ROCKWALL, Texas — Texas Health Rockwall is proud to be recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas with a Blue Distinction® Centers+ for Bariatric Surgery designation, as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities that show a commitment to delivering high quality patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures developed with input from the medical community and leading accreditation and quality organizations.

The Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery program provides a full range of bariatric surgery care; including surgical care, post-operative care, outpatient follow-up care, and patient education.  Texas Health Rockwall is proud to be recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas for meeting the rigorous quality and cost selection criteria for bariatric surgery set by the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.

“Our center takes tremendous pride in the quality, comprehensive program of services we offer,” says Jane Cauley, Bariatric Center program director.  “We value the BDC+ criteria which aligns with our vision to make a significant, long lasting improvement in people’s lives as we have for over 1500 patients to date.”

Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severely obese patients because it allows for substantial, sustained weight loss, which leads to, improves, or resolves obesity-related co-morbidities like type 2 diabetes. On average, healthcare costs may be reduced by 29 percent within five years following bariatric surgery, due to the reduction or elimination of obesity-related conditions, based on findings by ASMBS.

To receive a Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery designation, a healthcare facility must demonstrate success in meeting patient safety measures as well as bariatric- specific quality measures, including complication and readmission rate for laparoscopic procedures in sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and adjustable gastric band. All designated facilities must also be nationally accredited at both the facility and bariatric program-specific levels.