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Press Release

Independence Blue Cross Announces Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac CareSM

Philadelphia, PA - September 22, 2006 - As part of its ongoing effort to give consumers information to improve health care decision making, Independence Blue Cross today announced that 13 area hospitals have achieved status as Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac CareSM.

Blue Distinction is a nationwide program that was created to give consumers more information to make informed health care decisions and to work with health care providers to improve health care quality outcomes and affordability. Blue Distinction identifies specialty centers that offer the best practices and standards of cardiac care. Independence Blue Cross participates in the Blue Distinction program as a member of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Area hospitals had to apply to achieve Blue Distinction Center status. The selection process used administrative and clinical data supplied by hospitals. Each facility's structure, processes and care outcomes were rigorously evaluated. The criteria for designation include nationally endorsed quality measures, developed in collaboration with medical experts and professional organizations. All hospitals chosen are a part of Independence Blue Cross' broad network of providers who offer high-quality cardiac care, among other services.

"Blue Distinction is another part of our commitment to work with health care providers to achieve improvements in the quality of care," said Dr. I. Steven Udvarhelyi, Independence Blue Cross chief medical officer. "At the same time, we are focused on giving our customer the right information in the right format so they can make informed health care decisions."

Hospitals that have achieved Blue Distinction status are:

HOSPITAL COUNTY
Presbyterian Medical Center of the University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Philadelphia
Albert Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia
Frankford-Torresdale Hospital Philadelphia
Temple University Hospital Philadelphia
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia
Abington Memorial Hospital Montgomery
Main Line Hospitals:  
Bryn Mawr Hospital Montgomery
Lankenau Hospital Montgomery
Paoli Memorial Hospital Chester
Chester County Hospital Chester
Crozer-Chester Medical Center Delaware
Doylestown Hospital Bucks

The criteria for becoming a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac CareSM include:

  • Full-service, accredited inpatient hospital facility;
  • Program must be performing a minimum required volume of cardiac catheterization related procedures and coronary artery bypass graft surgeries and provide a full range of services including inpatient cardiac care and cardiac rehabilitation;
  • Sub-specialty board certification of the cardiac team;
  • Ongoing quality management and improvement programs; and
  • Cardiac care processes and outcomes for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, cardiac catheterization related procedures and coronary artery bypass graft surgery including evaluation of complication and mortality rates.

Facilities must reapply each year to achieve Blue Distinction status. The current recognition is in effect until July 2007, at which time facilities are eligible to reapply to achieve status as a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care.

About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, IBC and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.4 million people. For nearly 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered quality health care products and services tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, groups and providers.

Independence Blue Cross received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance for its HMO and PPO health care plans. In addition, in 2005, Independence Blue Cross' Personal Choice was rated the No. 1 PPO in the nation and its Keystone Health Plan East HMO was ranked the No. 1 HMO in the region in a leading independent consumer magazine. Independence Blue Cross and Keystone Health Plan East are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.