Blue Distinction Centers for Complex and Rare Cancers (Focusing on Complex Inpatient and Surgical care)

Complex and rare cancers comprise approximately 15 percent of new cancer cases each year. Blue Distinction Centers for Complex and Rare Cancers^SM are the first in a line of Blue Distinction CentersSM focused on cancer treatment.

This initial phase evaluates facilities on patient assessment, treatment planning, complex inpatient care and major surgical treatments for adults; all delivered by teams with distinguished expertise and subspecialty training for complex and rare cancers. The program focuses on the following 13 cancers:

To date, more than 85 Blue Distinction Centers for Complex and Rare Cancers have been designated across the country.

• List of Blue Distinction Centers for Complex and Rare Cancers

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Blue Distinction Centers for Complex and Rare Cancers were developed in strategic collaboration with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)* and with input from a panel of leading clinicians. The evidence-based selection criteria used for determining Blue Distinction Centers for Complex and Rare Cancers include:

• exceeds volume threshold for annual surgical cases treated
• utilization of multidisciplinary team input for treatment planning, including sub-specialty trained teams
• participation in ongoing quality management and improvement programs for cancer care
• commitment to using clinical data registries and participating in relevant clinical research

Blue Cross and Blue Shield recognizes that the majority of patients' multidisciplinary treatment may be best accomplished by integrating the expertise available in a Blue Distinction Center with locally available treatment resources, especially for outpatient chemotherapy and radiotherapy, based on individual circumstances and patient preference. Optimal support of a patient's comprehensive cancer care needs may be achieved by coordination of care between the patient and their family, local physicians, the Blue Distinction Center and their local Blue Cross and Blue Shield company.

Blue Distinction Centers for Complex and Rare Cancers, along with Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery, Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care, and Blue Distinction Centers for Transplants, are a key part of the Blues' effort to collaborate with doctors and facilities to improve the overall quality and, therefore, affordability, of specialty care.

Click here for additional resources regarding complex and rare cancers.

If you are a physician or hospital administrator interested in learning more or applying for the Blue Distinction designation for your medical facility, please click here.

Some Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies ("Plans") may already participate in local cancer care programs. The new Blue Distinction Centers for Complex and Rare Cancers program neither disrupts nor replaces the Plans' own existing programs.

* This organization has provided information and input, but does not formally endorse the Blue Distinction Centers program.

Note: Designation as Blue Distinction Centers means that these facilities' overall experience and aggregate data met objective criteria established in collaboration with expert clinicians' and leading professional organizations' recommendations. Individual outcomes may vary. To find out which services are covered under your policy at these or any other facilities, please call your local Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield Plan; and please call your provider before making an appointment, to verify the most current information on their Network participation status. Neither Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association nor any of its Licensees are responsible for any damages, losses, or non-covered charges that may result from using this Web site or receiving care from a provider listed in this Web site.