Source: CMS Care Compare, July 2026 releaseER figures are medians, not live waitsAbout the data
Visiting Sanford Medical Center Bismarck
- 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 Sanford Medical Center Bismarck (opens the hospital's site)
Nearby hospitals
- 0.2mi St Alexius Medical Center Bismarck, ND · Emergency room · median ER visit 2 hr 56 min Call St Alexius Medical Center Directions to St Alexius Medical Center (Google Maps) Details for St Alexius Medical Center
- 45mi Linton Hospital - CAH Linton, ND · Emergency room · median ER visit 1 hr 48 min Call Linton Hospital - CAH Directions to Linton Hospital - CAH (Google Maps) Details for Linton Hospital - CAH
- 49mi CHI St Alexius Health Turtle Lake Turtle Lake, ND · Emergency room · median ER visit 1 hr 44 min Call CHI St Alexius Health Turtle Lake Directions to CHI St Alexius Health Turtle Lake (Google Maps) Details for CHI St Alexius Health Turtle Lake
Quick answers about Sanford Medical Center Bismarck
How long is the ER wait at Sanford Medical Center Bismarck?
CMS doesn't publish live wait times. Over the 12 months CMS reported, patients treated and sent home spent a median of 3 hr in the Sanford Medical Center Bismarck emergency room (the average across North Dakota hospitals is 1 hr 55 min). 6% of ER patients left before being seen. For tonight's wait, check the hospital's website (opens the hospital's own site) or call (701) 323-6000. In an emergency, call 911.
What is the phone number for Sanford Medical Center Bismarck?
The main phone number for Sanford Medical Center Bismarck is (701) 323-6000, from Medicare's hospital records.
Call (701) 323-6000What is the address of Sanford Medical Center Bismarck?
Sanford Medical Center Bismarck is at 300 N 7th St, Bismarck, ND 58501.
Directions (opens Google Maps)Does Sanford Medical Center Bismarck have an emergency room?
Yes. Sanford Medical Center Bismarck has an emergency department, according to Medicare data.
What is Sanford Medical Center Bismarck's Medicare star rating?
Sanford Medical Center Bismarck has an overall rating of 4 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 Sanford Medical Center Bismarck spend a median of 3 hours there. That is 1 hour 5 minutes longer than the average across North Dakota hospitals (1 hour 55 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 Sanford Medical Center Bismarck. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Compare ER waits across North Dakota · How North Dakota hospitals rank on star ratings · Other birthing-friendly hospitals in North Dakota · How we source this data · Something wrong on this page? Tell us
What patients say
CMS patient survey (HCAHPS) · 368 completed surveys · patients discharged Oct 2024 – Sep 2025
Patients gave Sanford Medical Center Bismarck a 2-star patient experience rating out of 5. 65% would definitely recommend it (U.S. average 71%). 63% 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 Sanford Medical Center Bismarck
Infections, complications and deaths
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · compared with hospitals nationwide
Of the 5 hospital-acquired infections CMS could compare, Sanford Medical Center Bismarck 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 attack patients | 10.2% | 11.9% |
| Heart failure patients | 9.5% | 11.1% |
| Pneumonia patients | 12.7% | 15.2% |
| Stroke patients | 9.3% | 11.9% |
| COPD patients | 7.6% | 8.6% |
| Coronary bypass (CABG) surgery patients | 2.3% | 2.4% |
| Hospital-wide, all conditions | 3.2% | 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 12 complication measures
| Measure | This hospital | U.S. | CMS comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complications after hip or knee replacement% of patients | 5.1 | 4.1 | Not compared |
| Deaths among surgical patients with serious treatable complicationsper 1,000 patients | 161.49 | 173.3 | Same as national |
| Pressure ulcers (bed sores)per 1,000 patients | 0.98 | 0.63 | Same as national |
| Falls in the hospital that caused a broken boneper 1,000 patients | 0.29 | 0.27 | Same as national |
| Collapsed lung caused by a medical procedureper 1,000 patients | 0.24 | 0.21 | Same as national |
| Bleeding or blood clot under the skin after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 2.91 | 2.34 | Same as national |
| Kidney injury needing dialysis after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 1.26 | 1.67 | Same as national |
| Respiratory failure after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 7.32 | 9.42 | Same as national |
| Blood clots in the lungs or legs after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 3.48 | 3.52 | Same as national |
| Bloodstream infection (sepsis) after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 5.24 | 5.27 | Same as national |
| Surgical wound splitting openper 1,000 patients | 1.87 | 1.77 | Same as national |
| Accidental cuts or tears during abdominal surgeryper 1,000 patients | 1.63 | 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 Sanford Medical Center Bismarck accept?
Original Medicare: Medicare-certified, so it can bill Original Medicare (Medicare number 350015). Medicare Advantage plans have their own networks, which this section does not cover.
2027 Marketplace plans in North Dakota that list this hospital
| Insurer | Plans in network | Network | Network tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota | 19 of 19 plans | – | in-Network |
| Sanford Health Plan | 16 of 54 plans | SHPTRUE, SIMPLICITY | Shptrue |
2027 plan year, individual Marketplace (ACA) plans only.Health insurance in North Dakota
Adults in North Dakota qualify for Medicaid up to 133% of the poverty line. Ask the hospital which North Dakota Medicaid plans it takes.
What insurance does Sanford Medical Center Bismarck accept?
In the 2027 HealthCare.gov Marketplace plan data (insurer network files loaded November 4, 2026), Sanford Medical Center Bismarck is in network for 2 Marketplace insurers in North Dakota: Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (19 of 19 plans) and Sanford Health Plan (16 of 54 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 Sanford Medical Center Bismarck take Medicare?
Sanford Medical Center Bismarck is a Medicare-certified hospital (CMS Certification Number 350015), 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 Sanford Medical Center Bismarck accept Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota?
Sanford Medical Center Bismarck is in network for 19 of 19 plans that Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota sells on the North Dakota Marketplace in 2027, according to Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota'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 Sanford Medical Center Bismarck accept Sanford Health Plan?
Sanford Medical Center Bismarck is in network for 16 of 54 plans that Sanford Health Plan sells on the North Dakota Marketplace in 2027, according to Sanford Health Plan's network file loaded November 4, 2026. Not every Sanford Health Plan 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, Sanford Medical Center Bismarck 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 attack | 13.4% | 14.4% | Not compared |
| Heart failure | 19% | 21.3% | Not compared |
| Pneumonia | 15% | 17.3% | Not compared |
| COPD (chronic lung disease) | 18.5% | 20% | Not compared |
| Heart bypass surgery (CABG) | 12.5% | 11% | Not compared |
| Hip or knee replacement | 6.5% | 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 5 conditions is above 1.00.
| Condition | Ratio | Patients | Readmissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart bypass surgery | 1.069 | 110 | More than expected |
| Pneumonia | 0.944 | 524 | Fewer than expected |
| Heart attack | 0.938 | 255 | Fewer than expected |
| COPD | 0.895 | 146 | Fewer than expected |
| Heart failure | 0.872 | 522 | 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
Sanford Medical Center Bismarck'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. 116 patients. | 36% | 65% |
| Septic shock: full treatment within 3 hoursHigher is better. 41 patients. | 59% | 73% |
| 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. 391 patients. | 180 min | 162 min |
| Typical ER time for mental health patients sent homeMedian minutes from arrival to leaving. Lower is better. 15 patients. | 272 min | 257 min |
| Patients who left the ER before being seenLower is better. 38,382 patients. | 6% | 2% |
| Health care workers vaccinated against fluHigher is better. 4,107 patients. | 90% | 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. 3,963 patients. | 12% | 15% |
| Colonoscopy: right follow-up interval for average-risk patientsHigher is better. 92 patients. | 95% | 93% |
| Stroke: discharged on clot-prevention medicineHigher is better. 156 patients. | 97% | 98%* |
| Stroke with atrial fibrillation: discharged on a blood thinnerHigher is better. 51 patients. | 75% | 75%* |
| Stroke: clot prevention started by day 2Higher is better. 132 patients. | 91% | 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 | 72 |
| Patient experiencePatient survey results | 8 |
| SafetyHospital-acquired infections | 38.3 |
| Efficiency and costMedicare spending per patient | 70 |
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 Sanford Medical Center Bismarck
Medicare-certified providers near this hospital, with their CMS ratings. A hospital discharge planner can make the referral.
Skilled nursing facilities nearby
- 1.6mi St Vincent's - a Prospera Community Bismarck, ND · 97 beds Medicare overall 3 of 5 stars · Short-stay quality 3 of 5
- 2.9mi Baptist Health & Rehab Bismarck, ND · 140 beds Medicare overall 5 of 5 stars · Short-stay quality 2 of 5
- 2.9mi Good Samaritan Society Augusta Place a Prospera Community Bismarck, ND · 48 beds Medicare overall 5 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
- 4.0mi Sanford Tom and Frances Leach Bismarck DialysisBismarck, ND
- 4.0mi CHI St Alexius Health - Bismarck DialysisBismarck, ND
Home health agencies nearby See more
- 4.0mi CHI Health at HomeBismarck, ND · 80% would recommend
- 6.6mi Kayd Home CareBismarck, ND Not rated
- 6.6mi Love and Care INCBismarck, ND Not rated
Hospice care providers nearby See more
- 4.0mi CHI Health at HomeBismarck, ND · 87% would recommend
- 8.7mi Sanford Home Care - HospiceMandan, ND · 84% would recommend
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Doctors at Sanford Medical Center Bismarck
331 Medicare-enrolled doctors and other clinicians list this hospital as an affiliation, across 31 specialties.
Find doctors in Bismarck
Medicare-enrolled specialists with a practice in Bismarck, 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. Sanford Medical Center Bismarck lists them here:
From the hospital's price transparency file (www.sanfordhealth.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 Sanford Medical Center Bismarck
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 Dakota.
Hospital stays
| Stay | Stays | Avg billed | Avg payment (Medicare + patient) | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Septicemia or severe sepsis without ventilator >96 hours with major complicationsDRG 871 | 152 | $48,032 | $15,753 | −2% |
| Heart failure and shock with major complicationsDRG 291 | 129 | $27,592 | $10,253 | −2% |
| Acute myocardial infarction, discharged alive with major complicationsDRG 280 | 125 | $37,631 | $12,771 | −5% |
| Respiratory infections and inflammations with major complicationsDRG 177 | 119 | $39,986 | $13,352 | −3% |
| Simple pneumonia and pleurisy with major complicationsDRG 193 | 80 | $32,323 | $10,609 | −1% |
| Percutaneous and other intracardiac procedures without major complicationsDRG 274 | 71 | $74,000 | $24,185 | −3% |
| Gastrointestinal hemorrhage with complicationsDRG 378 | 58 | $25,655 | $7,731 | −4% |
| Pulmonary edema and respiratory failureDRG 189 | 56 | $32,345 | $10,140 | −8% |
Outpatient services
| Service | Services | Avg billed | Avg allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Observation ServicesAPC 8011 | 911 | $14,643 | $2,558 |
| Level 2 Urology and Related ServicesAPC 5372 | 646 | $1,301 | $639 |
| Level 2 Excision/Biopsy/Incision and DrainageAPC 5072 | 441 | $6,315 | $1,510 |
| Level 1 Endovascular ProceduresAPC 5191 | 339 | $22,061 | $3,060 |
| Level 3 Urology and Related ServicesAPC 5373 | 272 | $3,682 | $1,892 |
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 Dec 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 Dakota hospital finances.
Who owns Sanford Medical Center Bismarck
Medicare enrollment and ownership records (PECOS)
Medicare lists the hospital's legal name as Sanford Bismarck, a non-profit organization, incorporated 2007.
744 doctors and other clinicians list Sanford Medical Center Bismarck 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 Sanford Medical Center Bismarck
HRSA shortage designations and BLS pay data
Mental health: Burleigh is a federally designated health professional shortage area. Highest shortage score 11.
Nurse pay: registered nurses in North Dakota earn a median $80,730 a year. Healthcare salaries in North Dakota.
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 Dakota shortage areas
Closest other hospitals
Healthcare pay in North Dakota
Registered nurses across North Dakota (all employers) earned a median of $80,730 a year (BLS, May 2025).Registered Nurse (RN) salary in North DakotaNurse Practitioner salary in North DakotaRespiratory Therapist salary in North DakotaHealthcare salaries in North Dakota
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Cite this data
Writing about Sanford Medical Center Bismarck? 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.