Data Defines Distinction: How Top New England Physician Groups Are Raising the Bar

CANTON, MA – January 06, 2026 – In an ongoing effort to promote clinical excellence and provide patients with transparent quality metrics, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care has recognized 34 physician groups across Massachusetts and New Hampshire in its 24th annual Physician Group Honor Roll. The announcement highlights groups that have demonstrated exceptional performance in patient care, with seven practices earning the special “With Distinction” status for ranking among the nation’s elite.

The annual list, released by the Point32Health company, serves as both a commendation for providers and a critical tool for health plan members navigating the complex landscape of healthcare choices. It signals a deeper industry trend where objective data is increasingly becoming the benchmark for defining and rewarding high-quality medical care.

The Anatomy of Excellence: Inside the HEDIS Standards

At the heart of the Honor Roll selection process is a rigorous, data-driven methodology based on national standards. The physician groups were evaluated on their 2024 clinical performance as measured by the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®), a comprehensive tool developed and maintained by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). As the most widely used performance measurement tool in healthcare, HEDIS allows for apples-to-apples comparisons of clinical quality across the country.

Harvard Pilgrim assessed performance across three critical domains of care for both adult and pediatric patients: preventive, acute, and chronic. The evaluation was based on 18 specific HEDIS measures that reflect everyday health challenges and long-term wellness goals. These include metrics such as ensuring appropriate treatment for children with upper respiratory infections, providing comprehensive care for patients with diabetes, and conducting timely breast cancer screenings. This focus ensures that honored practices excel not just in one area, but in delivering well-rounded, proactive healthcare.

Achieving a place on the Honor Roll is a significant accomplishment, but earning the “With Distinction” status places a practice in a truly elite category. These seven groups surpassed the NCQA’s national 90th percentile on the selected measures, meaning their clinical performance ranks in the top 10 percent of physician groups nationwide. This is a testament to their systematic approach to patient health, from proactive preventive outreach to meticulous management of complex chronic conditions.

“We are proud to continue the longstanding tradition of highlighting clinical excellence of physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants for their exceptional performance on key quality measures,” said Dr. Raj Hazarika, Point32Health's Chief Medical Officer for Commercial Products. “These high-performing clinical results and achievements reflect their commitment to disease prevention and the treatment of acute and chronic illness for both adult and pediatric patients. We are honored to acknowledge these health care professionals for their outstanding work.”

Empowering Patients with Data-Driven Choice

Beyond celebrating provider achievement, the Honor Roll is designed to directly empower patients. In an era where consumers have access to more information than ever, healthcare decisions can remain opaque and confusing. By publicly recognizing these top-performing groups, Harvard Pilgrim provides its nearly 2 million members with a clear, data-backed compass to guide their provider selection.

The honored physician groups are prominently noted in Harvard Pilgrim’s printed and online provider directories, allowing members to easily identify practices that have met these stringent quality standards. This transparency is a cornerstone of the modern, value-based healthcare model, which prioritizes patient outcomes and quality over the sheer volume of services provided. When patients can select providers based on proven performance, it creates a virtuous cycle, incentivizing all practices within the network to strive for continuous improvement.

This initiative reflects a broader industry shift. Major health insurers across the nation are implementing similar recognition and incentive programs, leveraging standardized data to foster a competitive environment centered on quality. These programs help bridge the information gap for consumers and align the goals of patients, providers, and payers toward a common objective: better health outcomes at an affordable cost.

A Regional Spotlight on Top-Tier Medical Groups

The 2026 Honor Roll showcases a diverse array of high-performing practices across New England, a region already known for its high concentration of quality medical institutions. The seven practices achieving the coveted “With Distinction” status are all located in Massachusetts: Atrius Health, Chelmsford; Atrius Health, Concord; Atrius Health, Copley; Atrius Health, Norwood; Atrius Health, Plymouth/Bourne; Atrius Health, Somerville; and Atrius Health, Watertown.

The full list of 34 honorees includes a wide spectrum of healthcare providers, from large multi-specialty organizations like Atrius Health, Lahey Clinic, and Reliant Medical Group to more specialized groups like the Pediatric Physicians' Organization at Children's. The recognition spans urban centers and smaller communities, with practices honored in Boston, Worcester, and Cambridge in Massachusetts, as well as Manchester, Exeter, and Claremont in New Hampshire.

Other Massachusetts practices named to the Honor Roll include Acton Medical Associates, Affiliated Pediatric Practices, Mount Auburn Cambridge IPA, Newton Wellesley Health System, and South Shore Medical Center, among others. In New Hampshire, CORE Physicians and The Physician Practices at Valley Regional join CMC Physician Practice Associates on the prestigious list. This geographic and organizational diversity demonstrates that clinical excellence is achievable in various practice settings, underscoring the universal applicability of the quality standards being measured.

For these communities, the presence of an Honor Roll practice signifies access to care that is not only competent but is actively measured against and exceeds national benchmarks for effectiveness. It highlights a commitment to evidence-based medicine and a patient-centered philosophy that is increasingly defining the future of primary and specialty care.