Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana has selected Good Samaritan as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement, part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated health care facilities shown to deliver improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies with input from the medical community.

Knee and hip replacement procedures are among the fastest growing medical treatments in the U.S., according to studies published in the June 2014 Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Hospitals designated as Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement demonstrate expertise in total knee and total hip replacement surgeries, resulting in fewer patient complications and hospital readmissions. Designated hospitals must also maintain national accreditation.

Good Samaritan is proud to be recognized by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield for meeting the robust selection criteria for knee and hip replacements set by the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.

“We are honored to be recognized for the quality knee and hip replacement services we provide,” said Rob McLin, President and CEO. “Achieving the Blue Distinction encourages us to provide safe, quality care to our patients.”

“Anthem is pleased to recognize Good Samaritan,” said Robert W. Hillman, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana. “As a Blue Distinction Center, Good Samaritan is proving high quality, cost effective care that we believe often leads to better health outcomes.”

Since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality providers for their specialty care needs in the areas of bariatric surgery, cardiac care, complex and rare cancers, knee and hip replacements, maternity care, spine surgery, and transplants, while encouraging health care professionals to improve the care they deliver.

For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated facilities, please visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.