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U.S. News & World Report Announces 2026 Best Nursing Homes Ratings

U.S. News & World Report released its 2026 Best Nursing Homes ratings on Nov. 13, 2025, evaluating nearly 15,000 U.S. nursing homes and recognizing fewer than 19% as Best Nursing Homes.
Using CMS data, the ratings now capture 17 quality measures for both Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care, with Harder stating `This year's Best Nursing Homes ratings are the most comprehensive yet, with a significantly expanded portfolio of performance measures that offer families an even more holistic assessment of quality for both short-term rehab and long-term care.`
Measured differences include staffing, hospitalizations and therapy levels, with top-rated nursing homes reporting a 15% lower hospitalization rate for long-term residents and 20% more staffing per resident, according to U.S. News.
Families and providers use the ratings to compare care, as the Best Nursing Homes annual analysis helps families choose short-term rehabilitation or long-term residency by highlighting measurable care differences.
The ratings highlight regional concentration across 20 metros, where the 20 metropolitan areas with the most Best Nursing Homes offer families a local comparison, and U.S. News & World Report may influence policymakers as observers warn the methodology change could reshuffle qualifying facilities.

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