January 2019

Blue Distinction^® Centers for Fertility Care

Blue Distinction is a national designation awarded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) to identify PPO providers that demonstrate expertise in delivering specialty care safely, effectively and cost-efficiently.

The foundation of Blue Distinction Specialty Care is the quality-focused Blue Distinction Center designation. An additional and more select value-based designation, Blue Distinction^® Center+, further distinguishes health care providers delivering specialty care. These two designations became available for Fertility Care as of Jan. 1, 2019.

Value of the Fertility Care Program
Similar to other Blue Distinction programs, the Fertility Care program will be evaluated on quality and cost of care criteria. It will focus on in vitro fertilization (IVF), which is the most common assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. This voluntary program is open to IVF ART providers in various care settings, including individual physicians, physician groups and clinics. Providers will be evaluated on quality components that include data from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) Registry.

Distinction in Your Community and Nationwide
Designation as a Blue Distinction Center or Blue Distinction Center+ differentiates your practice among peers in your local market, affirming to your community, patients and other providers that you are committed to quality care for patients’ fertility care needs. It also offers opportunities to collaborate with BCBSIL to promote the designation.

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 professional organizations’ recommendations. The designation is not a guarantee of any particular outcome. Individual outcomes may vary.