Blue Distinction Centers

Searching for a top-rated health care provider for a special medical procedure or surgery, or for your general health and wellness? Blue Distinction^® programs are designed to recognize doctors, hospitals and health care facilities for their outstanding quality of care, service, and patient safety.

Blue Distinction Specialty Care singles out hospitals and health care facilities that excel in offering care in specialty areas.

Facilities designated as Blue Distinction Center for Specialty Care meet overall quality measures for patient safety and outcomes, developed with input from the medical community.

This program recognizes hospitals and health care facilities for their expertise and/or low-cost care in specialties like cardiac care and bariatric surgery.

Both Blue Distinction Centers and Blue Distinction Centers+ have proven track records for delivering expert skill in quality care, treatment, and overall results. The centers feature:

• Doctors, nurses, and staff with a great deal of specialized experience
• The highest level of patient support at all stages of treatment
• Fewer complications after treatment

In addition, Blue Distinction Centers+ must meet specific, cost-effective measures that offer more affordable care.

Blue Distinction Specialty Care Areas

Specialty care areas in Blue Distinction Centers/ Blue Distinction+ Centers include:

• Knee and Hip Replacement
• Bariatric Surgery
• Cardiac Care
• Transplants
• Spine Surgery
• Maternity Care
• Substance Use Treatment and Recovery

Go to our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Important Legal Information and Disclaimers
Blue Distinction^® Centers met overall quality measures for patient safety and outcomes, developed with input from the medical community. Blue Distinction^® Centers+ also met cost measures that address consumers' need for affordable healthcare. Individual outcomes may vary. National criteria are displayed on www.bcbs.com. A Local Blue Plan may require additional criteria for facilities located in its own service area. To find out which services and providers (including hospital based physicians) are covered under your policy, or to learn about Local Blue Plan Criteria, contact your Local Blue Plan; and contact your provider before making an appointment to verify its current Network and Blue Distinction Centers status. Each hospital's Cost Index is calculated separately, based on data from its Local Blue Plan. Hospitals in portions of CA, ID, NY, PA, and WA may lie in areas served by two Local Blue Plans, resulting in two Cost Index figures; and their own Local Blue Plans decide whether all hospitals in these areas must meet Blue Distinction Centers+ national criteria for one or both Cost Index figures. Neither Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association nor any Blue Plans are responsible for damages, losses, or non-covered charges resulting from Blue Distinction or other provider finder information or care received from Blue Distinction or other providers. To find out more, contact your Local Blue Plan.

Designation as Blue Distinction Centers means that these facilities' overall experience and aggregate data met objective criteria established in collaboration with expert clinicians' and leading professional organizations' recommendations. Individual outcomes may vary. To find out which services are covered under your policy at these or any other facilities, please call your local Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield Plan; and please call your provider before making an appointment, to verify the most current information on their Network participation status. Neither Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association nor any of its licensees are responsible for any damages, losses, or non-covered charges that may result from using this Web site or receiving care from a provider listed in this Web site.