Both UCLA Health and Mayo Clinic are excellent healthcare providers with strengths in different areas. Mayo Clinic consistently ranks higher nationally and has a broader geographic presence. UCLA Health excels in its regional network and patient portal. User feedback suggests areas for improvement in patient care and communication for UCLA Health, while Mayo Clinic faces challenges in scheduling and pain management.
| Attribute | UCLA Health | Mayo Clinic |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital ranking (national/regional) | #1 in California and Los Angeles; Consistently on U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals Honor Roll for 36 consecutive years; #3 nationally in 2021 | #1 overall hospital in the U.S. since 2016; Honor Roll member in 2025-2026; Top 20 hospitals in the U.S. for 2025-2026; #1 hospital in the world by Newsweek; No. 1 in state rankings for Minnesota, Arizona, and Florida |
| Specialty care excellence | Ten specialties ranked in the top 10 nationally, including Ear, Nose, and Throat (#2), Pulmonology and Lung Surgery (#4), Diabetes and Endocrinology (#5), Ophthalmology (#5), Psychiatry (#5), Urology (#7), Geriatrics (#7), Gastroenterology/Gastrointestinal Surgery (#8), Rheumatology (#8), Orthopedics (#10); International Cardio-Oncology Society Gold Center of Excellence | Top-ranked in more specialties than any other hospital; Best in the U.S. for diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology and GI surgery (2025-2026); High rankings in pulmonology and lung surgery, ear, nose, and throat, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, urology, cancer, cardiology and heart surgery, and neurology and neurosurgery. |
| Patient satisfaction scores | Recognized for high 'likelihood to recommend' rankings and exceptional patient-satisfaction scores; Outstanding Patient Experience Award from Healthgrades; Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center is the top hospital for patient satisfaction in Los Angeles | Five-star ratings for patient experience; Recognized by Healthgrades for exceptional patient care; Factors include communication with nurses and doctors, responsiveness of staff, cleanliness and quietness, and discharge information. |
| Mortality rates for common procedures | U.S. News & World Report considers risk-adjusted survival rates | Evaluated by U.S. News & World Report based on risk-adjusted mortality rates; Recognized for high-quality care, reflected in patient survival and discharge outcomes. |
| Infection rates | Publicly reported on the California Department of Public Health website; Uses UV disinfection, monitors staff hand hygiene, and provides antiseptic bath treatments | 'A' grades for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group. |
| Availability of advanced technology | Utilizes robotic surgery for various procedures using the da Vinci surgical system; Advanced Robotic Micro Surgery (ARMS) Laboratory focuses on developing advanced medical technology | Known for advanced technology, including robotic surgery systems; Surgeons perform a wide range of robotic surgeries with specialized training. |
| Emergency room wait times | 1-in-20 hospital patients spend 24 hours waiting in emergency departments (Newsweek) | Not available |
| Insurance acceptance | Accepts a wide range of health insurance plans, including HMOs, PPOs, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medi-Cal; Accepts various behavioral health insurance plans | Arrangements with various insurers, including Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE; Confirmation with insurer and Mayo Clinic is important. |
| Out-of-pocket costs for common procedures | Not available | Not available |
| Availability of clinical trials | Offers access to hundreds of clinical trials across various medical conditions; Conducts research for a wide range of medical disorders | Hundreds of cancer clinical trials at campuses in Arizona, Florida, and Minnesota, and through the Mayo Clinic Health System; Trials available across various points of the cancer journey. |
| Hospital amenities | User-friendly portal for appointments, payments, messaging physicians, and viewing results at UCLA Health - Downtown LA | Wheelchairs available free of charge; Accessible restrooms, parking, and transportation services. |
| Location and accessibility | Integrated network with primary and specialty care services available at more than 280 clinics across Southern California and the Central Coast; Four hospitals on two campuses in Westwood and Santa Monica; UCLA Health - Downtown LA located at 700 W. 7th St. S270-D Los Angeles, CA 90017 | Major campuses in Rochester, Minnesota; Jacksonville, Florida; and Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona; Affiliated facilities throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa; Accessible to people with disabilities, offering patient escorts and communication devices. |
| User feedback (positive) | Cleanliness, Efficiency, Easy-to-use patient portal, High quality of care | Commitment to excellence and putting patients first, Clear and compassionate communication with patients and their families, Treating each patient with respect, kindness, and dignity, High percentages of patients recommending the hospital for care, Astounding cleanliness |
| User feedback (negative) | Negligent care, Rude staff, Billing issues, Lack of communication, Feeling 'less than human', Harassment, Denied pain medication | Some reviews suggest that the scheduling department can be unhelpful, Some doctors may not listen to patient concerns, Some reviews express disappointment with pain management, particularly in the spine clinic |