Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Announces Designations for Blue Distinction Centers of Excellence for Maternity Care

May 5, 2021 - Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi is proud to announce the designation of Baptist Memorial Desoto, Baptist Memorial Golden Triangle and Singing River Health Systems-Ocean Springs as Blue Distinction Centers of Excellence for Maternity Care.

Quality healthcare with healthier outcomes for moms and babies is the goal of the Blue Distinction Center of Excellence for Maternity Care Designation. Blue Distinction Maternity Care Network Hospitals must first be designated by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, based on national criteria around quality, cost and total value, and then meet additional criteria as defined in the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi’s Maternity Quality Model.

The Maternity Quality Model is a statewide initiative focusing on maternity best practices, improving maternal infant health outcomes and making childbirth safer. Network Hospitals who achieve Blue Distinction demonstrate a commitment to practicing evidence-based care for moms and babies.

“The Blue Distinction for Maternity Care designation recognizes healthcare providers that deliver high quality care to their patients safely, efficiently and in a cost-effective manner,” said Dr. Thomas Fenter, Chief Medical Officer for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi. “We value the commitment Network Hospitals and Network Physicians have shown to improve maternity care in Mississippi and will continue to highlight and support their efforts.”

By implementing programs that progressively raise the bar on physician quality, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi is providing Mississippians access to quality Network Providers who practice evidence-based medicine, with the overall goal of healthier Mississippians. Research confirms that Blue Distinction Centers of Excellence demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients and lower rates of complications and readmissions than their healthcare peers.

The Blue Distinction Center of Excellence designation is one component of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi’s quality of care partnership with its Network Providers, and illustrates how quality and cost-effective healthcare choices for improved health are what the “Value of Blue” represents to Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Members.