U.S. News & World Report released its 2026 Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers ratings on March 17, 2026. The organization evaluated 4,421 ambulatory surgery centers across the United States. It designated 911 centers as Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers, representing about 21% of those reviewed.
The ratings focus on four specialties: Colonoscopy & Endoscopy, Orthopedics & Spine, Urology, and Ophthalmology. U.S. News built the assessments on objective patient outcomes data. These include:
- Complication rates
- Unplanned hospital admissions after procedures
- Emergency department visits following surgery
The methodology emphasizes clinical performance and safety records from Medicare claims and other verifiable sources.
This marks the third edition of the Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers ratings. U.S. News announced the upcoming release in February 2026 and allowed ASC operators to review preliminary data starting February 19, 2026. The organization increased the number of high-performing facilities compared to prior years to reflect improvements in data availability and the shift of more procedures to outpatient settings.
Ambulatory surgery centers handle millions of procedures annually without requiring overnight hospital stays. Common services include:
- Cataract surgery and joint injections
- Colonoscopies
- Minor orthopedic repairs
Patients benefit from lower costs compared to hospital-based surgery and faster recovery times. These facilities now perform a growing share of elective procedures due to advances in anesthesia, surgical techniques, and monitoring equipment.
The 2026 ratings highlight strong performance in specific regions and states. California leads with 105 Best ASCs. Florida follows with 81. Maryland has 48, Georgia has 40, and New Jersey has 40. Among major metropolitan areas, New York City tops the list with 52 Best ASCs. Los Angeles has 34, Atlanta has 28, and Baltimore has 24. These concentrations show where access to high-quality outpatient surgical care remains robust.
Individual centers earned recognition based on consistent low rates of adverse events. High-performing ASCs demonstrate:
- Fewer transfers to hospitals post-procedure
- Reduced infection risks
- Better management of patient recovery
The ratings exclude centers with insufficient data or those failing to meet minimum volume thresholds for the evaluated specialties.
The release comes amid ongoing scrutiny of healthcare quality and cost transparency. Federal policies under recent administrations have encouraged shifts from inpatient to outpatient care to reduce overall expenses. President Trump’s prior focus on lowering drug prices and promoting competition in healthcare aligned with efforts to expand access to efficient providers like ASCs. These centers often deliver comparable or superior outcomes at lower costs, supporting patient choice and system efficiency without compromising safety.
U.S. News maintains independence in its evaluations. The ratings rely on publicly reported data and risk-adjusted metrics to avoid bias. Centers cannot pay for inclusion. The organization publishes full lists on its website, allowing patients to search by location, specialty, and performance tier.
The expansion to more recognized facilities in 2026 reflects better nationwide data collection on outpatient outcomes. Medicare and private insurers track ASC performance more closely now, providing clearer benchmarks. This transparency helps expose underperforming providers and rewards those maintaining strict protocols.
Patients scheduled for procedures in these specialties should check the U.S. News ratings before selecting a facility. High-performing centers reduce risks of complications that could lead to hospital readmissions or prolonged recovery. The ratings serve as a tool to hold the industry accountable and drive continuous improvement.
Some ASC operators, including multi-center groups like AMSURG and hospital-affiliated networks, had multiple locations recognized in past editions and likely continue to show strength. Specific top-ranked centers vary by state and specialty, but the overall pattern points to excellence in states with high procedure volumes and competitive markets.
The 2026 release reinforces that quality outpatient surgery remains available across diverse regions. It exposes gaps where fewer high-performing centers exist, pushing policymakers and providers to address disparities in access.
U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers ratings expose the strongest performers in outpatient care and demand accountability from every facility handling same-day procedures.
