UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA
CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE REVIEW
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Centers of Excellence
Premera (BCBS) Centers of Excellence
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Blue Distinctions (BD)- is a nationally recognized designation based on
objective, evidence-based selection criteria established in collaboration with
expert physicians and medical organizations
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BD’s goal is to raise the overall level of care delivered by focusing on quality
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Designation is contingent on ongoing compliance, subject to a thorough
investigation
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More than 1700 Blue Distinction Centers (BDCs) across 6 specialty areas
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Bariatric Surgery
Cardiac Care
Complex and rare cancers
Knee and hip replacement
Spine Surgery and transplants
Proposed Plan Design
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Domestic Tourism – where cost of travel is paid by University to a Center of Excellence
2
Premera (BCBS) Centers of Excellence
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Seattle based Centers of Excellence
Cardiac Care
Bariatric Care
Knee/Hip
Overlake Hospital Medical Center
Evergreen Hospital Medical Center
Overlake Hospital Medical Center
Swedish Medical Center
Overlake Hospital Medical Center
Swedish Medical Center
Virginia Mason Medical Center
Virginia Mason Medical Center
Virginia Mason Medical Center
St. Joseph Medical Center
* Rare & Complex Cancers and Transplants at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and Seattle Childrens
3
Premera (BCBS) Centers of Excellence
Services
Centers of Excellence
Difference from Providence Alaska
Decrease
Increase
Bariatric
($6,680)
$7,974
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG)
($20,036)
$11,523
Coronary Angioplasty (Cardiac PCI)
($16,302)
$1,115
Total Hip Replacement
($10,873)
$2,688
Total Knee Replacement
($11,242)
$5,739
Spine: Disectomy wo/compression
($5,988)
$994
Spine: Decompression wo/fusion
($13,764)
$0
Spine: Primary Fusion
($15,625)
$5,256
Spine: Revision Fusion
($7,763)
$0
Cost savings are for facility only and don’t include provider
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