Source: CMS Care Compare, July 2026 releaseER figures are medians, not live waitsAbout the data
Visiting Waccamaw Community Hospital
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
County: Horry Directions Apple Maps Call (843) 652-1000
- 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 Waccamaw Community Hospital (opens the hospital's site)
Nearby hospitals
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- 19mi Georgetown Memorial Hospital Georgetown, SC · Emergency room · median ER visit 2 hr 31 min Call Georgetown Memorial Hospital Directions to Georgetown Memorial Hospital (Google Maps) Details for Georgetown Memorial Hospital
Quick answers about Waccamaw Community Hospital
How long is the ER wait at Waccamaw Community 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 58 min in the Waccamaw Community Hospital emergency room (the average across South Carolina hospitals is 2 hr 42 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 (843) 652-1000. In an emergency, call 911.
What is the phone number for Waccamaw Community Hospital?
The main phone number for Waccamaw Community Hospital is (843) 652-1000, from Medicare's hospital records.
Call (843) 652-1000What is the address of Waccamaw Community Hospital?
Waccamaw Community Hospital is at 4070 Highway 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576.
Directions (opens Google Maps)Does Waccamaw Community Hospital have an emergency room?
Yes. Waccamaw Community Hospital has an emergency department, according to Medicare data.
What is Waccamaw Community Hospital's Medicare star rating?
Waccamaw Community Hospital 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 Waccamaw Community Hospital spend a median of 2 hours 58 minutes there. That is 16 minutes longer than the average across South Carolina hospitals (2 hours 42 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 Waccamaw Community Hospital. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Compare ER waits across South Carolina · How South Carolina hospitals rank on star ratings · Other birthing-friendly hospitals in South Carolina · How we source this data · Something wrong on this page? Tell us
What patients say
CMS patient survey (HCAHPS) · 581 completed surveys · patients discharged Oct 2024 – Sep 2025
Patients gave Waccamaw Community Hospital a 3-star patient experience rating out of 5. 69% would definitely recommend it (U.S. average 71%). 73% 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.
Nearby ERs with shorter visits
Infections, complications and deaths
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · compared with hospitals nationwide
Of the 5 hospital-acquired infections CMS could compare, Waccamaw Community Hospital 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 | 13.6% | 11.9% |
| Heart failure patients | 11.8% | 11.1% |
| Pneumonia patients | 16.8% | 15.2% |
| Stroke patients | 16.8% | 11.9% |
| COPD patients | 8.5% | 8.6% |
| Hospital-wide, all conditions | 4.3% | 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 | 3.8 | 4.1 | Not compared |
| Deaths among surgical patients with serious treatable complicationsper 1,000 patients | 188.33 | 173.3 | Same as national |
| Pressure ulcers (bed sores)per 1,000 patients | 0.56 | 0.63 | Same as national |
| Falls in the hospital that caused a broken boneper 1,000 patients | 0.31 | 0.27 | Same as national |
| Collapsed lung caused by a medical procedureper 1,000 patients | 0.22 | 0.21 | Same as national |
| Bleeding or blood clot under the skin after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 1.9 | 2.34 | Same as national |
| Kidney injury needing dialysis after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 1.46 | 1.67 | Same as national |
| Respiratory failure after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 8.57 | 9.42 | Same as national |
| Blood clots in the lungs or legs after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 4.59 | 3.52 | Same as national |
| Bloodstream infection (sepsis) after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 4.67 | 5.27 | Same as national |
| Surgical wound splitting openper 1,000 patients | 1.66 | 1.77 | Same as national |
| Accidental cuts or tears during abdominal surgeryper 1,000 patients | 1.37 | 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 Waccamaw Community Hospital accept?
Original Medicare: Medicare-certified, so it can bill Original Medicare (Medicare number 420098). Medicare Advantage plans have their own networks, which this section does not cover.
2027 Marketplace plans in South Carolina that list this hospital
| Insurer | Plans in network | Network tier |
|---|---|---|
| Ambetter | 34 of 34 plans | Preferred |
| UnitedHealthcare | 17 of 17 plans | Non-Preferred |
| First Choice Next | 12 of 12 plans | Preferred |
2027 plan year, individual Marketplace (ACA) plans only.Health insurance in South Carolina
Plans that include this hospital: Ambetter Elite Bronze, Ambetter Elite Bronze + Vision + Adult Dental, Ambetter Elite Bronze SC, Ambetter Elite Bronze SC + Vision + Adult Dental, Ambetter Elite Gold, Ambetter Elite Gold + Vision + Adult Dental Compare plans
What insurance does Waccamaw Community Hospital accept?
In the 2027 HealthCare.gov Marketplace plan data (insurer network files loaded November 4, 2026), Waccamaw Community Hospital is in network for 3 Marketplace insurers in South Carolina: Ambetter (34 of 34 plans), UnitedHealthcare (17 of 17 plans) and First Choice 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 Waccamaw Community Hospital take Medicare?
Waccamaw Community Hospital is a Medicare-certified hospital (CMS Certification Number 420098), 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 Waccamaw Community Hospital accept Ambetter?
Waccamaw Community Hospital is in network for 34 of 34 plans that Ambetter sells on the South 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 Waccamaw Community Hospital accept UnitedHealthcare?
Waccamaw Community Hospital is in network for 17 of 17 plans that UnitedHealthcare sells on the South 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 Waccamaw Community Hospital accept First Choice Next?
Waccamaw Community Hospital is in network for 12 of 12 plans that First Choice Next sells on the South Carolina Marketplace in 2027, according to First Choice 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 2023 – Jun 2025
On the 2 readmission and return-visit measures CMS could compare, Waccamaw Community 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart attack | 14.7% | 14.4% | Not compared |
| Heart failure | 23.3% | 21.3% | Not compared |
| Pneumonia | 17.1% | 17.3% | Not compared |
| COPD (chronic lung disease) | 19.1% | 20% | Not compared |
| Hip or knee replacement | 6.1% | 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. 2 of 5 conditions are above 1.00.
| Condition | Ratio | Patients | Readmissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hip or knee replacement | 1.117 | – | More than expected |
| Heart attack | 1.056 | – | More than expected |
| Heart failure | 0.961 | 412 | Fewer than expected |
| Pneumonia | 0.958 | 456 | Fewer than expected |
| COPD | 0.914 | 170 | 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
Waccamaw Community 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. 114 patients. | 54% | 65% |
| Septic shock: full treatment within 3 hoursHigher is better. 48 patients. | 58% | 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. 11 patients. | 91% | 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. 389 patients. | 178 min | 162 min |
| Typical ER time for mental health patients sent homeMedian minutes from arrival to leaving. Lower is better. 13 patients. | 351 min | 257 min |
| Typical ER time for patients transferred to another facilityMedian minutes from arrival to leaving. Lower is better. 20 patients. | 280 min | 287 min |
| Patients who left the ER before being seenLower is better. 30,961 patients. | 3% | 2% |
| Health care workers vaccinated against fluHigher is better. 1,810 patients. | 88% | 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. 1,573 patients. | 14% | 15% |
| Colonoscopy: right follow-up interval for average-risk patientsHigher is better. 108 patients. | 94% | 93% |
| Blood clot prevention givenHigher is better. 2,486 patients. | 81% | 90%* |
| Stroke: discharged on clot-prevention medicineHigher is better. 82 patients. | 100% | 98%* |
| Stroke: clot prevention started by day 2Higher is better. 74 patients. | 92% | 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 |
| Patient experiencePatient survey results | 34 |
| SafetyHospital-acquired infections | 50 |
| 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 Waccamaw Community Hospital
Medicare-certified providers near this hospital, with their CMS ratings. A hospital discharge planner can make the referral.
Skilled nursing facilities nearby
- 3.6mi NHC Healthcare - Garden City Garden City, SC · 148 beds Medicare overall 4 of 5 stars · Short-stay quality 3 of 5
- 7.0mi Lakes at Litchfield Pawleys Island, SC · 24 beds Medicare overall 5 of 5 stars · Short-stay quality 3 of 5
- 9.4mi Angel Oak Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Myrtle Beach, SC · 88 beds Medicare overall 4 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
- 0.9mi FMC Dialysis Services Murrells InletMurrells Inlet, SC
- 12mi DaVita Market Commons Dialysis CenterMyrtle Beach, SC
- 12mi Fresenius Medical Care Myrtle BeachMyrtle Beach, SC
Home health agencies nearby See more
- 0.9mi Nhc Homecare Murrells InletMurrells Inlet, SC · 76% would recommend
- 7.7mi Amedisys Home Health of Myrtle BeachMyrtle Beach, SC · 81% would recommend
- 12mi Centerwell Home HealthMyrtle Beach, SC · 83% would recommend
Hospice care providers nearby See more
- 0.9mi Ardent Hospice & Palliative Care of Sc, INCMurrells Inlet, SC Not rated
- 12mi Heartland Hospice ServicesMyrtle Beach, SC · 79% would recommend
- 12mi Medical Services of America Hospice - CoastalMyrtle Beach, SC · 88% would recommend Not rated
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Doctors at Waccamaw Community Hospital
440 Medicare-enrolled doctors and other clinicians list this hospital as an affiliation, across 31 specialties.
Find doctors in Murrells Inlet
Medicare-enrolled specialists with a practice in Murrells Inlet, with addresses, phone numbers and the hospitals they work with.
What Medicare paid at Waccamaw Community 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 South 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 | 176 | $39,936 | $13,877 | −13% |
| Heart failure and shock with major complicationsDRG 291 | 137 | $26,917 | $9,433 | −12% |
| Simple pneumonia and pleurisy with major complicationsDRG 193 | 86 | $31,910 | $9,878 | −11% |
| Respiratory infections and inflammations with major complicationsDRG 177 | 73 | $41,044 | $11,824 | −12% |
| Gastrointestinal hemorrhage with complicationsDRG 378 | 65 | $28,185 | $7,509 | −13% |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with major complicationsDRG 190 | 47 | $25,594 | $8,861 | −5% |
| Miscellaneous disorders of nutrition, metabolism, fluids and electrolytes without major complicationsDRG 641 | 47 | $18,423 | $6,147 | −13% |
| Cardiac arrhythmia and conduction disorders with complicationsDRG 309 | 45 | $20,975 | $5,950 | −13% |
Outpatient services
| Service | Services | Avg billed | Avg allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Observation ServicesAPC 8011 | 610 | $14,896 | $2,330 |
| Level 2 Upper GI ProceduresAPC 5302 | 195 | $11,460 | $1,601 |
| Level 3 Lower GI ProceduresAPC 5313 | 190 | $16,779 | $2,370 |
| Level 5 Musculoskeletal ProceduresAPC 5115 | 180 | $48,426 | $11,259 |
| Level 1 Nerve ProceduresAPC 5431 | 163 | $8,173 | $1,646 |
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 South Carolina hospital finances.
Who owns Waccamaw Community Hospital
Medicare enrollment and ownership records (PECOS)
Medicare lists the hospital's legal name as Waccamaw Community Hospital, a non-profit organization, incorporated 2002.
791 doctors and other clinicians list Waccamaw Community 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.
Non-profit finances
IRS Form 990 · tax year ending Sep 2023 · Waccamaw Community Hospital (EIN 04-3633263)
As filed with the IRS by Waccamaw Community Hospital. 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 Waccamaw Community Hospital
HRSA shortage designations and BLS pay data
Primary care: Parts of Horry are federally designated health professional shortage areas (1 designation). Highest shortage score 12.
Mental health: Horry is a federally designated health professional shortage area. Highest shortage score 16.
Dental: Parts of Horry are federally designated health professional shortage areas (1 designation). Highest shortage score 15.
Nurse pay: registered nurses in South Carolina earn a median $82,360 a year. Healthcare salaries in South 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. South Carolina shortage areas
Closest other hospitals
Healthcare pay in South Carolina
Registered nurses across South Carolina (all employers) earned a median of $82,360 a year (BLS, May 2025).Registered Nurse (RN) salary in South CarolinaNurse Practitioner salary in South CarolinaRespiratory Therapist salary in South CarolinaHealthcare salaries in South Carolina
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Cite this data
Writing about Waccamaw Community 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.