According to a MyMichigan Health press release on Friday, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has recognized MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement, part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care Program.

MidMichigan Medical Centers in Alma, Midland, Tawas, and West Branch have also been recognized.

MyMichigan Health states that the Blue Distinction Centers+ are nationally designated health care facilities shown to deliver improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies with input from the medical community.

Blue Distinction Specialty Care is a national Centers of Excellence program, awarded by local Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies, recognizing health care facilities and providers that demonstrate expertise in delivering quality and affordable health care, according to the release. Hospitals designated as Blue Distinction Centers+ for knee and hip replacement have demonstrated expertise in total knee and total hip replacement surgeries and have met standards for delivering safe, effective, and cost-efficient care for hip and knee surgeries. The awarded facilities also average 21% fewer readmissions and 21% fewer complications within 90 days after knee and hip replacement surgery. Designated facilities also achieve cost savings of 30% for knee and hip replacements compared to all other facilities for that specialty care area.

“We are incredibly proud that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has recognized five of our Medical Centers as Blue Distinction Centers+ for Knee and Hip Replacement,” Michael Wahoviak, musculoskeletal service line director for MyMichigan Health, said in the release. “This designation is a testament to our team’s commitment to delivering the highest quality, safest, and most cost-effective care for our joint replacement patients. Meeting these rigorous national standards means our communities can be confident they are receiving care associated with better patient safety and superior health outcomes. Additionally, we are also proud that MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw was recently awarded the Joint Commission’s Advanced Certification in Advanced Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement for the second consecutive period.”

MyMichigan Health states that since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality providers for their specialty care needs in the areas of bariatric surgery, cardiac care, complex and rare cancers, knee and hip replacements, maternity care, spine surgery, and transplants, while encouraging healthcare professionals to improve the care they deliver.

Those who would like more information about the Blue Distinction Specialty Care Program or a complete listing of designated facilities, should visit bcbs.com/bluedistinction.