From Blue Cross Blue Shield
Woman’s bariatric program has earned the Blue Distinction Specialty Care Center Plus (BDC+) designation from Blue Cross Blue Shield, which recognizes healthcare providers that deliver specialized care in a safe, effective and cost-efficient manner. The distinction helps patients seeking weight loss surgery find both quality and value for their care while encouraging healthcare professionals to improve the overall quality and delivery of healthcare nationwide. Only those providers that meet nationally established, objective quality measures for Blue Distinction Centers can be considered for designation.
The Blue Distinction Specialty Care Program for bariatric surgery includes two levels of designation, Blue Distinction Centers (BDC) and Blue Distinction Centers+ (BDC+). The designations are awarded for two types of bariatric procedures: gastric stapling (hospitals only) and gastric banding (hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers). To qualify for designation, the facility must provide a full range of bariatric surgery care, including inpatient care, post-operative care, outpatient follow-up care and patient education. Woman’s Hospital achieved the designation of BDC+, which recognizes expertise in delivering cost-efficient bariatric care.
Woman’s Weight Loss Surgery program is nationally accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). The program’s Weight Loss Surgery Coordinator assists patients with everything from financing surgery to connecting them with resources to ensure success. A registered dietitian helps with nutritional needs, a clinical exercise physiologist designs exercise plans, and a support group helps patients manage emotional challenges.