Center of Excellence/Distinction?

Are the Center of Excellence & Distinction "statuses" only a Medicare/Medicaid thing, or does all BCBS plans require that their subscribers have surgery at those hospitals?

I have BCBS PPO and my surgeon choice/hospital participates w/ BlueCross, but since he just moved to the area from another state, it will be a few more months before the hospital gets those Distinctions.

I have BCBS of New Jersey and my policy stated a Center of Excellence under the requirements.  I'm not sure if they all require it though.

Hi Nene... from my understanding - yes BC requires a COE facility.  Also - just so you know... it takes a couple of years before a hospital can be deemed a COE.  I believe it takes like 1-200 procedures to be preformed there with 1%< negative issue rate.    I have Anthem BC of CA PPO and they require me to go to a COE as well... which sucks cause I have to travel about an hour away for my procedure.... there has to be at least 8 Memorial Hospitals between here and there. that would be much more conveinent.

Best of luck to you...