Articles
100 Critical Access Hospitals to Know: Missouri and Kansas Hospitals Make the List
November 13, 2026
Key takeaways
Becker's Hospital Review published its list of 100 critical access hospitals to know for 2026, first posted in May and updated in July.
Several hospitals in our region made the list, including Cox Barton County in Lamar, Hedrick Medical Center in Chillicothe, Mosaic Medical Center - Albany, Kingman Healthcare Center, and Newman Regional Health in Emporia.
Cox Barton County and Mosaic Albany were also named to the NRHA's 2026 Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals.
Three of the hospitals mentioned list endocrinology among their services, one of the harder service lines to fill.
Critical access hospitals are where specialty access close to home matters most.
It's always good to see rural hospitals recognized for the work they do. Becker's Hospital Review published 100 Critical Access Hospitals to Know | 2026, first posted in May and updated in July, and several of the hospitals on it are right here in Missouri and Kansas.
Hospitals from our region on the list
Hospitals from our region on this year's list include:
Cox Barton County, Lamar
Hedrick Medical Center, Chillicothe
Mosaic Medical Center - Albany
Kingman Healthcare Center
Newman Regional Health, Emporia
Two of them earned a second recognition this year. Cox Barton County and Mosaic Albany were also named to the National Rural Health Association's (NRHA) 2026 Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals.
Congratulations to every Missouri and Kansas hospital on the list, and to the teams who make them work.
Why specialty access matters most here
Critical access hospitals serve rural communities, and that's where specialty access close to home matters most. When a specialist sees patients at the local hospital, patients don't have to travel for that care, and the service stays in the community.
Endocrinology: a hard line to fill
Three of the hospitals mentioned list endocrinology among their services. That stands out, because endocrinology is one of the harder service lines to fill. Telehealth is one practical way to add it.
What this means for rural hospitals
Many rural hospitals don't need a full-time specialist, and many couldn't support one. What they need is dependable coverage on a schedule they can plan around. As we saw in Where Are the Surgeons? A New Map Shows the Gaps in Rural Surgical Care, the gaps in our region are real.
That's the gap Midwest Doctor Link fills. We connect rural hospitals with experienced specialists who want to work part time, from a couple of days a month to several days a week. The hospital gains specialty care without a full-time hire. Learn how it works for hospitals.
FAQ
Which Missouri and Kansas hospitals made Becker's 2026 list?
Several from our region, including Cox Barton County in Lamar, Hedrick Medical Center in Chillicothe, Mosaic Medical Center - Albany, Kingman Healthcare Center, and Newman Regional Health in Emporia.
Which of them were also recognized by the NRHA?
Cox Barton County and Mosaic Albany were named to the NRHA's 2026 Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals.
How can a critical access hospital add specialty care without a full-time hire?
Through part-time specialist coverage on a set schedule, from a couple of days a month to several days a week. For some service lines, like endocrinology, telehealth is another practical option.
Available Providers
Credentialed and ready to discuss a schedule:
Click here to see the most updated list of available providers!
Other providers are available. Give us a call at (816) 560-4720.
Ron Booth, Founder & CEO, Midwest Doctor Link
Have a staffing gap, a provider to refer, or a question about anything here? I'm glad to talk it through, no obligation.
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