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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Recognizes Facilities for Higher-Quality Spine Surgery and Knee and Hip Replacements

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has recognized local hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers for delivering higher-quality spine surgery and knee and hip replacements through the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. The Blue Distinction Center Specialty Programs identify hospitals and ASCs that demonstrate expertise in patient safety, deliver better health outcomes, and are more cost-effective. These facilities meet stringent quality standards across all aspects of spine surgery or knee and hip replacements, delivering superior care to patients.

Key Takeaways:

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas recognizes local hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers for higher-quality spine surgery and knee and hip replacements through the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.
  • The Blue Distinction Center Specialty Programs identify hospitals and ASCs that demonstrate expertise in patient safety, deliver better health outcomes, and are more cost-effective.
  • The recognized facilities meet stringent quality standards across all aspects of spine surgery or knee and hip replacements, delivering superior care to patients.
  • The Blue Distinction Center facilities include:

+ Knee and Hip Replacements: AdventHealth Ottawa, Labette County Medical Center, LMH Health, Salina Regional Health Center, Stormont Vail Hospital, University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus

+ Spine Surgery: NMC Health

  • The Blue Distinction Center+ facilities include:

+ Knee and Hip Replacements: Kansas Surgery and Recovery Center, NMC Health, Pratt Regional Medical Center

+ Spine Surgery: Labette County Medical Center, Salina Regional Health Center, University of Kansas Health Systems St Francis Campus

  • Facilities designated under the Knee and Hip Replacement and Spine Surgery programs demonstrate higher-quality care compared to non-Blue Distinction Center facilities, with an average of:

+ 28% fewer readmissions and 29% fewer complications within 90 days after spine surgery.

+ 21% fewer readmissions and 21% fewer complications within 90 days of knee and hip replacement surgery.

  • Patients treated at designated facilities benefit from the expertise and advanced practices that lead to improved recovery times and reduced complications.
  • The Blue Distinction Center program helps consumers find both quality and value for their specialty care needs, while also encouraging healthcare professionals to improve the overall delivery of care nationwide.
  • The program has been in place since 2005, and has helped patients find quality specialty care – and, for those that meet the program's cost criteria, at lower costs – in the areas of bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, cellular immunotherapy, fertility care, knee and hip replacement, maternity care, spine surgery, substance use treatment and recovery, and transplants.

Statistics:

  • 28% fewer readmissions and 29% fewer complications within 90 days after spine surgery at designated facilities.
  • 21% fewer readmissions and 21% fewer complications within 90 days of knee and hip replacement surgery at designated facilities.
  • 23% cost savings for spine surgery and 30% cost savings for knee and hip replacements at designated Blue Distinction Center+ facilities.

Sources:

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
  • American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)
  • American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR)
  • American Spine Registry (ASR)
  • American Medical Association (AMA)

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