U.S. News Names 911 Top Ambulatory Surgery Centers in 2026, Expanding Orthopedic Coverage — U.S. News & World Report, L.P.

Event summary

U.S. News & World Report named 911 (21%) of 4,421 evaluated ASCs as 'Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers' for 2026.
First inclusion of shoulder replacements in Orthopedics & Spine ratings reflects outpatient care expansion.
Top-rated ASCs showed 26-40% fewer complications across specialties vs. non-rated centers.
California (105) and Texas (59) lead in number of top-rated ASCs, with New York metro area (52) topping city rankings.

The big picture

The 2026 ASC ratings highlight the accelerating shift of surgical care from hospitals to outpatient settings, with U.S. News formalizing standards for a rapidly evolving segment. The 21% distinction rate suggests significant variation in quality, while the geographic concentration points to infrastructure advantages in major healthcare markets. This year's expansion into shoulder replacements underscores both clinical and cost pressures driving outpatient specialization.

What we're watching

Outpatient Expansion: How the inclusion of shoulder replacements signals broader adoption of complex outpatient procedures.
Regional Concentration: Whether states with high ASC density will maintain leadership as outpatient care grows.
Data Reliance: The pace at which data-driven evaluations reshape patient selection of surgical facilities.