2026 Top 20 Rural and Community Hospitals announced

NRHA has announced the 20 highest-ranked prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals in the country based on an evaluation by the Chartis Center for Rural Health.

The hospitals are identified using the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX™, the most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural PPS hospital performance.

These hospitals will be recognized May 21 during NRHA’s 49th Annual Rural Health Conference in San Diego, Calif.

The determining factors for the top 20 rural and community hospitals are based on eight indices: inpatient market share, outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspective, cost, charge, and finance.

“NRHA is committed to ensuring our members have the best information to manage their hospitals,” says Brock Slabach, NRHA chief operations officer. “We’re pleased to recognize the accomplishments of these rural and community hospitals.”

View NRHA's press release for the full list of top 20 rural and community hospitals in 2026.