August 2022
Blue Distinction® Centers for Cancer Care
Blue Distinction Centers is a national designation given by Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Plans to recognize healthcare facilities and providers for their expertise in delivering quality specialty care − safely, effectively and cost-efficiently. The goal of the program is to help your patients, our members, find both quality and value for their specialty care needs, while providing a credible foundation on which employers may customize their employee benefits.
Illinois Cancer Specialists (ICS) has been awarded the Blue Distinction Center for Cancer Care designation.
Distinction in Your Community and Nationwide
The Blue Distinction Centers for Cancer Care program aims to improve patient outcomes and cost by addressing fragmented delivery of care. It’s available for all cancer types and various care settings, including physician groups, cancer centers, hospitals and accountable care organizations (ACOs).
Designation as a Blue Distinction Center for Cancer Care differentiates providers locally, as well as nationally. This highly respected designation acknowledges the expertise you have demonstrated and your commitment to improving quality and affordability. Designations are awarded based on quality criteria, focused on foundational elements that support delivery of patient-centered, evidence-based cancer care.
In addition to meeting the criteria above, each designated provider entity is required to have a value-based payment arrangement with their local BCBS Plan, setting targets for delivering higher quality, lower cost care for patients. Although a value-based payment arrangement is one of the requirements of the designation, the actual cost of care is not being measured on a national basis at this point and the BDC+ designation is not offered at this time.
Blue Distinction Centers for Cancer Care designations are posted on the National Doctor and Hospital Finder and Blue Distinction Center Finder. A directory of Blue Distinction Centers for Cancer Care is available on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) website.
For more program information, please visit the BCBSA Blue Distinction® Specialty Care page.
A Local Blue Plan may require additional criteria for providers located in its own service area; for details, contact your Local Blue Plan. Blue Distinction® National criteria for BDC and BDC+ are displayed on the BCBSA website. Individual outcomes may vary. Neither BCBSA nor any Blue Plans are responsible for non-covered charges or other losses or damages resulting from Blue Distinction or other provider finder information or care received from Blue Distinction or other providers.
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The information in this article is being provided for educational purposes only and is not the provision of medical care or advice. Physicians and other health care providers are to their own best medical judgment based upon all available information and the condition of the patient in determining the best course of treatment. The fact that a service or treatment is described in this material is not a guarantee that the service or treatment is a covered benefit and members should refer to their certificate of coverage for more details, including benefits, limitations and exclusions. Regardless of benefits, the final decision about any service or treatment is between the member and their health care provider.