What is a "Bariatric Center of Excellence?"

It is a hospital where the insurance companies have conspired with certain hospitals and surgeons to consolidate bariatric surgeries, for the sake of "efficiency."  Now one aspect is true - the learning curve DOES favor hospitals where a lot of surgeries are done - the doctors are more experienced; the staff knows how to work as a team; they have better equipment.  But as for the rest - in exchange for being the SOLE provider of bariatric services for the insurance companies, the hospital and surgeon make a deal with the devil - they agree to accept low rent prices from the insurance company.  And to work with the insurance company to keep costs low - often at the expense of the patient.

So, basically, "Bariatric Center of Excellence" = SURGERY MILL.

In case anyone is under the mistaken impression that they are actually "special" or that this designation means anything particularly good.

I bet you got the idea for this post from my reply to what's her name huh ?     You need to post this on the FAILED band forum and I will make it a sticky.
www.obesityhelp.com/group/failed_lap_bands/discussion/

hey, I didn't know that.

bet the folks that have bragged about this now feel pretty silly.

 I, unfortunately, have to agree. ... and this is after much pondering about the subject myself.

I agree, that is why so many insurances require that procedures be done by a center of excellence!  It's just like "preferred" car repairs, they make a deal with insurance too. 

I am just curious....how does one get their surgery and avoid these Bariatric Surgery Mills if insurance requires us to go to a "center of execellence"?

Also can you tell me where your got this information...usually you provide a link or other substantive information to back up your posts.

Thanks!

Your post got me thinking...I found this

www.obesityaction.org/magazine/oacnews17/bscoe.php

Hey, you unblocked me

My lap band was done at a center of excellence and my vsg and ds will be done at a plain ol' hospital.  I got WAY better care at the plain ol' hospital.  The center of excellence was totally a surgery mill.

Janine, if you went to NYP-Weill Cornell, it is a COE as of at last year. That's why dh was able to use Dr. Pomp and get it completely paid for by insurance.

Liz

 Can you expound on this: "And to work with the insurance company to keep costs low - often at the expense of the patient."? In other words how are patients hurt in this scenario? Thanks!