Both Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital are leading medical institutions with strengths in various areas. Massachusetts General Hospital stands out for its extensive research programs and detailed wait time information. Northwestern Memorial Hospital excels in patient experience ratings and community benefits. The choice between them depends on individual needs and priorities.
| Attribute | Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago, IL) | Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA) |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital Ranking (US News & World Report) | #1 (tie) in Illinois and the Chicago metropolitan area for 2025-2026; Ranked 11th overall in the U.S. | #1 hospital in Massachusetts, consistently among the top hospitals since 1990 |
| Specialty Services Offered | Nationally ranked in 11 clinical specialties; Top 10 specialties include: Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery; Diabetes & Endocrinology; Gastroenterology & GI Surgery; Geriatrics; Neurology & Neurosurgery; Obstetrics & Gynecology; Pulmonology & Lung Surgery; and Urology | Addiction Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery, Cancer Treatment, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Gastroenterology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Orthopedics, Psychiatry, Diabetes Clinical Center, Geriatric Medicine, Hemophilia and Thrombosis Treatment Center, Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) Center, Pediatric Orthopaedics, Prime Care, Weight Center, Women's Health Associates, and care in virtually every specialty and subspecialty of medicine and surgery. |
| Patient Satisfaction Scores | Patients would definitely recommend this hospital 14% higher than the state average; 70% gave a "superior" overall rating; 81% Patient Experience Rating, which is 15% higher than the national average. | 86% of patients gave a 'superior' overall rating. |
| Technology and Equipment Available | Continuously advances its technology and equipment; Utilizes RFID technology for inventory management, which has reduced expired product costs; Offers state-of-the-art facilities with leading-edge treatment options. | At the forefront of medical breakthroughs and technological advancements, with advanced research facilities. |
| Research and Innovation Programs | Partners with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; Conducts more than 4,500 clinical trials and studies each year; Research awards for Feinberg totaled $534 million in fiscal year 2019 | World's largest hospital-based research program, with an annual research budget exceeding $1.2 billion in 2021, research is integrated with clinical care |
| Physician Expertise and Credentials | More than 1,900 physicians on staff, who also have faculty appointments with Feinberg School of Medicine; Magnet designation demonstrates stringent, evidence-based standards of nursing excellence in patient care. | Teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, plays a role in training the next generation of healthcare professionals, attracts top scientists and physicians. |
| Hospital Affiliations and Partnerships | Flagship campus for Northwestern Medicine and primary teaching hospital for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; Affiliated with Lurie Children's Hospital and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab; Partnerships with organizations like CommunityHealth; Partnership with Franciscan Health on neurological services. | Founding member of Mass General Brigham, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, works with various hospitals throughout the region, partnerships with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Project Pinball Charity, Emory Healthcare, and more. |
| Accessibility and Location | Located on Northwestern University's Chicago campus in Streeterville, Chicago, Illinois; Offers various departments and services across multiple pavilions; Public transit access via bus interchange CTA. | Located at 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, accessible via public transportation (MBTA Red Line - Charles/MGH Station) and car, wheelchairs are available at main entrances, most buildings on the main campus are connected via hallways, committed to making facilities and services accessible to all, including accessible restrooms, telephones, and ATMs. |
| Insurance Coverage Accepted | Participates in a variety of insurance plans and is considered an "in-network" provider for many insurers; Accepts Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Anthem, and Blue Choice Preferred PPOSM plans; Also accepts Medicare Advantage HMO plans and BlueCross Community Options Health Plan; Participates in traditional Medicare and Medicaid, as well as Family Health Plans (FHP), Integrated Care Plans (ICP) and Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI) plans. | Accepts most health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Check with your insurance provider for coverage specifics. |
| Average Wait Times | ER wait times can be lengthy, with some patients reporting waits of 10 hours or more. | Emergency Department to hospital admission: 0 hours and 45 minutes, average ER wait time is 5.2 hours, lab tests: 1 to 2 hours for results, X-rays: 1 to 2 hours for results, CAT scans: 4 to 6 hours for results, MRI tests: 6 to 8 hours for results, specialty consultations: 1 to 2 hours. Note: MGH has been facing overcrowding issues in its Emergency Department, which can lead to longer wait times. |
| Cost and Financial Assistance Options | Provides financial assistance; Provided more than $1.14 billion in community benefits in fiscal year 2021, including charity care. | Committed to price transparency, patients can request cost estimates (617-726-3884, option 2), financial assistance is available for patients with limited resources, discounts and payment plans are available. |
| Community Outreach Programs | Partners with CommunityHealth in Chicago, providing healthcare through medical volunteers; Offers a Community Partnership Program focusing on access to care, economic opportunity, and community essentials; Supports local agencies through grant initiatives; Employees volunteer through the Team NM initiative. | Provides science-based education and job training programs, offers programs to introduce students to careers in healthcare, The Learning Laboratory provides simulation-based learning opportunities, Community Care Vans provide mobile medical services, partnerships with community agencies and the Indian Health Service to support Native American communities. |