Forbes Gives Excellent 5-Star Ratings To Just 12 Minnesota Hospitals

There are several important variables to consider when choosing a healthcare provider. These include Insurance coverage, location, provider qualifications (experience, board certification), communication style, patient reviews, office logistics (hours, technology), hospital affiliations, and your personal health needs.

Ultimately, after balancing cost, convenience, and quality of care, you want the best facility with the best people providing care for you and your family.

Just ahead of the new year, the Forbes Top Hospitals 2026 list was published, which can be a great resource to include when deciding on a health care provider. In Minnesota, 12 hospitals earned their highest five-star rating.

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Finding The Best Hospitals In America

The Forbes Top Hospitals 2026 is a new tool that was curated through extensive research and analysis. Fobes says it's designed to provide consumers with unbiased information to help them choose the best hospitals for their healthcare needs.

Forbes focused the ratings on “general acute care hospitals.” These are facilities offering a wide range of services for urgent and short-term medical needs, including the management of emergencies and injuries (such as broken bones and burns), serious conditions (such as heart attack, stroke, pneumonia, and diabetes), surgical care (including appendectomy, knee, and hip replacement), and childbirth.

To develop its rating system, Forbes enlisted healthcare measurement experts, including an advisory panel comprised of clinicians, scientists, health policy researchers, and patient advocates. They also partnered with Inovalon, a healthcare data and analytics firm, to calculate the ratings.

12 Minnesota Hospitals Earn A Forbes 5-Star Rating

Below, in alphabetical order, are the 12 Minnesota hospitals that earned the highest rating at the start of 2026.

Forbes notes that its Top Hospitals ratings are not medical advice, but they can assist people in learning about different providers. However, the ultimate choice for care should be made by the patient or their loved ones in consultation with their medical provider.

Buffalo Hospital in Buffalo, Minnesota

Essentia Health St. Mary's - Detroit Lakes

Essentia Health - St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd

Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Falls

M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina

M Health Fairview St. John's Hospital in Maplewood

Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea

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Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont

Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

Olmsted Medical Center in Rochester

Sandford Worthington Medical Center in Sanford

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