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How can Blue Distinction help you?
Whether you're a member, an employer, or a provider, the Blue Distinction program highlights facilities that have shown fewer complications and readmissions.
What is the Blue Distinction program?
Blue Distinction Specialty Care is a national centers of excellence program recognizing health care facilities and/or providers with a proven track record for exceptional specialized care and better patient outcomes.
To earn a Blue Distinction designation, providers and / or facilities must meet strict, pre-determined quality standards developed by medical experts and providers. This national evaluation criteria makes it easy for patients to choose quality-focused specialty treatment.
Providers with exceptional specialized experience
Highest level of patient support at all stages of treatment
Fewer complications and better outcomes after treatment
20–34% average cost savings on specialty procedures
Types of Blue Distinction Specialty Care
The program includes two levels of designation:
Blue Distinction Center – quality care, treatment expertise, and better overall patient results
Blue Distinction Centers+ – more affordable care in addition to quality care, treatment expertise, and better overall patient results
The Blue Distinction program recognizes centers that deliver care in several crucial specialty care areas:
- Knee and hip replacement
- Bariatric surgery
- Cardiac care
- Transplants
- Spine surgery
- Maternity care
- Substance use treatment and recovery
How is eligibility for each specialty determined?
Review the selection criteria for each area of specialty care on the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association website to see how providers qualify for the designation.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in its health programs and activities. Learn more about our non-discrimination policy and no-cost services available to you.
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