Source: CMS Care Compare, July 2026 releaseER figures are medians, not live waitsAbout the data
Visiting Columbus Regional Healthcare System
Whiteville, NC 28472
County: Columbus Directions Apple Maps Call (910) 642-8011
- 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 Columbus Regional Healthcare System (opens the hospital's site)
Nearby hospitals
- 20mi Cape Fear Valley-Bladen County Hospital Elizabethtown, NC · Emergency room · median ER visit 3 hr 13 min Call Cape Fear Valley-Bladen County Hospital Directions to Cape Fear Valley-Bladen County Hospital (Google Maps) Details for Cape Fear Valley-Bladen County Hospital
- 23mi McLeod Loris Hospital Loris, SC · median ER visit 2 hr 18 min Call McLeod Loris Hospital Directions to McLeod Loris Hospital (Google Maps) Details for McLeod Loris Hospital
- 27mi Southeastern Regional Medical Center Lumberton, NC · Emergency room · median ER visit 4 hr 8 min Call Southeastern Regional Medical Center Directions to Southeastern Regional Medical Center (Google Maps) Details for Southeastern Regional Medical Center
Quick answers about Columbus Regional Healthcare System
How long is the ER wait at Columbus Regional Healthcare System?
CMS doesn't publish live wait times. Over the 12 months CMS reported, patients treated and sent home spent a median of 2 hr 57 min in the Columbus Regional Healthcare System emergency room (the average across North Carolina hospitals is 3 hr 3 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 (910) 642-8011. In an emergency, call 911.
What is the phone number for Columbus Regional Healthcare System?
The main phone number for Columbus Regional Healthcare System is (910) 642-8011, from Medicare's hospital records.
Call (910) 642-8011What is the address of Columbus Regional Healthcare System?
Columbus Regional Healthcare System is at 500 Jefferson St, Whiteville, NC 28472.
Directions (opens Google Maps)Does Columbus Regional Healthcare System have an emergency room?
Yes. Columbus Regional Healthcare System has an emergency department, according to Medicare data.
What is Columbus Regional Healthcare System's Medicare star rating?
Columbus Regional Healthcare System has an overall rating of 1 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 July 2026
Patients treated and sent home from the emergency department at Columbus Regional Healthcare System spend a median of 2 hours 57 minutes there. That is 6 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 Columbus Regional Healthcare System. 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) · 337 completed surveys · patients discharged Oct 2024 – Sep 2025
Patients gave Columbus Regional Healthcare System a 2-star patient experience rating out of 5. 51% would definitely recommend it (U.S. average 71%). 60% 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
Of the 5 hospital-acquired infections CMS could compare, Columbus Regional Healthcare System was better than the national benchmark on 1 and worse on 0. 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 failure patients | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| Pneumonia patients | 21.4% | 15.2% |
| Stroke patients | 13.3% | 11.9% |
| COPD patients | 10.2% | 8.6% |
| Hospital-wide, all conditions | 4.8% | 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 8 complication measures
| Measure | This hospital | U.S. | CMS comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complications after hip or knee replacement% of patients | 4.4 | 4.1 | Not compared |
| Pressure ulcers (bed sores)per 1,000 patients | 0.85 | 0.63 | Same as national |
| Falls in the hospital that caused a broken boneper 1,000 patients | 0.26 | 0.27 | Same as national |
| Collapsed lung caused by a medical procedureper 1,000 patients | 0.2 | 0.21 | Same as national |
| Bleeding or blood clot under the skin after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 2.18 | 2.34 | Same as national |
| Blood clots in the lungs or legs after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 4.02 | 3.52 | Same as national |
| Surgical wound splitting openper 1,000 patients | 2.05 | 1.77 | Same as national |
| Accidental cuts or tears during abdominal surgeryper 1,000 patients | 0.97 | 1.06 | 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 Oct 2024 – Sep 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 Columbus Regional Healthcare System accept?
Original Medicare: Medicare-certified, so it can bill Original Medicare (Medicare number 340068). 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 |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC | 30 of 166 plans | – |
| Oscar | 28 of 48 plans | Preferred |
| UnitedHealthcare | 15 of 15 plans | Non-Preferred |
2027 plan year, individual Marketplace (ACA) plans only.Health insurance in North Carolina
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 Columbus Regional Healthcare System accept?
In the 2027 HealthCare.gov Marketplace plan data (insurer network files loaded November 4, 2026), Columbus Regional Healthcare System is in network for 4 Marketplace insurers in North Carolina: Ambetter (34 of 34 plans), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC (30 of 166 plans), Oscar (28 of 48 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 Columbus Regional Healthcare System take Medicare?
Columbus Regional Healthcare System is a Medicare-certified hospital (CMS Certification Number 340068), 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 Columbus Regional Healthcare System accept Ambetter?
Columbus Regional Healthcare System 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 Columbus Regional Healthcare System accept Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC?
Columbus Regional Healthcare System is in network for 30 of 166 plans that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC sells on the North Carolina Marketplace in 2027, according to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC's network file loaded November 4, 2026. Not every Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC plan includes it. Networks differ from plan to plan and can change, so confirm with the insurer before you get care.
Does Columbus Regional Healthcare System accept Oscar?
Columbus Regional Healthcare System is in network for 28 of 48 plans that Oscar sells on the North Carolina 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 2023 – Jun 2025
On the 4 readmission and return-visit measures CMS could compare, Columbus Regional Healthcare System 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart failure | 22.4% | 21.3% | Not compared |
| Pneumonia | 16.8% | 17.3% | Not compared |
| COPD (chronic lung disease) | 21.3% | 20% | Not compared |
| Hip or knee replacement | 6.4% | 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. 3 of 4 conditions are above 1.00.
| Condition | Ratio | Patients | Readmissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hip or knee replacement | 1.182 | – | More than expected |
| Heart failure | 1.029 | 112 | More than expected |
| COPD | 1.024 | 84 | More than expected |
| Pneumonia | 0.996 | 119 | 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 · Oct 2024 – Sep 2025
Columbus Regional Healthcare System'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. 302 patients. | 59% | 65% |
| Septic shock: full treatment within 3 hoursHigher is better. 70 patients. | 70% | 73% |
| 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. 21 patients. | 76% | 69% |
| 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. 382 patients. | 177 min | 162 min |
| Typical ER time for mental health patients sent homeMedian minutes from arrival to leaving. Lower is better. 19 patients. | 303 min | 257 min |
| Typical ER time for patients transferred to another facilityMedian minutes from arrival to leaving. Lower is better. 17 patients. | 408 min | 287 min |
| Patients who left the ER before being seenLower is better. 25,093 patients. | 3% | 2% |
| Health care workers vaccinated against fluHigher is better. 930 patients. | 92% | 78% |
| 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. 982 patients. | 15% | 15% |
| Colonoscopy: right follow-up interval for average-risk patientsHigher is better. 388 patients. | 88% | 93% |
| Blood clot prevention given in intensive careHigher is better. 264 patients. | 99% | 97%* |
| Stroke: clot prevention started by day 2Higher is better. 73 patients. | 95% | 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 2024 – Dec 2024
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 | 2.5 |
| Patient experiencePatient survey results | 26 |
| SafetyHospital-acquired infections | 40 |
| 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 Columbus Regional Healthcare System
Medicare-certified providers near this hospital, with their CMS ratings. A hospital discharge planner can make the referral.
Skilled nursing facilities nearby
- 0.5mi Shoreland Health Care and Retirement Center Whiteville, NC · 89 beds Medicare overall 3 of 5 stars · Short-stay quality 3 of 5
- 0.7mi Liberty Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Whiteville, NC · 107 beds Medicare overall 1 of 5 stars · Short-stay quality 3 of 5
- 10mi Premier Living and Rehab Center Lake Waccamaw, NC · 127 beds Medicare overall 1 of 5 stars · Short-stay quality 2 of 5 Abuse citation (CMS) SFF candidate
Skilled nursing ratings and inspections at Nursing Homes In Each State
Dialysis centers nearby See more
- 2.7mi DaVita SEDC Whiteville Dialysis CenterWhiteville, NC
- 8.7mi DaVita Chadbourn Dialysis CenterChadbourn, NC
- 16mi DaVita Bladenboro DialysisBladenboro, NC
Home health agencies nearby See more
- 2.7mi Liberty Home CareWhiteville, NC · 94% would recommend
- 23mi Adoration Home HealthElizabethtown, NC · 70% would recommend
- 23mi Centerwell Home HealthLumberton, NC · 79% would recommend
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Doctors at Columbus Regional Healthcare System
108 Medicare-enrolled doctors and other clinicians list this hospital as an affiliation, across 22 specialties.
Find doctors in Whiteville
Medicare-enrolled specialists with a practice in Whiteville, 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. Columbus Regional Healthcare System lists them here:
From the hospital's price transparency file (www.crhealthcare.org/cms-hpt.txt), checked Oct 31, 2026. For an estimate of what you'll pay, ask the hospital or your insurer; Medicare's averages are on our procedure cost pages.
What Medicare paid at Columbus Regional Healthcare System
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 | 99 | $41,602 | $13,394 | −19% |
| Heart failure and shock with major complicationsDRG 291 | 65 | $28,111 | $9,398 | −17% |
| Septicemia or severe sepsis without ventilator >96 hours without major complicationsDRG 872 | 25 | $24,473 | $7,552 | −19% |
| Respiratory infections and inflammations with major complicationsDRG 177 | 21 | $38,350 | $12,073 | −15% |
| Major hip and knee joint replacement or reattachment of lower extremity without major complicationsDRG 470 | 18 | $61,111 | $13,470 | −13% |
| Gastrointestinal hemorrhage with complicationsDRG 378 | 17 | $32,817 | $7,927 | −12% |
| Renal failure with major complicationsDRG 682 | 16 | $37,834 | $10,339 | −20% |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with major complicationsDRG 190 | 15 | $20,193 | $7,937 | −18% |
Outpatient services
| Service | Services | Avg billed | Avg allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Observation ServicesAPC 8011 | 193 | $13,853 | $2,372 |
| Level 3 Urology and Related ServicesAPC 5373 | 76 | $17,976 | $1,754 |
| Level 1 Intraocular ProceduresAPC 5491 | 73 | $14,043 | $2,028 |
| Level 4 Urology and Related ServicesAPC 5374 | 71 | $21,108 | $3,000 |
| Level 2 Upper GI ProceduresAPC 5302 | 62 | $12,576 | $1,634 |
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 North Carolina hospital finances.
Who owns Columbus Regional Healthcare System
Medicare enrollment and ownership records (PECOS)
Medicare lists the hospital's legal name as Columbus Regional Healthcare System, a non-profit organization, incorporated 2004.
280 doctors and other clinicians list Columbus Regional Healthcare System 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 · Columbus Regional Healthcare System (EIN 56-0538020)
As filed with the IRS by Columbus Regional Healthcare System. 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 Columbus Regional Healthcare System
HRSA shortage designations and BLS pay data
Primary care: Parts of Columbus are federally designated health professional shortage areas (1 designation). Highest shortage score 18.
Mental health: Parts of Columbus are federally designated health professional shortage areas (1 designation). Highest shortage score 17.
Dental: Parts of Columbus are federally designated health professional shortage areas (1 designation). Highest shortage score 18.
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 Columbus Regional Healthcare System? 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.