Rome Health Hospital is proud to be recognized by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) with a Blue Distinction Center+ (BDC+) designation under the Blue Distinction® Centers for Bariatric Surgery program.
This program focuses on improving outcomes and guides adult and adolescent members to hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers that meet quality and safety standards for common weight-loss procedures, including robotic sleeve gastrectomy and primary robotic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. BDC+ designated facilities have demonstrated expertise in patient safety, deliver better health outcomes, and were also more cost-effective for bariatric procedures.
"Receiving the Excellus Blue Distinction Center+ designation is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the exceptional care our entire bariatric team provides every day. Weight-loss surgery is about much more than helping patients lose weight—it's about improving health, restoring confidence, and giving people the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives. This recognition validates our commitment to delivering the highest standards of quality, safety, and compassionate care for every patient who entrusts us with their journey." — Keneth Hall, MD, FACS, FASMBS, Bariatric Surgeon, Rome Health
To receive this designation, facilities must participate in Excellus BCBS’s BlueCard Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) network and must be accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). MBSAQIP sets rigorous safety and quality standards, requires facilities to track outcomes over time, and confirms the expertise needed to perform weight-loss surgery safely.
All facilities designated under the Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery program have proven that they deliver higher-quality care under MBSAQIP’s objective standards for bariatric procedures. On average, MBSAQIP accredited centers that are BDC designated have 49% fewer severe complications for robotic sleeve gastrectomy and 20% fewer severe complications for gastric bypass1 compared to non-MBSAQIP-accredited facilities.
In addition to demonstrating higher-quality care, those facilities receiving the BDC+ designation also achieved 25% average cost savings1 for bariatric procedures compared to all other non-designated facilities.
By meeting these criteria, Rome Health Hospital demonstrated a strong commitment to higher-quality and affordable care and remains at the forefront of bariatric surgery advancement.
Members treated at designated facilities benefit from specialized expertise and advanced practices that lead to improved recovery times and reduced complications, enhancing their overall health journey.
While bariatric surgery can be an important step toward better health, long-term outcomes also depend on healthy lifestyle habits such as balanced nutrition, regular exercise, behavioral support, and close collaboration with specialists to help members adhere to recommended treatments and medications.
“Congratulations to Rome Health Hospital on achieving this important quality recognition,” said Tony Vitagliano, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Utica regional president. “The Blue Distinction designation is an important quality and transparency tool to help members make informed decisions about their health care.”
Since 2005, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped members find quality specialty care—and, for those that meet the program’s cost criteria, at lower costs—in the areas of bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, cellular immunotherapy, fertility care, knee and hip replacement, maternity care, spine surgery, substance use treatment and recovery, and transplants, while encouraging health care professionals to improve the quality of care they deliver.