U.S. News to Rank Home Health Agencies, Filling Transparency Gap

NEW YORK, NY – November 03, 2025 – U.S. News & World Report announced today it will launch “Best Home Health,” a new ratings system for home health agencies, set to debut in the first quarter of 2026. The move expands the media company's existing suite of healthcare rankings, which already includes hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers, and comes as the demand for in-home care continues to surge.

The Growing Need for Home Health Transparency

The home healthcare market is experiencing significant growth, driven by an aging population, increasing rates of chronic disease, and a growing preference for receiving care in the comfort of one’s home. Valued at approximately $162.35 billion in 2024, the market is projected to reach $381.40 billion by 2033, representing a compound annual growth rate of 10.00%. This expansion, however, has also created a need for greater transparency and quality assessment, a gap U.S. News aims to fill.

“Patients and families are often left navigating a complex landscape when choosing a home health agency,” says one industry analyst. “They’re making critical decisions with limited information, relying heavily on word-of-mouth or physician recommendations. A standardized, data-driven ranking system could be invaluable.”

The current system relies heavily on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Home Health Quality Reporting Program, which already collects data on agency performance. U.S. News & World Report will leverage this data – including measures related to patient outcomes, processes of care, and patient satisfaction – to create its rankings.

Methodology and Competitive Landscape

The core of the “Best Home Health” rankings will be based on data from CMS, specifically focusing on the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) and data from the Home Health Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HHCAHPS) survey. This approach aligns with existing quality reporting initiatives but promises to distill the information into a more accessible format for consumers.

While CMS already provides star ratings for home health agencies on its Care Compare website, U.S. News believes its ranking system will offer a more comprehensive and user-friendly experience. “Consumers often find the CMS data overwhelming and difficult to interpret,” explains one healthcare consultant. “U.S. News has a proven track record of presenting complex information in a clear and concise manner.”

The launch of “Best Home Health” also positions U.S. News & World Report as a key player in the increasingly competitive market for healthcare rankings. While other organizations like Leapfrog Group primarily focus on hospitals, U.S. News is uniquely positioned to offer a comprehensive suite of rankings across various healthcare settings.

Impact on Agencies and the Future of Home Health

The introduction of a new ranking system is likely to have a significant impact on home health agencies, potentially influencing marketing efforts, patient acquisition strategies, and even reimbursement rates. Agencies that consistently achieve high scores are likely to attract more patients and may be able to negotiate better contracts with insurance providers.

“The pressure to perform well in these rankings will undoubtedly drive agencies to invest in quality improvement initiatives,” says one home health administrator. “We’ll be focusing on enhancing patient safety, improving communication, and ensuring that our staff is properly trained and equipped.”

However, some industry experts caution that the focus on rankings could also lead to unintended consequences. “There’s a risk that agencies will prioritize metrics that improve their score over holistic, patient-centered care,” warns one healthcare policy analyst. “It’s important that the ranking system is designed to incentivize quality, not just compliance.”

The launch of “Best Home Health” comes at a critical time for the home healthcare industry. As the demand for in-home care continues to grow, it is more important than ever to ensure that patients have access to high-quality, reliable services. U.S. News & World Report’s new ranking system has the potential to play a significant role in achieving that goal by providing patients and families with the information they need to make informed decisions. The ratings, anticipated to be updated annually, could also become a benchmark for the industry, driving innovation and improving the overall quality of care delivered in the home.