Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago Earns Blue Distinction® Specialty Care Designation for Fertility Care
CHICAGO, March 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Michelle Catenacci, M.D. and Gary Jones, M.D. from Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago (AFCC), part of the Prelude Network, are pleased to announce they are among the first physicians to receive the Blue Distinction Centers for Fertility Care designation, as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally recognized for showing their expertise in delivering improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community and leading accreditation and quality organizations.
Between 1987 and 2015, one million babies were born through the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF) or other assisted reproductive technology treatments, according to a study published in the 2015 Assisted Reproductive Technology National Summary Report.1 The Blue Distinction Centers for Fertility Care program evaluates physicians on several quality measures, including requiring physicians to follow the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) guidelines on single embryo transfer, which decreases the multiple pregnancy rate associated with IVF. Additionally, designated physicians must meet quality measures and standards set by the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) – the country's leading organization for assisted reproductive technology.
"We understand the emotional, physical, and financial challenges of infertility, and work to support our patients throughout this difficult journey in every way possible. We are honored by this designation recognizing the quality care Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago consistently provides," said AFCC's Medical Director Michelle Catenacci, M.D.
"Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is proud to offer this important recognition," said Derek Robinson, MD, MBA, FACEP, CHCQM, chief medical officer, BCBSIL. "It's one of the ways we're partnering with members, employers, providers and communities to help achieve their health goals."
Physicians recognized with this designation are assessed using a combination of quality information supplied by physicians, third party registry data, and cost measures derived from Blue Cross Blue Shield companies' medical claims.
Since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality specialty care in the areas of bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, cellular immunotherapy, fertility care, gene therapy, knee and hip replacements, maternity care, spine surgery, and transplants, while encouraging health care professionals to improve the care they deliver. Research shows that, compared to other providers, those designated as Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients.
For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated providers, visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.
About Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago
Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago, with offices in Chicago, Gurnee and Crystal Lake, IL and part of the Prelude network, offers advanced reproductive technology services such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and egg donation and genetic analysis of embryos. Part of the Prelude Network, AFCC also provides egg donation, fertility preservation via egg freezing, gestational surrogacy and LGBT family building, with a focus on compassionate and individualized care of the highest possible quality. https://www.AdvancedFertility.com
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is committed to expanding access to quality, cost-effective health care to as many people as possible in Illinois. BCBSIL is dedicated to innovation and exploring, nurturing and activating future possibilities to make the health care system work better for our members and our communities. BCBSIL is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Learn more at bcbsil.com and follow @BCBSIL on twitter and @bluecrossblueshieldofillinois on Facebook.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans. BCBSA provides health care insights through Blue Cross Blue Shield, The Health of America Report® series and the national BCBS Health IndexSM. For more information on BCBSA and its member companies, please visit BCBS.com. We also encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube and follow us on Twitter.
About Blue Distinction Centers
Blue Distinction Centers (BDC) met overall quality measures, developed with input from the medical community. A Local Blue Plan may require additional criteria for providers located in its own service area; for details, contact your Local Blue Plan. Blue Distinction Centers+ (BDC+) also met cost measures that address consumers' need for affordable healthcare. Each provider's cost of care is evaluated using data from its Local Blue Plan. Providers in CA, ID, NY, PA, and WA may lie in two Local Blue Plans' areas, resulting in two evaluations for cost of care; and their own Local Blue Plans decide whether one or both cost of care evaluation(s) must meet BDC+ national criteria. National criteria for BDC and BDC+ are displayed on www.bcbs.com. Individual outcomes may vary. For details on a provider's in-network status or your own policy's coverage, contact your Local Blue Plan and ask your provider before making an appointment. Neither Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association nor any Blue Plans are responsible for non-covered charges or other losses or damages resulting from Blue Distinction or other provider finder information or care received from Blue Distinction or other providers.
MEDIA CONTACT:
For Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago:
Lori Butler
[email protected]
(847) 567-9599
1 2015 Assisted Reproductive Technology National Summary Report https://www.cdc.gov/art/pdf/2015-report/ART-2015-National-Summary-Report.pdf
SOURCE Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago
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