Surgical Review Corporation and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Work Together to Evaluate Surgeons

Over the past year, SRC and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association have worked together to consolidate steps in evaluating bariatric hospitals and surgeons. While each organization maintains its own centers of excellence program, these organizations find much in common. For instance, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) sends a Request for Information survey to hospitals that are interested in participating in their Blue Distinction Center Programs. Hospitals that have the ASMBS BSCOE designation are not required to complete 29 out of the 51 questions on the survey.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is also working to recognize doctors for their participation in quality-related programs on its directories and Web sites. As part of this program, surgeons that have the ASMBS BSCOE designation are highlighted in these patient resources by the display of the designation seal in their provider listing.

SRC and BCBSA are also working together to provide information about the ASMBS BSCOE program. SRC has been invited to speak at the 2008 Spring Distinctively Blue and Focus on Providers Conference, April 9-11 in Denver. Attendees will include Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield Plan medical directors, government and national program directors; case, disease management and utilization managers; health promotion specialists; behavioral health professionals; pharmacy staff; vice presidents, directors and managers of provider networks; provider relations and national account staff.

During the Bariatric Surgery session on April 9, SRC’s CEO Gary Pratt and Lynne Thompson, R.N., Director of Clinical Quality and Compliance will review key factors in the development of a comprehensive bariatric program. In addition, they will discuss the site inspection process and SRC’s Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database™ (BOLD™), the Internet-based patient outcomes tracking and reporting tool — both of which are required for the ASMBS BSCOE designation. BCBSA will require participation in BOLD at their next recertification cycle.

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