Healthcare Industry News: National Comprehensive Cancer Network
News Release - March 13, 2008
BCBSA and NCCN Announce Strategic Collaboration
FORT WASHINGTON, Pa.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--This week, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) announced that the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) is a strategic collaborator in oncology.For the last 23 months, the two organizations have worked together to develop Blue Distinction Centers for Complex and Rare CancersSM, a designation that focuses on multidisciplinary treatment planning and complex, major surgical treatments for 13 specific types of cancer. Blue Distinction® Centers meet rigorous, objective, evidence-based criteria for clinical quality, established in collaboration with leading medical specialists and professional organizations. Blue Distinction Centers for complex and rare cancers, cardiac care, bariatric surgery, and transplants are all part of the Blues’ ongoing efforts to improve the overall quality of healthcare for all Americans.
“The NCCN is pleased to work with such a prominent organization as BCBSA in our mutual efforts to improve the overall quality of cancer care rendered to so many people afflicted with this disease,” said William T. McGivney, PhD, NCCN CEO.
“The expansion of the Blue Distinction designation to include complex and rare cancers will help a very specific patient population in need of identifying skilled and dedicated facilities that treat these very complicated cancers,” said Scott P. Serota, BCBSA president and CEO.
About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), a not-for-profit alliance of 21 of the world’s leading cancer centers, is dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of care provided to patients with cancer. Through the leadership and expertise of clinical professionals at NCCN Member Institutions, NCCN develops resources that present valuable information to the numerous stakeholders in the health care delivery system. As a leader in high-quality cancer care, NCCN promotes the importance of continuous quality improvement and recognizes the significance of creating clinical practice guidelines appropriate for use by patients, clinicians, and other health care decision-makers. The primary goal of all NCCN initiatives is to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of oncology practice so patients can live better lives.
For more information, visit www.nccn.org.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 39 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide healthcare coverage for more than 100 million individuals – one-in-three Americans. For more information on Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and its member companies, please visit www.BCBS.com.
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. Individual outcomes may vary. To find out which services are covered under your policy at any facilities, please call your local Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield Plan; and call your provider before making an appointment, to verify the most current information on their Network participation status. Neither Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association nor any of its Licensees are responsible for any damages, losses, or non-covered charges that may result from using this website or receiving care from a provider listed in this website.
* This organization has provided information and input, but does not formally endorse the Blue Distinction Centers program.
Source: National Comprehensive Cancer Network
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