Saturday, October 31, 2020

Medicare Advantage Growth in the Mid-East States

The Medicare open enrollment period is now underway through December 7th. During this period, many Medicare beneficiaries will be considering changing their Medicare coverage to a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan. MA Plans are an increasingly popular type of health plan offered by private insurers as an alternative to original Medicare.  MA plans are offered through private insurance carriers that contract with the federal government to provide an alternative to Medicare Part A and Part B benefits coverage. With MA plans, the U.S. government basically contracts private insurers to offer Medicare eligible individuals health plans that, at a minimum, match Original Medicare Part A and Part B benefits.  What gives Medicare Advantage plans their growing appeal is that private insurers have been able to bundle Part A and Part B benefits, plus a variety of extra benefits, into their plans at little to no cost to enrollees.

With normally lower costs and more benefits, MA Plans can be a great value compared to Original Medicare.  This added value that comes with MA plans is usually made possible, in part, through the imposition of managed care protocols and restricted provider networks that are not found with Original Medicare coverage.  While MA Plans can come in a various insurance models, the most popular Medicare Advantage plans feature HMO and PPO structures.  Notwithstanding managed care protocols and fewer provider choices, more and more Medicare eligible seniors are switching to Medicare Advantage plans because of the value they offer.  As of October 2020, across all 50 states there were about 24 million Americans enrolled in MA plans, an increase of more than 40% in the past 4 years.  During this same timeframe total Medicare enrollment across all 50 states has grown only about 10%, so MA plan market share in the Medicare market has been growing robustly, from just a 30% share four years ago to 39% today.

The growing popularity of Medicare Advantage plans nationally is mirrored in the Mid-East states, where MA plan enrollment over the past four years has grown nearly 35%.  During the same period, Overall Medicare enrollment in the five-state region has grown less than 8%, so the region has seen MA market share jump from around 30% four years ago to nearly 38% today.  Here is a closer look at Medicare Advantage enrollment growth in the five-state Mid-East region over the last four years:


Medicare Advantage Growth in the Mid-East States
Medicare Advantage Growth in the Mid-East States


Medicare Eligible (in thousands) MA Enrollment (in thousands) % Growth
State 2020 2016 2020 2016 Eligible MedAdv
DE 215.6 186.8 40.7 17.0 15.4% 139.4%
MD 1060.3 964.8 136.6 53.3 9.9% 156.5%
NJ 1639.5 1532.2 531.6 254.3 7.0% 109.0%
NY 3684.6 3432.4 1613.8 1276.4 7.3% 26.4%
PA 2782.5 2598.2 1235.4 1031.3 7.1% 19.8%
ME Only 9,382 8,714 3,558 2,632 7.7% 35.2%
All States 61,584 55,972 24,050 16,909 10.0% 42.2%

For a summary look at MA plan enrollment growth in other states, check out our resource page Medicare Advantage Enrollment Growth.

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

The Best Children's Hospitals in the Great Plains Region

In the most recent U.S. News & World Report rankings of American hospitals, 88 hospitals earned national distinction in at least one of the ten pediatric specialties studied in the survey.  No children's hospitals in the Great Plains region ranked among the top 10 best children's hospitals in the nation. However, nine hospitals in the region earned a top 50 national ranking in at least one of the ten pediatric specialties surveyed. Of these nine hospitals, five Great Plains children's hospitals earned top 50 national rankings in five or more pediatric specialties.  This included two hospitals in the region that earned a top 50 national ranking in all ten children's healthcare specialties. Here's a quick look at these five best children's hospitals in the Great Plains region and the pediatric specialty areas in which they excel:

The Best Children's Hospitals in the Great Plains Region
The Best Children's Hospitals in the Great Plains Region

Children's Mercy Kansas City
Location: Kansas City, MO
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 10 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#29 Cancer
#23 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#43 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#31 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#10 Nephrology
#46 Neonatology
#26 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#28 Orthopedics
#35 Pulmonology
#21 Urology

St. Louis Children's Hospital
Location: St. Louis
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 10 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#24 Cancer
#17 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#23 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#11 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#19 Nephrology
#22 Neonatology
#7   Neurology & Neurosurgery
#6   Orthopedics
#8   Pulmonology
#15 Urology

Mayo Clinic Children's Center
Location: Rochester, MN
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 8 of 10
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#34 Cancer
#42 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#40 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#44 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#36 Neonatology
#38 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#13 Orthopedics
#18 Urology

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital
Location: St. Louis
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 6 of 10
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#48 Cancer
#45 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#40 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#28 Neonatology
#48 Pulmonology
#38 Urology

University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital
Location: Iowa City
Nationally Ranked Pediatric  Specialties: 5 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#38 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#42 Nephrology
#32 Neonatology
#49 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#37 Orthopedics

To find other children's hospitals in the Great Plains region and elsewhere, check out our U.S. Children's Hospitals resource page.

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

The 20 Best States for Surgical Technologist Pay

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2019 there were 109,000 surgical technologists working in the United States. Surgical technologists work predominately in hospital settings, but smaller numbers can be found working in outpatient care centers, physician offices, and dentist offices. While most surgical technologist jobs require a post secondary education and certain technical skills, the pay scale for surgical technologists is somewhat lower than it is for workers in most occupations. In fact, according to BLS estimates, as of May 2019 the national mean wage for surgical technologists was $50,110 per year, slightly less than the $53,490 annual mean wage for workers in all occupations. These were the 20 best states for surgical technologist pay according to BLS' May 2019 data:

Alaska $67,660
Nevada $64,050
California $62,510
Minnesota $60,090
Washington $59,380
Connecticut $59,040
Hawaii $58,670
Oregon $58,510
Rhode Island $58,040
Massachusetts $57,470
New York $57,420
Wisconsin $55,820
Maryland $55,490
Colorado $55,350
New Jersey $54,660
Virginia $52,220
Arizona $51,730
Montana $51,260
New Hampshire $50,820
Delaware $49,610

So where does your state rank for surgical technologist pay?

Visit Surgical Technologist Average Wages by State to find annual mean wage information for other states.

Monday, October 26, 2020

The 20 Best States for Massage Therapist Pay

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2019 there were just over 107,000 massage therapists at work in the United States. Massage therapists work in a variety of settings, including spas, franchised clinics, physicians’ offices, hotels, and fitness centers. Most massage therapy jobs require a postsecondary education and certain technical skills, but the pay scale for massage therapists is considerably lower than it is for workers in most occupations. In fact, according to BLS estimates, as of May 2019 the national mean wage for massage therapists was $47,180 per year, more than 10% less than the $53,490 annual mean wage for workers in all occupations. Per BLS data, here were the 20 best states for massage therapist pay as of May 2019:

Alaska $77,080
Washington $65,770
Oregon $62,130
Hawaii $59,770
Massachusetts $57,530
Maine $53,540
New York $52,700
Nebraska $52,320
Texas $51,790
Idaho $51,630
Kentucky $51,080
Minnesota $51,080
New Hampshire $50,150
Illinois $47,980
Vermont $47,670
Connecticut $47,520
Florida $47,470
New Mexico $47,450
New Jersey $47,220
Maryland $46,030

So where does your state rank for massage therapist pay?

Visit Massage Therapist Average Wages by State to find out more.

Sunday, October 25, 2020

Medicare Advantage Enrollment Growth in the Southeast

With the Medicare open enrollment period underway through December 7th, many Medicare beneficiaries will be weighing a switch to a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan. Medicare Advantage Plans are an increasingly popular type of health plan offered by private companies as an alternative to original Medicare.  MA plans are offered through private insurance companies that contract with the federal government to provide an alternative to Medicare Part A and Part B benefits coverage. With a MA Plan, the U.S. government basically pays a stated amount to a private company to provide a Medicare eligible individual with a health plan that, at a minimum, matches Original Medicare Part A and Part B benefits.  What gives Medicare Advantage plans their appeal is that private companies have been able to bundle Part A and Part B benefits, plus a variety of extra benefits, into their plans at little to no cost to enrollees.

With typically lower costs and additional benefits, MA Plans can be a great value compared to Original Medicare.  The added value that comes with a Medicare Advantage plan is frequently made possible, in part, from the imposition of managed care protocols and restricted provider networks not found with Original Medicare.  While MA Plans can come in a variety of insurance models, the most popular Medicare Advantage plans feature health maintenance organization and preferred provider organization structures.  Even with managed care protocols and fewer provider choices, more and more Medicare eligible seniors are gravitating to the value MA plans offer.  As of October 2020, in all 50 states there are about 24 million Americans enrolled in MA plans, an increase of more than 40% in the past 4 years.  During this same period total Medicare enrollment in all 50 states has grown only about 10%, so MA plan market share in the Medicare market has been growing robustly, from a 30% share four years ago to 39% today.

The growing popularity of MA plans nationally is mirrored in the Southeast, where Medicare Advantage plan enrollment over the past four years has grown nearly 46%, in comparison to national MA enrollment growth of just over 42% during the same time period.  Here is a look at state-by-state Medicare Advantage enrollment growth in the Southeast over the last four years:

Medicare Advantage Enrollment Growth in the Southeast
Medicare Advantage Enrollment Growth in the Southeast

Medicare Eligible (in thousands) MA Enrollment (in thousands) % Growth
State 2020 2016 2020 2016 Eligible MedAdv
AL 1,063.4 991.4 489.6 262.2 7.3% 86.7%
AR 647.0 609.0 194.5 125.3 6.2% 55.3%
FL 4,667.9 4,172.8 2,295.3 1715.1 11.9% 33.8%
GA 1,776.2 1,585.9 771.5 529.6 12.0% 45.7%
KY 945.1 882.7 366.6 240.1 7.1% 52.7%
LA 891.5 817.7 376.8 257.4 9.0% 46.4%
MS 612.0 574.3 147.8 89.8 6.6% 64.7%
NC 2,038.4 1,829.7 830.6 561.9 11.4% 47.8%
SC 1,104.6 977.5 355.2 230.3 13.0% 54.3%
TN 1,385.4 1,269.6 593.6 452.3 9.1% 31.2%
VA 1,549.9 1,404.1 382.4 204.3 10.4% 87.1%
WV 443.4 424.9 154.4 106.4 4.4% 45.1%
SE Only 17,125 15,540 6,958 4,775 10.2% 45.7%
All States 61,584 55,972 24,050 16,909 10.0% 42.2%

For a summary look at MA plan enrollment growth in other states, visit our resource page Medicare Advantage Enrollment Growth.

Saturday, October 24, 2020

The 5 Best Children's Hospitals on the West Coast

US News and World Report recently released its Children's Hospital Rankings for 2020-21.  These rankings were based on an evaluation of a hospital's performance in ten children's medical specialties: (i) cancer, (ii) cardiology and heart surgery, (iii) diabetes and endocrinology, (iv) gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery, (v) nephrology, (vi) neonatology, (vii) neurology and neurosurgery, (viii) orthopedics, (ix) pulmonology, and (x) urology.  The methodology employed to develop these rankings is discussed in more detail here.  Based on this analysis, 88 hospitals across the country earned a top 50 national ranking in at least one pediatric specialty, including 13 children's hospitals on the West Coast.  Remarkably, five West Coast hospitals earned top 50 national recognition in all ten pediatric specialties studied, and two of those institutions earned distinction as being rated among the ten highest ranked children's hospital in the United States.  Here's a quick look at these 5 Best Children's Hospitals on the West Coast and the pediatric specialty areas in which they excel:

Children's Hospital Los Angeles (#5 overall nationally)
Location: Los Angeles
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 10 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#5   Cancer
#3   Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#8   Diabetes & Endocrinology
#6   Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#15 Nephrology
#2   Neonatology
#9   Neurology & Neurosurgery
#4   Orthopedics
#12 Pulmonology
#13 Urology

Location: Palo Alto, CA
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 10 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#16 Cancer
#20 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#9   Diabetes & Endocrinology
#13 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#4   Nephrology
#3   Neonatology
#8   Neurology & Neurosurgery
#31 Orthopedics
#7   Pulmonology
#19 Urology

Seattle Children's Hospital
Location: Seattle
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 10 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#11 Cancer
#16 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#21 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#12 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#2   Nephrology
#24 Neonatology
#23 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#14 Orthopedics
#10 Pulmonology
#9   Urology

Location: San Diego
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 10 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#32 Cancer
#21 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#14 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#30 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#18 Nephrology
#4   Neonatology
#16 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#7   Orthopedics
#18 Pulmonology
#12 Urology

Location: San Francisco
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 10 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#15 Cancer
#30 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#20 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#33 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#23 Nephrology
#18 Neonatology
#15 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#49 Orthopedics
#40 Pulmonology
#16 Urology

To find other children's hospitals on the West Coast and elsewhere, visit our U.S. Children's Hospitals resource page.

Friday, October 23, 2020

The 20 Best States for Speech Language Pathologist Pay

As of May 2019, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) there were about 154,000 speech language pathologists (SLPs) working in the United States. SLPs work in a variety of settings, including elementary and secondary schools, offices on non-physician health practitioners, hospitals, home health care agencies, and skilled nursing facilities. Most SLP jobs require advanced training and skills, so like many other healthcare professions, the pay scale for SLPs is considerably higher than it is for workers in most occupations. In fact, according to BLS estimates, as of May 2019 the national mean wage for speech language pathologists was $82,000 per year, more than 50% above the $53,490 annual mean wage for workers in all occupations. These were the 20 best states for speech language pathologist pay according to BLS' May 2019 data:

Connecticut $101,410
New York $96,770
New Jersey $95,710
California $92,740
Colorado $92,580
Virginia $87,140
Alaska $86,870
Oregon $86,800
Massachusetts $86,220
Rhode Island $85,450
Louisiana $84,480
Maryland $83,850
Delaware $83,690
Wyoming $81,140
Michigan $80,870
Pennsylvania $80,840
Florida $80,250
Hawaii $79,930
Utah $79,480
Missouri $79,070

So where does your state rank for speech language pathologist pay?

Check out Speech Language Pathologist Average Wages by State for annual mean wage information for other states.

Thursday, October 22, 2020

The 20 Best States for Recreational Therapist Pay

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2019 there were just over 19,000 recreational therapists (RTs) working in the United States. Recreational therapists work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and continuing care retirement communities. While most RT jobs require a bachelors degree and certain technical skills, the pay scale for RTs is considerably lower than it is for workers in most occupations. In fact, according to BLS estimates, as of May 2019 the national mean wage for RTs was $51,130 per year, slightly less than the $53,490 annual mean wage for workers in all occupations. These were the 20 best states for recreational therapist pay according to BLS' May 2019 data:

California $75,370
Hawaii $63,870
Washington $61,750
Connecticut $61,250
New Jersey $61,040
Minnesota $57,090
Massachusetts $56,480
New York $56,220
Oregon $55,390
Iowa $54,400
Wyoming $51,770
New Hampshire $51,550
Arkansas $51,060
Arizona $50,320
Missouri $49,990
Illinois $49,590
Utah $48,780
Florida $48,700
Delaware $48,660
Kentucky $48,520

So where does your state rank for RT pay?

Check out Recreational Therapist Average Wages by State to find out what RTs earn in other states.

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Top Ranked Children's Hospitals in the Southeast

In the most recent U.S. News & World Report rankings of American hospitals, 88 hospitals earned national distinction in at least one of the ten pediatric specialties studied in the survey.  No children's hospitals in the Southeast rated among the top 10 best children's hospitals in the nation. However, twenty-five children's hospitals in the region earned a top 50 national ranking in at least one of the ten pediatric specialties surveyed.  Moreover, ten Southeast children's hospitals earned top 50 national rankings in five or more pediatric specialties. Here's a quick look at these ten Southeast medical institutions and the pediatric specialty areas in which they excel:

Top Ranked Children's Hospitals in the Southeast
Top Ranked Children's Hospitals in the Southeast

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Location: Atlanta
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 10 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#7 Cancer
#26 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#42 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#8 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#8 Nephrology
#11 Neonatology
#12 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#10 Orthopedics
#17 Pulmonology
#19 Urology

Carell Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt
Location: Nashville, TN
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 10 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#21 Cancer
#33 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#30 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#18 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#40 Nephrology
#17 Neonatology
#28 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#30 Orthopedics
#16 Pulmonology
#5 Urology

Duke Children's Hospital
Location: Durham, NC
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 9 of 10
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#30 Cancer
#31 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#36 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#28 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#22 Nephrology
#21 Neonatology
#33 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#32 Pulmonology
#28 Urology

Children's of Alabama
Location: Birmingham, AL
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 9 of 10
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#27 Cancer
#28 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#41 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#38 Nephrology
#12 Neonatology
#32 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#47 Orthopedics
#29 Pulmonology
#44 Urology

Levine Children's Hospital
Location: Charlotte, NC
Nationally Ranked Pediatric  Specialties: 8 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#36 Cancer
#35 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#23 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#24 Nephrology
#40 Neonatology
#44 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#29 Orthopedics
#39 Pulmonology

Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
Location: Memphis, TN
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 8 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#13 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#32 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#45 Nephrology
#50 Neonatology
#35 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#34 Orthopedics
#46 Pulmonology
#24 Urology

Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
Location:  St. Petersburg, FL
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 8 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#41 Cancer
#33 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#39 Nephrology
#44 Neonatology
#27 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#50 Orthopedics
#47 Pulmonology
#46 Urology

UNC Children's Hospital
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 7 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#46 Cancer
#13 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#45 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#31 Nephrology
#32 Orthopedics
#22 Pulmonology
#35 Urology

Nicklaus Children's Hospital
Location: Miami, FL
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 5 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#46 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#49 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#23 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#36 Orthopedics
#35 Pulmonology

UVA Children's Hospital
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 5 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#37 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#40 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#49 Neonatology
#43 Orthopedics
#43 Urology

To find other children's hospitals in the Southeast and elsewhere, visit our U.S. Children's Hospitals resource page.

Monday, October 19, 2020

The 20 Best States for Physical Therapy Assistant Pay

There were about 97,000 physical therapy assistants (PTA) working in the U.S. as of May 2019 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  Physical therapy assistants work in varied healthcare settings, including offices of non-physician practitioners, hospitals, home health care agencies, skilled nursing facilities, and in physician offices.  With some advanced technical skills and training, PTA's generally earn modestly more money than workers in most occupations.  The BLS reported that, as of May 2019, the national mean wage for PTAs was $58,520 per year, a bit more than 9% above the $53,490 annual mean wage for all occupations in the U.S.  Per May 2019 BLS data, here were the 20 best states for physical therapy assistant pay:

New Jersey $69,480
Texas $68,680
California $66,150
Connecticut $65,510
Rhode Island $65,480
Massachusetts $64,310
Alaska $63,440
Florida $63,410
Nevada $62,100
Delaware $61,610
New Hampshire $61,520
North Carolina $61,500
Oregon $59,910
Washington $59,730
Kansas $59,570
Ohio $59,410
Virginia $59,340
Arkansas $59,180
Oklahoma $59,180
Illinois $59,130

So where does your state rank for physical therapy assistant pay?

Visit Physical Therapy Assistant Average Wages by State to find out how much PTAs earn in other states.

Friday, October 16, 2020

The Southwest's Best Children's Hospitals

In the most recent US News and World Report Children's Hospital Rankings for 2020-2021, there were 88 hospitals that earned a top 50 national ranking in at least one of ten pediatric specialties covered in the survey. Three hospitals in the Southwest earned a top 50 national ranking in all ten specialty areas of pediatric care. Here we take a quick look at these three Southwestern children's hospitals and how they fared in the national rankings overall, and in each of the ten pediatric specialty care areas:

The Southwest's Best Children's Hospitals

The Southwest's Best Children's Hospitals


Texas Children's Hospital
Location:  Houston
Top 10 National Ranking Overall?  YES (#4)
Top 50 Pediatric Specialty Rankings:  10 of 10
Cancer:    #4
Cardiology & Heart Surgery:    #1
Diabetes & Endocrinology:    #5
Gastroenterology & GI Surgery:   #4
Neonatology:    #10
Nephrology:    #2
Neurology & Neurosurgery:    #2
Orthopedics:    #15
Pulmonology & Lung Surgery:    #3
Urology:    #6

Children's Medical Center Dallas
Location:  Dallas
Top 10 National Ranking Overall?  NO
Top 50 Pediatric Specialty Rankings:  10 of 10
Cancer:    #19
Cardiology & Heart Surgery:    #9
Diabetes & Endocrinology:    #15
Gastroenterology & GI Surgery:   #7
Neonatology:    #36
Nephrology:    #20
Neurology & Neurosurgery:    #17
Orthopedics:    #5
Pulmonology & Lung Surgery:    #25
Urology:    #14

Phoenix Children's Hospital
Location:  Phoenix
Top 10 National Ranking Overall?  NO
Top 50 Pediatric Specialty Rankings:  10 of 10
Cancer:    #35
Cardiology & Heart Surgery:    #27
Diabetes & Endocrinology:    #39
Gastroenterology & GI Surgery:   #34
Neonatology:    #20
Nephrology:    #33
Neurology & Neurosurgery:    #29
Orthopedics:    #23
Pulmonology & Lung Surgery:    #37
Urology:    #45

To find other children's hospitals in the Southwest and elsewhere, visit our U.S. Children's Hospitals resource page.

Monday, October 12, 2020

New England's Top Ranked Children's Hospitals

According to the most recent US News and World Report Children's Hospital Rankings for 2020-2021, there were 88 hospitals that earned a top 50 national ranking in at least one of ten pediatric specialties covered in the survey. Four New England hospitals were among the select group of children's hospitals that earned such distinction, including the top rated children's hospital in the country. Here we take a quick look at these four New England institutions and how they fared in the national rankings:

New England's Top Ranked Children's Hospitals

New England's Top Ranked Children's Hospitals

Boston Children's Hospital
Location:  Boston
Top 10 National Ranking Overall?  YES (#1)
Top 50 Pediatric Specialty Rankings:  10 of 10
Cancer:    #2
Cardiology & Heart Surgery:    #4
Diabetes & Endocrinology:    #2
Gastroenterology & GI Surgery:   #2
Neonatology:    #6
Nephrology:    #1
Neurology & Neurosurgery:    #1
Orthopedics:    #2
Pulmonology & Lung Surgery:    #1
Urology:    #1

Yale New Haven Children's Hospital
Location:  New Haven, CT
Top 10 National Ranking Overall?  NO
Top 50 Pediatric Specialty Rankings:  7 of 10
Cancer:    #50
Diabetes & Endocrinology:   #6
Gastroenterology & GI Surgery:    #37
Neonatology:   #24
Nephrology:    #29
Neurology & Neurosurgery:    #45
Pulmonology & Lung Surgery:    #43

MassGeneral Hospital for Children
Location:  Boston
Top 10 National Ranking Overall?  NO
Top 50 Pediatric Specialty Rankings:  5 of 10
Diabetes & Endocrinology:    #28
Gastroenterology & GI Surgery:    #25
Neonatology:    #42
Pulmonology & Lung Surgery:    #23
Urology:    #47

Connecticut Children's Medical Center
Location:  Hartford, CT
Top 10 National Ranking Overall?  NO
Top 50 Pediatric Specialty Rankings:  4 of 10
Diabetes & Endocrinology:   #36
Gastroenterology & GI Surgery:    #48
Neonatology:    #42
Urology:    #39

To find other children's hospitals in New England and elsewhere, visit our U.S. Children's Hospitals resource page.

Thursday, October 8, 2020

The Best Cancer Care Hospitals in the Far West

Almost 900 hospitals were examined for their effectiveness and proficiency at providing cancer care to adult patients in the 20-21 U.S. News & World Report ratings of American hospitals,.  In the U.S. News study, hospitals were graded on various metrics related to adult cancer patient outcomes and experience, the scale and scope of their cancer care services, and the level of professional recognition they have garnered within the broader adult cancer care community.  Among the top 50 ranked U.S. hospitals for adult cancer care in 20-21, nine are based in the Far West region of the country, including three of the top 10 highest rated adult cancer care hospitals in the nation. Moreover, with nine hospitals making the list, only one other region of the country, the five state Mid-East region, had more top 50 adult cancer care hospitals than did the Far West. Here's a brief look at these nine Far West region medical institutions and where they rank nationally for adult cancer care:

The Best Cancer Care Hospitals in the Far West
The Best Cancer Care Hospitals in the Far West

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Location:  Los Angeles 
National Rank in Adult Cancer Care:  #7

Location:  Seattle, WA
National Rank in Adult Cancer Care:  #9

UCSF Medical Center
Location:  San Francisco
National Rank in Adult Cancer Care:  #10

UCLA Medical Center
Location:  Los Angeles
National Rank in Adult Cancer Care:  #13

Location:  Duarte, CA
National Rank in Adult Cancer Care:  #15 (tie)

Stanford Hospital
Location:  Stanford, CA
National Rank in Adult Cancer Care:  #21 (tie)

Keck Hospital of USC
Location:  Los Angeles
National Rank in Adult Cancer Care:  #26

Location: Sacramento, CA
National Rank in Adult Cancer Care:  #36

Location: San Diego
National Rank in Adult Cancer Care:  #47

For a deeper dive into the metrics used to score adult cancer care hospitals in the 20-21 U.S. News survey, or to find the cancer care rating of other Far West region hospitals, visit Best Hospitals for Adult Cancer Care

Sunday, October 4, 2020

The Top Cardiology Care Hospitals in New England

In the most recent (20-21) U.S. News & World Report rankings of American hospitals, just under 600 hospitals were evaluated for their proficiency and effectiveness in delivering adult cardiology care to patients.  In this study, hospitals were graded on various metrics related to their patient experience and outcomes, the size of their adult cardiology programs, and the level of distinction earned by these hospitals among professionals in the adult cardiology care community.  Among the top 50 rated U.S. hospitals for adult cardiology care in 20-21, only two were based in New England.  That said, both were rated in the top 10 nationally, making New England one of only four regions of the country with at least two hospitals rated in the top 10 nationally for adult cardiology care.  These two New England medical institutions, and where they rank nationally for adult cardiology care, were:


The Top Cardiology Care Hospitals in New England

The Top Cardiology Care Hospitals in New England

Massachusetts General Hospital
Location:  Boston
National Rank in Adult Cardiology Care and Heart Surgery:  #5

Brigham and Women's Hospital
Location:  Boston
National Rank in Adult Cardiology Care and Heart Surgery:  #7 (tie)

For a closer look at the metrics used to grade adult cardiology and heart surgery hospitals in the 20-21 U.S. News survey, or to find the cardiology care rating of other New England region hospitals, visit Best Hospitals for Adult Cardiology Care and Heart Surgery.