Both Massachusetts General Hospital and Mayo Clinic are exceptional medical institutions with strong reputations, comprehensive services, and a commitment to research and innovation. Mayo Clinic appears to have a slight advantage in patient satisfaction and cost-effectiveness, while Massachusetts General Hospital excels in patient experience and accessibility via public transportation.
| Attribute | Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA) | Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Reputation | Consistently ranked among the top hospitals in the U.S. by *U.S. News & World Report*. Ranked #4 in the nation in 2018. | Private, nonprofit academic medical center with a strong reputation for integrated healthcare, education, and research. Consistently ranked among the top hospitals in the U.S. Ranked #1 hospital in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in 2021-2022 and top-ranked in 14 specialties. |
| Specialty Expertise | Cardiology: Offers a comprehensive range of cardiovascular services with expert cardiologists and surgeons. Oncology: The Mass General Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. Ranked #4 in the nation for cancer care in 2018 | Cardiology, Oncology (Cancer Care), Transplant Programs, Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN), Surgical Specialties, Emergency Medicine (Trauma), Critical Care (Intensive Care), Vascular Medicine & Surgery, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology & Optometry (Eyes), Sleep Medicine, Spine Care, Sports Medicine, Urology, Weight Management, Wound Care, Birthing Care, Family Medicine, Heart Care |
| Patient Satisfaction Scores | Recognized with the "Outstanding Patient Experience Award" by Healthgrades in 2023, 2024 and 2025. | Overall rating of 95 out of 100 based on patient surveys. 96 out of 100 patients would recommend the hospital. In 2021, 87.5% of patients would recommend Mayo Clinic for care. HCAHPS scores (2020): 89% of patients would recommend the hospital. |
| Range of Services Offered | Offers sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic care in virtually every specialty and subspecialty of medicine and surgery. | Primary care, Specialty care, Surgical services, Emergency services, Hospital care, Laboratory services, Pharmacy services, Rehabilitation services, Mental health services, Support services |
| Technology and Innovation | Known for cutting-edge technologies, including robotic surgery, advanced imaging, and precision medicine. | Emphasizes technology-driven breakthroughs, including AI and 3D printing. Has a Center for Innovation and is focused on digital transformation to personalize patient experience. Examples include robots for delivering medical equipment and personalized music for patients. |
| Research and Clinical Trials | Houses the world's largest hospital-based research program, with a research budget exceeding $1.2 billion in 2021. A key focus is translational research, accelerating the development of new treatments. | Spends over $660 million a year on research and has more than 3,000 full-time research personnel. Numerous clinical trials conducted at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, covering various conditions. |
| Accessibility and Location | Located in the West End neighborhood of Boston, close to the Charles River and Beacon Hill. Accessible via the MBTA Red Line (Charles/MGH station). | Located in Rochester, Minnesota, approximately 90 minutes south of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Rochester campus includes three major areas connected by pedestrian subways, skyways, and shuttles. Accessibility services are available across the campus, including patient escorts and wheelchairs. The Mayo Clinic app helps patients navigate their visit. Public transportation options include Rochester Public Transit (RPT) and park-and-ride services. |
| Insurance Coverage | Accepts most health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. It is always recommended to check with your insurance provider. | Details regarding specific insurance coverage can be obtained by contacting Mayo Clinic directly. |
| Cost and Financial Assistance | Committed to price transparency. Offers financial assistance to patients with limited resources, including payment plans and discounts. | Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester has a Medicare Spending Per Beneficiary score of 0.96, indicating lower costs compared to national averages. Charitable Care and Financial Assistance options are available. Red Drop Resources offers financial assistance to patients receiving treatment for blood cancer at Mayo Clinic, Rochester. |
| Physician Credentials and Experience | Staffed by highly skilled and experienced medical professionals, including world-renowned specialists. | Employs over 7,300 physicians and scientists. |
| Hospital Affiliations | The original and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. Founding member of Mass General Brigham. | Has affiliations with other hospitals and healthcare systems through the Mayo Clinic Care Network and Mayo Clinic Health System. |
| Emergency Care Quality | Has a Level I Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center. | Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus, has Level I Trauma accreditation. Emergency Medicine teams are trained to deliver emergency care. They provide rapid access to multiple specialties and telemedicine services. |
| Price | Not available | Not available |
| Ratings | Not available | Overall rating of 95 out of 100 based on patient surveys. |
| Pros | ["Top in the nation for overall patient experience based on doctor and nurse communication.", "Conveniently located near accessible public transportation (MBTA Red Line).", "Wheelchair-accessible shuttles operate between Mass General locations.", "Accessible parking is available.", "Offers emotional support, counseling, and spiritual care through Patient and Family Services.", "Home Base program dedicated to healing the invisible wounds of post-9/11 veterans, service members, and their families."] | ["Strong reputation for integrated healthcare, education, and research", "Consistently ranked among the top hospitals in the U.S.", "Wide range of specialty expertise", "Comprehensive range of services", "Emphasis on technology and innovation", "Extensive research and clinical trials", "Accessibility services available", "Financial assistance options available", "Level I Trauma accreditation", "Strong culture of safety"] |
| Cons | ["Pain Management information not found in search results.", "Wait Time for Appointments information not found in search results.", "Responsiveness to Concerns/Complaints information not found in search results.", "Success Rates for Procedures/Treatments information not found in search results.", "Patient Safety and Error Prevention information not found in search results."] | [] |
| User Feedback (Positive) | ["Positive patient experiences, particularly regarding doctor and nurse communication."] | ["96 out of 100 patients would recommend the hospital.", "87.5% of patients would recommend Mayo Clinic for care (2021).", "89% of patients would recommend the hospital (HCAHPS 2020).", "85% of patients report nurses 'Always' communicated well.", "83% of patients reported that their doctors 'Always' communicated well."] |
| User Feedback (Negative) | [] | [] |
| User Feedback (Value) | [] | ["Medicare Spending Per Beneficiary score of 0.96 (lower costs compared to national averages)."] |
| User Feedback (Quotes) | [] | [] |