Source: CMS Care Compare, July 2026 releaseER figures are medians, not live waitsAbout the data
Visiting University of Texas Medical Branch Gal
Galveston, TX 77550
County: Galveston Directions Apple Maps Call (409) 772-2222
- 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 University of Texas Medical Branch Gal (opens the hospital's site)
Nearby hospitals
- <0.1mi Shriners Hospitals for Children Galveston, TX Call Shriners Hospitals for Children Directions to Shriners Hospitals for Children (Google Maps) Details for Shriners Hospitals for Children
- 25mi Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Nassau Bay, TX · Emergency room · median ER visit 2 hr 35 min Call Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Directions to Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital (Google Maps) Details for Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital
- 26mi Houston Physicians' Hospital Webster, TX · Emergency room · median ER visit 2 hr 50 min Call Houston Physicians' Hospital Directions to Houston Physicians' Hospital (Google Maps) Details for Houston Physicians' Hospital
Quick answers about University of Texas Medical Branch Gal
How long is the ER wait at University of Texas Medical Branch Gal?
CMS doesn't publish live wait times. Over the 12 months CMS reported, patients treated and sent home spent a median of 3 hr 10 min in the University of Texas Medical Branch Gal emergency room (the average across Texas hospitals is 2 hr 26 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 (409) 772-2222. In an emergency, call 911.
What is the phone number for University of Texas Medical Branch Gal?
The main phone number for University of Texas Medical Branch Gal is (409) 772-2222, from Medicare's hospital records.
Call (409) 772-2222What is the address of University of Texas Medical Branch Gal?
University of Texas Medical Branch Gal is at 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550.
Directions (opens Google Maps)Does University of Texas Medical Branch Gal have an emergency room?
Yes. University of Texas Medical Branch Gal has an emergency department, according to Medicare data.
What is University of Texas Medical Branch Gal's Medicare star rating?
University of Texas Medical Branch Gal has an overall rating of 3 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 University of Texas Medical Branch Gal spend a median of 3 hours 10 minutes there. That is 44 minutes longer than the average across Texas hospitals (2 hours 26 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 University of Texas Medical Branch Gal. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Compare ER waits across Texas · How Texas hospitals rank on star ratings · Other birthing-friendly hospitals in Texas · How we source this data · Something wrong on this page? Tell us
What patients say
CMS patient survey (HCAHPS) · 1,536 completed surveys · patients discharged Oct 2024 – Sep 2025
Patients gave University of Texas Medical Branch Gal a 3-star patient experience rating out of 5. 72% 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 6 hospital-acquired infections CMS could compare, University of Texas Medical Branch Gal was better than the national benchmark on 2 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 | 11.8% | 11.9% |
| Heart failure patients | 8.6% | 11.1% |
| Pneumonia patients | 11.9% | 15.2% |
| Stroke patients | 11.0% | 11.9% |
| COPD patients | 8.2% | 8.6% |
| Coronary bypass (CABG) surgery patients | 3.1% | 2.4% |
| Hospital-wide, all conditions | 2.8% | 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 11 complication measures
| Measure | This hospital | U.S. | CMS comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths among surgical patients with serious treatable complicationsper 1,000 patients | 170.64 | 173.3 | Same as national |
| Pressure ulcers (bed sores)per 1,000 patients | 0.75 | 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 | 0.3 | 0.21 | Same as national |
| Bleeding or blood clot under the skin after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 2.65 | 2.34 | Same as national |
| Kidney injury needing dialysis after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 1.56 | 1.67 | Same as national |
| Respiratory failure after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 9.09 | 9.42 | Same as national |
| Blood clots in the lungs or legs after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 3.23 | 3.52 | Same as national |
| Bloodstream infection (sepsis) after surgeryper 1,000 patients | 6.77 | 5.27 | Same as national |
| Surgical wound splitting openper 1,000 patients | 1.44 | 1.77 | Same as national |
| Accidental cuts or tears during abdominal surgeryper 1,000 patients | 1.49 | 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 University of Texas Medical Branch Gal accept?
Original Medicare: Medicare-certified, so it can bill Original Medicare (Medicare number 450018). Medicare Advantage plans have their own networks, which this section does not cover.
2027 Marketplace plans in Texas that list this hospital
| Insurer | Plans in network | Network | Network tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas | 463 of 594 plans | BLUE-ADVANTAGE-HMO | Blue-Advantage-Hmo |
| Oscar | 42 of 182 plans | – | Preferred |
| Antidote Health | 41 of 43 plans | TIERTWO | Tiertwo |
| Wellpoint | 23 of 23 plans | – | Participating |
| Community Health Choice | 16 of 25 plans | – | Preferred |
2027 plan year, individual Marketplace (ACA) plans only.Health insurance in Texas
What insurance does University of Texas Medical Branch Gal accept?
In the 2027 HealthCare.gov Marketplace plan data (insurer network files loaded November 4, 2026), University of Texas Medical Branch Gal is in network for 5 Marketplace insurers in Texas: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (463 of 594 plans), Oscar (42 of 182 plans), Antidote Health (41 of 43 plans) and 2 other insurers. 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 University of Texas Medical Branch Gal take Medicare?
University of Texas Medical Branch Gal is a Medicare-certified hospital (CMS Certification Number 450018), 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 University of Texas Medical Branch Gal accept Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas?
University of Texas Medical Branch Gal is in network for 463 of 594 plans that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas sells on the Texas Marketplace in 2027, according to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas's network file loaded November 4, 2026. Not every Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas plan includes it. Networks differ from plan to plan and can change, so confirm with the insurer before you get care.
Does University of Texas Medical Branch Gal accept Oscar?
University of Texas Medical Branch Gal is in network for 42 of 182 plans that Oscar sells on the Texas 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.
Does University of Texas Medical Branch Gal accept Antidote Health?
University of Texas Medical Branch Gal is in network for 41 of 43 plans that Antidote Health sells on the Texas Marketplace in 2027, according to Antidote Health's network file loaded November 4, 2026. Not every Antidote Health 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, University of Texas Medical Branch Gal 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 | 16% | 14.4% | Not compared |
| Heart failure | 22.2% | 21.3% | Not compared |
| Pneumonia | 16.5% | 17.3% | Not compared |
| COPD (chronic lung disease) | 20.8% | 20% | Not compared |
| Heart bypass surgery (CABG) | 12.5% | 11% | 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. 4 of 5 conditions are above 1.00.
| Condition | Ratio | Patients | Readmissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart attack | 1.149 | 255 | More than expected |
| Heart failure | 1.096 | 906 | More than expected |
| Heart bypass surgery | 1.095 | 92 | More than expected |
| COPD | 1.022 | 179 | More than expected |
| Pneumonia | 0.990 | 576 | 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
University of Texas Medical Branch Gal's emergency department is classed by CMS as very high 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. 99 patients. | 35% | 65% |
| Septic shock: full treatment within 3 hoursHigher is better. 30 patients. | 53% | 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. 51 patients. | 94% | 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. 350 patients. | 190 min | 162 min |
| Typical ER time for mental health patients sent homeMedian minutes from arrival to leaving. Lower is better. 12 patients. | 223 min | 257 min |
| Patients who left the ER before being seenLower is better. 147,680 patients. | 0% | 2% |
| Health care workers vaccinated against fluHigher is better. 10,051 patients. | 64% | 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. 9,221 patients. | 12% | 15% |
| Colonoscopy: right follow-up interval for average-risk patientsHigher is better. 120 patients. | 98% | 93% |
| Stroke: discharged on clot-prevention medicineHigher is better. 544 patients. | 97% | 98%* |
| Stroke with atrial fibrillation: discharged on a blood thinnerHigher is better. 122 patients. | 68% | 75%* |
| Stroke: clot prevention started by day 2Higher is better. 458 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 | 44 |
| Patient experiencePatient survey results | 36 |
| SafetyHospital-acquired infections | 8.3 |
| 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 University of Texas Medical Branch Gal
Medicare-certified providers near this hospital, with their CMS ratings. A hospital discharge planner can make the referral.
Skilled nursing facilities nearby
- 1.6mi The Meridian Galveston, TX · 96 beds Medicare overall 4 of 5 stars · Short-stay quality 2 of 5
- 7.0mi Galveston Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Galveston, TX · 150 beds Medicare overall 1 of 5 stars · Short-stay quality 1 of 5 SFF candidate
- 9.4mi The Phoenix Post-Acute Texas City, TX · 134 beds Medicare overall 3 of 5 stars · Short-stay quality 4 of 5
Skilled nursing ratings and inspections at Nursing Homes In Each State
Dialysis centers nearby See more
- 4.0mi DaVita Island DialysisGalveston, TX
- 9.6mi Fkc Texas City Dialysis CenterTexas City, TX
- 13mi DaVita Texas City PDLa Marque, TX
Home health agencies nearby See more
- 0.5mi Sigma Health Care INCGalveston, TX
- 4.0mi Accentcare Home Health of TexasGalveston, TX · 81% would recommend
- 10mi Care Options Health Services INCTiki Island, TX
Hospice care providers nearby See more
- 4.0mi North Star HospiceGalveston, TX Not rated
- 9.6mi Better Care MattersTexas City, TX Not rated
- 15mi Choice Health at HomeTexas City, TX · 73% would recommend
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Doctors at University of Texas Medical Branch Gal
668 Medicare-enrolled doctors and other clinicians list this hospital as an affiliation, across 36 specialties.
Find doctors in Galveston
Medicare-enrolled specialists with a practice in Galveston, 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. University of Texas Medical Branch Gal lists them here:
From the hospital's price transparency file (www.utmbhealth.com/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 University of Texas Medical Branch Gal
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 Texas.
Hospital stays
| Stay | Stays | Avg billed | Avg payment (Medicare + patient) | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Septicemia or severe sepsis without ventilator >96 hours with major complicationsDRG 871 | 330 | $67,097 | $23,223 | +39% |
| Heart failure and shock with major complicationsDRG 291 | 227 | $38,619 | $15,440 | +31% |
| Respiratory infections and inflammations with major complicationsDRG 177 | 142 | $49,825 | $19,476 | +42% |
| Acute myocardial infarction, discharged alive with major complicationsDRG 280 | 124 | $54,080 | $19,773 | +47% |
| Simple pneumonia and pleurisy with major complicationsDRG 193 | 119 | $41,155 | $16,071 | +40% |
| Pulmonary edema and respiratory failureDRG 189 | 102 | $46,094 | $15,192 | +28% |
| Kidney and urinary tract infections with major complicationsDRG 689 | 87 | $30,587 | $14,474 | +40% |
| Kidney and urinary tract infections without major complicationsDRG 690 | 83 | $25,824 | $11,224 | +34% |
Outpatient services
| Service | Services | Avg billed | Avg allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Observation ServicesAPC 8011 | 769 | $16,740 | $2,522 |
| Level 1 Intraocular ProceduresAPC 5491 | 417 | $12,317 | $2,124 |
| Level 2 Urology and Related ServicesAPC 5372 | 286 | $2,586 | $603 |
| Level 2 Excision/Biopsy/Incision and DrainageAPC 5072 | 212 | $14,262 | $1,470 |
| Level 1 Endovascular ProceduresAPC 5191 | 191 | $23,735 | $2,960 |
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 Aug 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 Texas hospital finances.
Who owns University of Texas Medical Branch Gal
Medicare enrollment and ownership records (PECOS)
Medicare lists the hospital's legal name as University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, a non-profit organization.
1,282 doctors and other clinicians list University of Texas Medical Branch Gal 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 University of Texas Medical Branch Gal
HRSA shortage designations and BLS pay data
Primary care: Parts of Galveston are federally designated health professional shortage areas (2 designations). Highest shortage score 15.
Mental health: Parts of Galveston are federally designated health professional shortage areas (1 designation). Highest shortage score 13.
Nurse pay: registered nurses in Texas earn a median $95,970 a year. Healthcare salaries in Texas.
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. Texas shortage areas
Closest other hospitals
Healthcare pay in Texas
Registered nurses across Texas (all employers) earned a median of $95,970 a year (BLS, May 2025).Registered Nurse (RN) salary in TexasNurse Practitioner salary in TexasRespiratory Therapist salary in TexasHealthcare salaries in Texas
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Cite this data
Writing about University of Texas Medical Branch Gal? 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.