Most of us don’t think about which hospital we’d go to—until we have to. But if you’re an older adult managing a chronic condition or an adult child helping a parent navigate their health, making this decision before a crisis hits can make all the difference.
There’s a tool that can help—and most people don’t know it exists.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)—a federal agency—rates hospitals across the country so patients and families can compare them and make informed decisions. It’s free, it’s official, and it’s surprisingly easy to use.
Compare hospitals near you on CMS Care Compare
What to look for when comparing hospitals
Here’s how to read these ratings like a patient advocate would:
- Ratings are a snapshot, not the full picture. Stars are helpful, but dig into the specific categories — Overall Rating, Patient Survey Results, Emergency Services, and Hospital Type — and focus on what matters most to your situation.
- Psychiatric hospitals often aren’t rated. If mental health care is a consideration for you or your loved one, know that this tool may have limited information.
- Planning a surgery? Start with your surgeon. Find out which hospitals your surgeon has admitting privileges at, then compare those hospitals against each other using this tool.
- Location matters more in emergencies. If there’s a trauma emergency, an ambulance will typically go to the nearest appropriate hospital — you may not have a choice in that moment. But for many situations, you often do have a say in where you’re taken, as long as the hospital is a reasonable distance away. Know your options ahead of time.
The bottom line
CMS Care Compare is an underused tool in healthcare — and it is valuable. Take 10 minutes to look up the hospitals near you or near your aging parent. You’ll feel more prepared, and preparation is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself or someone you love.
Care Answered is a patient advocacy service dedicated to helping older adults and their families navigate the healthcare system with confidence. We’re here to get healthcare DONE.