News Summary
The U.S. News and World Report has unveiled its rankings for the best hospitals in the Kansas City area for 2025, recognizing 504 hospitals across the nation. Among the highlighted institutions, the University of Kansas Hospital emerged as the leading hospital in Kansas, while Barnes-Jewish Hospital secured the top rank in Missouri. Notably, KU Med has maintained its prestigious position as the top hospital in the Kansas City metropolitan area for 16 years. The report emphasizes critical performance metrics that guide patients in choosing the best healthcare facilities.
Kansas City – The U.S. News and World Report has released its rankings for the best hospitals in the Kansas City region for 2025, recognizing a total of 504 hospitals nationwide as top regional facilities out of approximately 2,000 eligible institutions. The evaluation focused solely on general hospitals, excluding children’s hospitals and specialized cancer centers, and did not rank Veterans Affairs or military hospitals.
In Missouri, a total of 11 hospitals received recognition, with Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis achieving the highest ranking. Meanwhile, the University of Kansas Hospital, located in Kansas City, was named the top regional hospital in Kansas, surpassing the Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka.
The U.S. News evaluations are based on various performance metrics, including medical specialties, patient experience, survival rates, and staffing levels. Rankings are determined by the number of specialties in which a hospital excels, offering potential patients crucial insights into the best care options available.
For 16 consecutive years, KU Med has maintained its status as the top hospital in the Kansas City metropolitan area. It is also recognized nationally, ranking within the top 50 in seven adult specialties and placing in the top 1% in over 20 categories, among them heart attack and lung cancer surgery.
Additional Kansas City hospitals have also shown notable performance. North Kansas City Hospital ranked in the top 10% for 15 procedures and conditions, including pacemaker implantation and kidney failure. Similarly, Lee’s Summit hospital achieved top 10% rankings in 12 conditions like stroke care and knee replacements. Merriam Hospital was recognized as high performing in 12 procedures, covering areas such as colon cancer surgery and maternity care.
Wesley Healthcare in Wichita followed as a strong competitor, ranking fourth among Kansas hospitals. The University of Kansas Hospital also made significant national rankings, standing at 50th for cancer care and 33rd for cardiology and vascular surgery. Wesley Medical Center has demonstrated high performance in areas like back surgery, heart attack management, and stroke treatment.
Despite the recognition for certain hospitals, the Kansas Hospital Association reported that 67% of hospitals in the state are currently operating at a loss. This financial strain comes amidst major shifts in Medicaid eligibility, following new government healthcare regulations that could significantly impact patients at University Health.
Compounding the challenges faced by healthcare providers, Advent Health Shawnee Mission Hospital has initiated a lawsuit against Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City over claims related to processing and payment withholding. The lawsuit contends that over $2 million in payments have been unjustly denied based on an AI-driven assessment of medical diagnoses, raising concerns about the implications of artificial intelligence in patient care.
The technology at the center of this lawsuit, Apixio, employs algorithms to analyze healthcare claims, sometimes overriding decisions made by medical professionals. The growing reliance on AI in the healthcare sector has generated apprehensions among regulators and advocacy groups regarding its potential impact on patient access to care and coverage denials.
For individuals seeking more detailed performance information about hospitals, the Medicare website offers a care comparison tool. Additionally, the Leapfrog Group provides grades that assess hospitals on their efforts to prevent medical errors, further assisting patients in making informed decisions regarding their healthcare options.
As healthcare continues to evolve, the rankings offer critical insights into the quality of care provided by hospitals in the Kansas City region, highlighting facilities that excel in various specialties and care standards.
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Additional Resources
- MSN – Best Hospitals in Kansas City 2025
- Wikipedia: Hospital
- Kansas.com – Local Health News
- Google Search: 2025 Kansas City hospitals
- KLC Journal – Medicaid Cuts and Kansas Hospitals
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Health Care
- Kansas City Star – Health Care News
- Google Scholar: Medicaid Kansas hospital
- KCTV5 – Kansas City Hospitals Changes
- Google News: Kansas City Hospitals
Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER
The KANSAS CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKansasCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Kansas City, Jackson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Dia De Los Muertos, and Planet Anime Kansas City. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Children's Mercy Hospital, Government Employees Health Association, and AMC Entertainment. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREStLouis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Missouri's dynamic landscape.
