Summer 2009

Blue Distinction designation added for spine surgery, knee and hip replacement centers

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) added two new Blue Distinction^® designations to its recognition program in 2009: Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement^SM and Blue Distinction Centers for Spine Surgery^SM.

Blue Distinction Centers^® are medical facilities that have achieved distinguished standards of clinical care and processes for specific areas of specialty care. These facilities meet objective, evidence-based thresholds for clinical quality, developed in collaboration with expert physicians and medical organizations. Studies indicate Blue Distinction Centers have better overall outcomes and lower costs for certain procedures when compared to nondesignated medical facilities.

To date, more than 800 Blue Distinction designations have been awarded to facilities across 45 states in the areas of bariatric surgery, cardiac care, complex and rare cancers, and transplants.

On a national level, The Blues^® are active in marketing Blue Distinction Centers to nearly 102 million members through national public relations, recognition in our national provider directory and other promotional efforts.

The Blue Distinction designation offers facilities the opportunity to collaborate with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida to promote the designation locally. Candidates for both Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement and Blue Distinction Centers for Spine Surgery must submit clinical data to establish that they meet the selection criteria.

If you would like to learn more about Blue Distinction, including the selection criteria, visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.