Great National Recognition  

The Saint Elizabeth Bariatric Surgical Center has been designated a Blue Center of Distinction by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association for its unprecedented quality, collaboration and affordability.

Informed Decision

Blue Distinction is a nationwide program that creates an unprecedented level of healthcare transparency for consumers and providers. Driven by quality, collaboration and affordability, Blue Distinction strengthens consumer engagement and provider partnerships through this specialty centers, which offer the best practices and standards of care in bariatric surgery.

Obesity is widely recognized as a contributor to serious health risks. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the total number of Americans having weight-loss surgery more than quadrupled between 1998 and 2002 – from 13,386 to 71,733 – with part of the increase driven by a 900 percent rise in surgeries on patients between the ages of 55 and 64.  Blue Distinction provides objective information to help patients make informed decisions when choosing a provider.

Demonstrated Quality
Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric SurgerySM have demonstrated their commitment to quality care, resulting in better overall outcomes for bariatric patients. Each facility meets stringent clinical criteria, developed in collaboration with expert physician panels and national medical societies (full details available on their website), including the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), and is subject to periodic reevaluation as criteria continue to evolve.

Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery provide a full range of bariatric surgery care services, including inpatient care, post-operative care, outpatient follow-up care and patient education. More than 200 Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery have been awarded across the country.  

Click here to link to the Saint Elizabeth Bariatric Surgery Center web pages