 11.3% | 8.6% |
| Hospital-wide, all conditions | 5.2% | 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.
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 | 2.8 | 4.1 | Not compared |
| Pressure ulcers (bed sores)per 1,000 patients | 0.37 | 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 | 0.18 | 0.18 | Same as national |
| Bleeding or blood clot under the skin after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 2.16 | 2.25 | Same as national |
| Kidney injury needing dialysis after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 1.54 | 1.56 | Same as national |
| Respiratory failure after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 8.75 | 8.15 | Same as national |
| Blood clots in the lungs or legs after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 3.27 | 3.31 | Same as national |
| Bloodstream infection (sepsis) after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 4.47 | 4.89 | Same as national |
| Surgical wound splitting openper 1,000 patients | 1.65 | 1.7 | Same as national |
| Accidental cuts or tears during abdominal surgeryper 1,000 patients | 0.98 | 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 Rutherford Hospital accept?
Original Medicare: Medicare-certified, so it can bill Original Medicare (Medicare number 340013). Medicare Advantage plans have their own networks, which this section does not cover.
2027 Marketplace plans in North Carolina that list this hospital
| Insurer | Plans in network | Network tier |
|---|---|---|
| Ambetter | 34 of 34 plans | Preferred |
| UnitedHealthcare | 15 of 15 plans | Non-Preferred |
| AmeriHealth Caritas Next | 12 of 12 plans | Preferred |
2027 plan year, individual Marketplace (ACA) plans only.Health insurance in North Carolina
Plans that include this hospital: UnitedHealthcare UHC Bronze Copay Focus, UnitedHealthcare UHC Bronze Essential, UnitedHealthcare UHC Bronze Standard, UnitedHealthcare UHC Bronze Standard + (HSA, UnitedHealthcare UHC Gold Advantage, UnitedHealthcare UHC Gold Advantage + ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, $1 Tier 2 Rx Compare plans
Adults in North Carolina qualify for Medicaid up to 133% of the poverty line. Ask the hospital which North Carolina Medicaid plans it takes.
What insurance does Rutherford Hospital accept?
In the 2027 HealthCare.gov Marketplace plan data (insurer network files loaded November 4, 2026), Rutherford Hospital is in network for 3 Marketplace insurers in North Carolina: Ambetter (34 of 34 plans), UnitedHealthcare (15 of 15 plans) and AmeriHealth Caritas Next (12 of 12 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 Rutherford Hospital take Medicare?
Rutherford Hospital is a Medicare-certified hospital (CMS Certification Number 340013), 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 Rutherford Hospital accept Ambetter?
Rutherford Hospital is in network for 34 of 34 plans that Ambetter sells on the North Carolina 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 Rutherford Hospital accept UnitedHealthcare?
Rutherford Hospital is in network for 15 of 15 plans that UnitedHealthcare sells on the North Carolina 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.
Does Rutherford Hospital accept AmeriHealth Caritas Next?
Rutherford Hospital is in network for 12 of 12 plans that AmeriHealth Caritas Next sells on the North Carolina Marketplace in 2027, according to AmeriHealth Caritas Next'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 2 readmission and return-visit measures CMS could compare, Rutherford 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. | 16.9% | 16.2% | Not compared |
| Heart attack | 14.9% | 14.4% | Not compared |
| Heart failure | 20.2% | 21.3% | Not compared |
| Pneumonia | 15.8% | 17.3% | Not compared |
| COPD (chronic lung disease) | 19.6% | 20% | Not compared |
| Hip or knee replacement | 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. 1 of 4 conditions is above 1.00.
| Condition | Ratio | Patients | Readmissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hip or knee replacement | 1.006 | – | More than expected |
| Heart failure | 0.998 | 104 | Fewer than expected |
| COPD | 0.966 | – | Fewer than expected |
| Pneumonia | 0.949 | 124 | 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
Rutherford Hospital's emergency department is classed by CMS as medium 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. 130 patients. | 53% | 66% |
| Septic shock: full treatment within 3 hoursHigher is better. 46 patients. | 63% | 75% |
| 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. 379 patients. | 143 min | 162 min |
| Typical ER time for mental health patients sent homeMedian minutes from arrival to leaving. Lower is better. 19 patients. | 295 min | 257 min |
| Patients who left the ER before being seenLower is better. 30,404 patients. | 0% | 2% |
| Health care workers vaccinated against fluHigher is better. 828 patients. | 66% | 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. 1,069 patients. | 22% | 16% |
| Colonoscopy: right follow-up interval for average-risk patientsHigher is better. 100 patients. | 96% | 93% |
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. 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 | 38 |
| Patient experiencePatient survey results | 38 |
| SafetyHospital-acquired infections | 2.5 |
| Efficiency and costMedicare spending per patient | 40 |
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 Rutherford Hospital
Medicare-certified providers near this hospital, with their CMS ratings. A hospital discharge planner can make the referral.
Skilled nursing facilities nearby
- 0.3mi Willow Ridge of NC Rutherfordton, NC · 150 beds Medicare overall 2 of 5 stars · Short-stay quality 2 of 5
- 1.3mi Oak Grove Healthcare Rutherfordton, NC · 60 beds Medicare overall 4 of 5 stars · Short-stay quality 1 of 5
- 4.1mi Hilltop Health and Rehabilitation Rutherfordton, NC · 80 beds Medicare overall 3 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
- 6.4mi DaVita Dialysis Care of Rutherford CountyForest City, NC
- 22mi DCI Shelby INCShelby, NC
- 22mi DCI - Dialysis Clinic, INCShelby, NC
Home health agencies nearby See more
- 2.5mi Carolina Home CareSpindale, NC · 86% would recommend
- 22mi Centerwell Home HealthShelby, NC · 84% would recommend
- 22mi Atrium Health at Home ClevelandShelby, NC · 90% would recommend
Hospice care providers nearby See more
- 20mi Hospice of the Carolina FoothillsSaluda, NC · 88% would recommend
- 22mi Via Health Partners - ClevelandShelby, NC · 91% would recommend
- 24mi Four Seasons the Care You TrustFlat Rock, NC · 92% would recommend
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Inpatient psychiatric unit
CMS Inpatient psychiatric care Quality Reporting Program, data through March 2025 · unit CCN 340013
Rutherford Hospital runs an inpatient psychiatric unit that reports its own results to Medicare. Readmitted within 30 days: 18% here, against 19% nationally. Where CMS compares facilities statistically, this one is no different from the national rate.
After discharge
During the stay
Source: CMS Inpatient psychiatric care 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. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.
Doctors at Rutherford Hospital
79 Medicare-enrolled doctors and other clinicians list this hospital as an affiliation, across 19 specialties.
Find doctors in Rutherfordton
Medicare-enrolled specialists with a practice in Rutherfordton, with addresses, phone numbers and the hospitals they work with.
What Medicare paid at Rutherford 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 North Carolina.
Hospital stays
| Stay | Stays | Avg billed | Avg payment (Medicare + patient) | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Septicemia or severe sepsis without ventilator >96 hours with major complicationsDRG 871 | 109 | $51,193 | $14,510 | −12% |
| Major hip and knee joint replacement or reattachment of lower extremity without major complicationsDRG 470 | 74 | $100,599 | $15,473 | same |
| Simple pneumonia and pleurisy with major complicationsDRG 193 | 23 | $50,386 | $10,274 | −11% |
| Heart failure and shock with major complicationsDRG 291 | 21 | $55,219 | $10,133 | −10% |
| Kidney and urinary tract infections with major complicationsDRG 689 | 21 | $37,612 | $9,227 | −10% |
| Septicemia or severe sepsis without ventilator >96 hours without major complicationsDRG 872 | 21 | $34,954 | $8,475 | −9% |
| Respiratory infections and inflammations with major complicationsDRG 177 | 14 | $64,533 | $12,478 | −13% |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with major complicationsDRG 190 | 13 | $34,668 | $8,881 | −8% |
Outpatient services
| Service | Services | Avg billed | Avg allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Observation ServicesAPC 8011 | 122 | $27,356 | $2,493 |
| Level 2 Upper GI ProceduresAPC 5302 | 66 | $9,287 | $1,720 |
| Level 3 Vascular ProceduresAPC 5183 | 42 | $21,642 | $2,971 |
| Level 1 Laparoscopy and Related ServicesAPC 5361 | 32 | $40,793 | $5,378 |
| Level 2 Excision/Biopsy/Incision and DrainageAPC 5072 | 28 | $16,516 | $1,511 |
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 May 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 North Carolina hospital finances.
Who owns Rutherford Hospital
Medicare enrollment and ownership records (PECOS)
Medicare lists the hospital's legal name as Dlp Rutherford Regional Health System, LLC, a for-profit organization, incorporated 2014.
191 doctors and other clinicians list Rutherford 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 Rutherford Hospital
HRSA shortage designations and BLS pay data
Primary care: Parts of Rutherford are federally designated health professional shortage areas (1 designation). Highest shortage score 17.
Mental health: Parts of Rutherford are federally designated health professional shortage areas (1 designation). Highest shortage score 16.
Dental: Parts of Rutherford are federally designated health professional shortage areas (1 designation). Highest shortage score 17.
Nurse pay: registered nurses in North Carolina earn a median $84,350 a year. Healthcare salaries in North Carolina.
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. North Carolina shortage areas
Closest other hospitals
Healthcare pay in North Carolina
Registered nurses across North Carolina (all employers) earned a median of $84,350 a year (BLS, May 2025).Registered Nurse (RN) salary in North CarolinaNurse Practitioner salary in North CarolinaRespiratory Therapist salary in North CarolinaHealthcare salaries in North Carolina
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Cite this data
Writing about Rutherford 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.