Mercy Medical Center Earns Blue Distinction® Center+ Designation for Spinal Surgery

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield has recognized Mercy Medical Center with a Blue Distinction® Centers+ designation, as part of the Blue Distinction Spine Surgery program.

Blue Distinction Centers® are nationally designated providers who demonstrate expertise in delivering high-quality patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community and leading accreditation and quality organizations.

Facilities designated as Blue Distinction Centers for Spine Surgery demonstrate expertise in cervical and lumbar fusion, cervical laminectomy and lumbar laminectomy/discectomy procedures, resulting in fewer patient complications and readmissions compared to other facilities. In addition to meeting these quality thresholds, hospitals designated as Blue Distinction Centers+ are, on average, 20 percent more cost-efficient in an episode of care compared to their peers.

The Blue Distinction Specialty Care program remains a valuable and trusted source for patients seeking quality care in the areas of bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, cellular immunotherapy, fertility care, gene therapy, knee and hip replacements, maternity care, spine surgery, substance use treatment and recovery and transplants.

For more information about the program and for a complete listing of designated facilities, visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.