Blue Distinction® Centers

Blue Distinction® CenterBlue Distinction® Center designation is awarded by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) to providers that meet quality-focused criteria that emphasize patient safety and outcomes.

Blue Distinction Centers+ (BDC+) designation is awarded to providers that meet the same quality-focused criteria, as well as cost-of-care measures.

The goals of Blue Distinction designation are to:

• Encourage health care professionals to improve the overall quality and delivery of health care, resulting in better overall outcomes for patients.
• Support consumers as they identify the care and treatment that best meets their needs.

The Blue Distinction program recognizes hospitals and provider entities for their distinguished clinical care and processes in the areas of:

• Bariatric Surgery
• Cardiac Care
• Cancer Care
• Cellular Immunotherapy-CAR-T
• Fertility Care
• Gene Therapy-Ocular Disorders
• Maternity Care
• Knee and Hip Replacement
• Spine Surgery
• Transplants

The following New Jersey hospitals and provider entities are recognized by the BCBSA as Blue Distinction Centers (BDC) or Blue Distinction Centers+ (BDC+) in the specialty area(s) indicated.

Bariatric Surgery

Cardiac Care

Cancer Care

* Because the BCBSA is not measuring actual cost of cancer care on a national basis at this time BDC+ designation is not available as part of the Cancer Care program.

Fertility Care

Knee and Hip Replacement

Maternity Care

Spine Surgery

Substance Use Treatment and Recovery

Transplants

The Blue Distinction Centers for Transplants are designated facilities across the nation that meet stringent quality criteria established by national organizations and expert clinician panels.

Physicians referring a Horizon BCBSNJ member for a transplant should call us for information about participating local and national transplant facilities. Dedicated case management is available to help you and your patient. For more information, call 1-888-621-5894, ext.46404.

CMS requires that Medicare and Medicare Advantage members must receive transplant- related services only at Medicare-approved transplant facilities.