Highmark Blue Shield and National Association Name Area Hospitals as Blue Distinction Centers for Complex and Ra...(ng other selection criteria these hospit...),Health

-- has multidisciplinary team input, including sub-specialty trained teams

for complex and rare cancers and demonstrated depth of expertise across

cancer disciplines in medicine, surgery, radiation oncology, pathology

and radiology

-- demonstrates ongoing quality management and improvement programs for

cancer care

-- demonstrates an ongoing commitment to using clinical data registries

and providing access to appropriate clinical research for complex and

rare cancers

-- demonstrates sufficient volume of experience in treating rare and

complex cancers

Blue Distinction Centers for Complex and Rare Cancers were developed in strategic collaboration with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and input from a panel of leading clinicians and professional organizations.

Blue Distinction(R) is a designation awarded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to medical facilities that have demonstrated expertise in delivering quality health care. The designation is based on rigorous, evidence-based selection criteria established in collaboration with leading clinicians, medical societies and professional organizations.

With the current areas, including cardiac care and bariatric surgery already in place, Highmark Blue Shield will have a more comprehensive program focused on quality specialty care compared to other health plans. This designation is for 18 months, and institutions that are a part of the program also are subject to periodic re-evaluation as criteria continue to evolve.

Note: Designation as Blue Distinction Centers means these facilities' overall experience and aggregate data met objective criteria established in collaboration with expert clinicians' and leading medical societies'
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