Hospital Compare
5-star hospitals reduce death rates 2-3x.
Free comparison tools
- Medicare Care Compare — medicare.gov/care-compare. Star ratings.
- Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade — A-F grades. hospitalsafetygrade.org.
- US News Best Hospitals — annual rankings.
- Healthgrades — patient experiences.
- Hospital Compare ratings — readmission, mortality.
- All FREE.
What to check
- Star rating overall.
- Mortality rates (lower better).
- Readmission rates (lower better).
- Hospital-acquired infections.
- Patient experience ratings.
- For specific procedure — surgical volume + outcomes.
- Magnet status (nursing excellence).
Specialty hospitals
- For elective surgery — research SPECIALIST hospitals.
- Hip / knee replacement: orthopedic specialty centers.
- Cardiac surgery: high-volume cardiac centers.
- Cancer: NCI-designated cancer centers.
- Higher volume = better outcomes.
- Travel for surgery worth it sometimes.
Worst hospitals to avoid
- 1-star Medicare ratings.
- D or F Leapfrog grades.
- High readmission rates.
- High infection rates.
- If only option — hire patient advocate.
- Or transfer if non-emergency.
In-network matters
- Verify with insurance BEFORE elective surgery.
- In-network = lower cost.
- Out-of-network surprise bills $$ (now mostly illegal but happens).
- Anesthesiologists + radiologists separately billed.
- Check ALL providers in-network, not just hospital.
- Get cost estimate in writing.
Patient advocate
If complex surgery — hire patient advocate ($75-200/hr). Nurses or social workers who navigate hospital. Patient Advocate Foundation — patientadvocate.org. Free for some. Insurance company should provide. Family member can ALSO be advocate — be present, ask questions.