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Hospital ratings have become an important resource for choosing where to receive care. They influence which doctors patients choose, how far they are willing to travel, and whether they seek care at a different facility.
On October 27, Healthgrades announced the recipients of the 2027 Specialty Excellence Outpatient Awards and Specialty State Rankings.
The annual awards recognize hospitals delivering outstanding patient outcomes in specialty care across the United States. Healthgrades is the leading platform used by Americans for finding a doctor or hospital.
New research from Healthgrades highlights that hospital quality is increasingly a factor in healthcare decisions.
Around 80% of patients report that when looking for a doctor, the quality of the hospital where they practice matters. Additionally, 7 in 10 patients (68%) say they’re more likely to seek care for a procedure or health condition from a doctor who works at a hospital with high quality ratings.
What’s more, around 71% of patients say they would switch doctors to gain access to a higher-rated hospital.
“Our specialty awards identify the nation’s top-performing hospitals across numerous medical specialties, helping consumers find high quality care tailored to their specific needs,” said Alana Biggers, MD, MPH, medical advisor at Healthgrades.
“Navigating the complex healthcare system can feel daunting, but taking a proactive stance to understand where to access superior care can enhance your healthcare journey and overall experience. The ability to make informed decisions about your health — and where to get care — is a cornerstone of self-advocacy, and we are proud to help make that information accessible to all patients.”
Why high quality care at hospitals mattersHealthgrades identifies hospitals that deliver exceptional outcomes across common outpatient procedures and specialty conditions.
Finding high quality care is important, particularly amid a growing gap between top-performing and one-star hospitals.
According to Healthgrades, from 2023 to 2025, if all hospitals had performed at the five-star level from 2023 to 2025:
“One of the biggest challenges is balancing increasing patient needs with the resources available to healthcare professionals,” Biggers said.
“Hospitals face workforce shortages, growing administrative responsibilities, financial pressures, and increasing complexity in patient care. Physicians and other healthcare professionals need adequate time and support not only to evaluate and treat patients, but also to communicate results, coordinate follow-up care, and address concerns that arise between visits,” she continued.
“When healthcare teams are adequately supported, they are better positioned to communicate effectively with patients, coordinate care, and address patients’ needs.”
Biggers said that ensuring equal access to quality healthcare is challenging because of factors such as:
Hospital closures and reduced services make access even more difficult. Biggers identified a few possible solutions, such as expanding outpatient care, building community partnerships, using telehealth when appropriate, and improving coordination among healthcare providers.
“Ultimately, providing high quality care requires more than clinical expertise. It requires healthcare systems to invest in their workforce, strengthen care coordination, and create environments where healthcare professionals have the resources they need to provide safe, effective, and patient-centered care,” Biggers said.
“Equally important, healthcare systems must ensure that patients have meaningful access to these services, regardless of where they live or their socioeconomic circumstances.”
Awards for specialty hospitals, outpatient proceduresHealthgrades acknowledges hospitals that excel in three aspects of specialty care:
Biggers said that outstanding hospitals recognize that high quality care extends beyond just treating an illness.
“It involves listening to patients, understanding their individual circumstances, and ensuring they feel respected, informed, and involved in their healthcare decisions,” she said.
Specialty Excellence Awards and top hospitalsPatients want to find a hospital that excels in the procedures or health conditions relevant to them.
The recipients of the Specialty Excellence Awards are among the top 15% of hospitals specializing in these areas.
Healthgrades evaluated patient outcomes at roughly 4,500 hospitals across 31 common procedures and conditions to reach their decisions.
Among the list of Specialty Excellence Award recipients, Healthgrades also recognizes America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Specialty Care for 11 specialty areas and America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Specialty Care for four specialty areas.
“An outstanding hospital prioritizes both patient care and the people delivering that care,” Biggers told Healthline.
“While clinical outcomes, patient safety, and access to evidence-based treatments are essential measures of quality, I believe hospitals must also invest in workforce development and support. This means ensuring physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals have appropriate staffing levels, adequate clinical and administrative support, and opportunities for continued professional development,” she continued.
Healthgrades Outpatient AwardsHealthgrades awards U.S. hospitals that excel at Outpatient Orthopedic Surgery, Outpatient Joint Replacement, and Outpatient Prostate Care.
Outpatient care is one of the fastest-growing areas of healthcare. The number of orthopedic procedures performed in an outpatient environment has grown exponentially in recent years.
From 2020 to 2025, outpatient hip replacement procedures grew by 81%, while inpatient procedures dropped by 75%. Outpatient knee replacements increased by 71% while inpatient volumes decreased by 70%.
“I believe several factors are contributing to the growing demand for outpatient care, including advances in medical technology, a greater emphasis on preventive care, and the increasing need to manage chronic medical conditions,” Biggers said.
“Many services and procedures that previously required hospitalization can now be safely performed in outpatient settings. Patients also appreciate the convenience of receiving care closer to home and avoiding unnecessary hospital stays,” she added.
To meet the increasing demand for outpatient procedures, Biggers cautioned that healthcare systems must ensure that these services are adequately staffed and supported.
“Effective communication and coordination between outpatient providers, specialists, and hospitals are essential to maintaining continuity and quality of care,” she said.
Healthgrades Specialty State RankingsState Rankings identify the top three or five hospitals in eligible states across 19 key specialty areas.
The rankings are based on clinical performance and build on the 2027 Healthgrades Specialty Excellence Awards Methodology.
State-level specialty care rankings help consumers find outstanding local hospitals for their condition or procedure.
The analysis used Medicare inpatient data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) from 2023 to 2025, and assessed patient outcomes across 31 conditions and procedures.
These outcomes served as the foundation for determining Specialty Excellence Awards and state hospital rankings.
How were the awards chosen?With consumer-facing awards and ratings influencing healthcare decisions, transparency about their methods and limitations remains essential.
Ratings can help patients ask better questions and compare options, but they should complement — not replace — clinical guidance and informed decision making.
The methodologies for each of the specialty awards can be found on the following pages:
For more information, Healthgrades’ Specialty Excellence Patient Advocate Center provides access to the information you need to make informed decisions about your care. This resource includes an overview of how Healthgrades picks award recipients, plus a list of the top U.S. hospitals for specialty care.
To be eligible for a Specialty Excellence Award, hospitals must receive a rating in the required procedures and conditions used to determine the award. Some awards are based on a single procedure, while others are based on a grouping of procedures. To learn more about Healthgrades’ ratings and awards determination process, see the 2027 Specialty Excellence Awards and Ratings Methodology.