The US has 6,093 hospitals in 2025, including over 5,100 community hospitals, 2,900 not-for-profit, 1,200 for-profit, 920 local government, and more than 600 psychiatric and specialty institutions. Every hospital operates within a unique blend of public funding, private insurance, government programs (Medicare/Medicaid), and direct self-pay. Most major cities and regions have both world-leading teaching hospitals and high-volume, community-focused systems.
Hospitals are organized into health systems—some local, some nationwide—offering coordinated care, cutting-edge research, and specialty excellence. Learn to compare, prepare, and plan:
US Hospital System: Structure and Types
1. Community Hospitals
- Nonfederal, short-term general, or specialty hospitals accessible to the public and forming the backbone of US healthcare.
- Services: Emergency care, common surgeries, primary/secondary care, obstetrics, general pediatrics, and some specialty lines.
- Not-for-profit or for-profit, often networked into local or regional systems.
2. Major National Health Systems
- HCA Healthcare (222 hospitals), Universal Health Services (187), Encompass Health (172), CommonSpirit Health (156), Department of Veterans Affairs (161).
- Offer broad geographic coverage, from basic community care to advanced academic medicine, trauma, rehab, and long-term recovery.
- Veterans Affairs (VA) is a parallel national system for military veterans.
3. Academic & Teaching Hospitals
- Leading medical schools’ hospitals (e.g., Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins, Massachusetts General, UCLA Health).
- Centers for complex surgery, advanced diagnostics, research trials, rare diseases, and global medical training.
- Tertiary/quaternary care, transplant programs, and robust ICU/trauma.
4. Specialty Hospitals
- Dedicated to orthopedics, heart/vascular, cancer, OB/GYN, children, or psychiatric/rehab care.
- Most urban areas have at least one nationally ranked specialty facility, often embedded within large systems.
5. Private/For-Profit and Faith-Based Hospitals
- Private hospitals and clinics offer elective surgery, personalized care, and direct-pay or cash-discounted options (great for self-pay, urgent/expat/medical travelers).
- Catholic, Jewish, and other religious-affiliated systems (e.g., Ascension, CommonSpirit, AdventHealth) play major roles, particularly in the Midwest and South.
The Patient Journey: Navigating US Hospital Care
1. Scheduling and Access
- ER/Immediate Need: Anyone can walk into any hospital ER; stabilization is required by law (EMTALA)—no insurance needed for emergencies.
- Planned Admissions & Surgery: Usually require physician referral, insurance pre-authorization, and appointment.
- Direct Self-Pay/Elective: Private hospitals and some academic centers allow rapid self-pay admissions for elective surgery or procedures.
2. Primary Care and Referral
- Primary care physicians/urgent care handle initial diagnosis and referrals to specialists or hospitals.
- Integrated systems and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) use digital records to coordinate your journey from office to hospital to aftercare.
3. Insurance & Payment
- Coverage types: employer, individual ACA, Medicare (65+), Medicaid (low-income), VA, or no insurance/self-pay.
- Every patient should check in-network status for planned surgeries; hospitals offer pre-visit financial counseling, “good faith” estimates, and financial aid.
4. Digital Experience
- Most hospitals and systems offer patient portals (MyChart, Epic, etc.): digital check-ins, test results, digital imaging, telehealth, billing, medication management.
- AI-driven triage, virtual care, e-consult, and remote monitoring are expanding rapidly.
Major Hospital Systems and Flagship Facilities
| Health System / Hospital | Region(s) | Notable Facilities | Core Specialties / Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| HCA Healthcare | Nationwide | Parkridge, Centennial, many | Large multi-state network, all specialties |
| Mayo Clinic | Rochester, FL, AZ | Mayo Clinic flagship centers | Top-rated, research, cardiac/cancer/transplant |
| Cleveland Clinic | OH, FL, NV, UAE | Cleveland Clinic, Weston FL | Cardiac, neuro, ortho, international programs |
| Johns Hopkins Medicine | MD, DC, FL | JH Hospital, APL | Surgery, trauma, research, world referrals |
| CommonSpirit Health | West, Midwest, TX | Dignity Health, CHI | Catholic, large community/urban reach |
| Kaiser Permanente | CA, CO, NW, DC | Regional Medical Centers | Integrated insurance-delivery, digital forward |
| Ascension | Midwest, South | Baptist, Seton, others | Catholic, broad mission, primary to quaternary |
| Mass General Brigham | Boston, NE | MGH, Brigham, Dana-Farber | Oncology, research, neuro, maternal |
| NY Presbyterian/Weill Cornell | NYC | NYP/Cornell, Columbia | Urban, teaching, acute and elective |
| Children’s Hospitals of America | All regions | CHOP, Texas Children’s, etc. | World’s best pediatric care, trauma, NICU |
| VA Hospitals / DoD | Nationwide | VA, Walter Reed, Brooke AMC | Military, veteran, trauma, PT/rehab, neuro |
Real Patient Stories
- “After a trauma in rural Texas, the helicopter brought me to a level I trauma center—every detail, from stent to ICU to rehab, was coordinated.”
- “We researched top children’s hospitals for rare epilepsy; MyHospitalNow rankings confirmed our choice, and the team at Boston Children’s changed our son’s life.”
- “As an expat, using cash pay at a Houston private surgical center meant zero wait for hernia repair—MyHospitalNow’s checklist saved me money and paperwork headaches.”
- “Navigating oncology from community hospital to Mayo to research trial was seamless—digital records and patient messaging made the process reassuring.”
Planning Checklist for US Hospital Visits
- ☐ Insurance card/certificate or means of self-pay; know your deductible, co-pay, out-of-pocket max
- ☐ Referral, pre-op evaluation, and test records (for planned care)
- ☐ List of allergies, current medications, and key medical history documents
- ☐ Emergency contact info and advance directive (if appropriate)
- ☐ Download/access hospital’s digital patient portal or MyHospitalNow checklists for tracking appointments and test results
- ☐ Arrange interpreter, disability, or social work support as needed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hospital care available to everyone?
Yes, ER stabilization is required for all. Ongoing or elective care may require insurance or financial arrangements.
Are private and public hospital care different?
Private facilities may offer shorter waits, extra amenities, and more self-pay flexibility. Both are regulated; major public and non-profit hospitals have outstanding specialty programs.
What about digital health?
All major systems provide digital portals for records, scheduling, and communication; AI and telehealth are rapidly expanding.
Can expats or non-residents use US hospitals?
Absolutely, with payment or traveler insurance. Many facilities specialize in international patients.
How do I pick the right hospital?
Use Hospitals in United States category to compare location, specialties, ratings, and user reviews.
Using MyHospitalNow for US Hospital Research
- Visit Hospitals in United States category for in-depth comparisons, cost info, patient reviews, and digital tools.
- Download printable prep and surgical guides, access expert articles, and connect to support resources pre- and post-stay.
- Use filters for specialty, network, city, insurance acceptance, patient comfort, or digital offerings.
Begin Your USA Hospital Journey
Whether planning major elective surgery, seeking the fastest ER, arranging advanced cancer care, or just comparing options as an expat, the US hospital system offers unrivaled breadth, technology, and expert teams. MyHospitalNow provides the roadmap to clarity, savings, and informed decisions.
- Start at the homepage
- See the full national directory and insider tips at the Hospitals in United States category
Empower your health—choose, compare, and thrive in America’s vast hospital network with MyHospitalNow as your personal guide.