For Details, Contact:
Becky Kenny
Media Relations
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico
505-816-2012 or 505-999-8806
Albuquerque, New Mexico, May 7, 2008 – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM) has named the University of New Mexico Cancer Center as a Blue Distinction Center for Complex and Rare Cancers, focusing on complex inpatient and surgical care.
Blue Distinction is a designation awarded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to medical facilities that have demonstrated expertise in delivering quality health care. Building on the successful results of earlier programs focused on cardiac care, bariatric surgery, and transplants, the program was recently expanded to include the designation of 85 Blue Distinction Centers for Complex and Rare Cancers.
"The UNM Cancer Center is honored to partner with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico to provide the highest level of cancer care to New Mexicans," stated Dr. Cheryl Willman, Director and CEO of the UNM Cancer Center. "As one of only 63 National Cancer Institute-designated sites in the nation, the UNM Cancer Center is uniquely qualified to bring the latest in cancer diagnosis and treatment to every patient. Seventy-one doctors, 120 researchers, and 400 staff members from every cancer specialty will work together in multidisciplinary teams to find the best treatment plan for every Blue Cross patient and deliver it in a compassionate, culturally sensitive way. Together, we will bring hope to thousands of New Mexicans."
With plans to expand Blue Distinction into more common forms of cancer in the future, this initial phase assesses facilities on evaluation, treatment planning, complex inpatient care, and major surgical treatments; all delivered by teams with distinguished expertise and subspecialty training for complex and rare cancers. The program focuses on the following 13 cancers, which cumulatively account for approximately 15 percent of new cancer cases annually:
• Bladder cancer
• Bone cancer
• Brain cancer – primary
• Esophageal cancer
• Gastric cancer
• Head and neck cancers
• Liver cancer
• Ocular melanoma
• Pancreatic cancer
• Rectal cancer
• Soft tissue sarcomas
• Thyroid cancer – medullary or anaplastic
• Acute leukemia (inpatient, non-surgical)
The evidence-based selection criteria used to evaluate facilities were developed in strategic collaboration with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network* (NCCN) and with input from a panel of expert clinicians. To be designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Complex and Rare Cancers, University of New Mexico Cancer Center met the following selection criteria, among others posted by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association:
• Exceeds volume threshold for annual surgical cases treated
• Utilization of multidisciplinary team input for treatment planning, including subspecialty 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
"The Blue Distinction program of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association emphasizes our organizations' commitment to ensuring our members have access to quality, affordable health care. We want all our members to have the information they need to make better health care decisions. Blue Distinction highlights programs with strong track records of success," stated Dr. Matthew Fontana, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for BCBSNM. "Our New Mexico members are fortunate to have access to this level of care in our community, at the UNM Cancer Center."
"We commend the facilities that have been designated for treating complex and rare cancers. Blue Distinction promotes the consistent practice of evidence-based medicine," said Dr. Allan Korn, Chief Medical Officer for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. "The Blues are committed to working collaboratively with physicians and hospitals to raise the overall quality of health care in our nation. We understand that to deliver true patient-centered care, Blue Distinction Centers often need to coordinate care following a complex surgery or primary inpatient stay with patients’ local physicians."
BCBSNM 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 patients and their families, local physicians, the Blue Distinction Center, and BCBSNM.
For more information about complex and rare cancer care at UNM Cancer Center, call 505-272-2114 or visit UNM Cancer Center. For more information about Blue Distinction Centers, call 505-816-2139 or visit Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
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UNM Cancer Center Achieves local recognition – named the state's official cancer center by the New Mexico State Legislature.
In addition to being one of only 63 National Cancer Institute-designated sites in the nation, the UNM Cancer Center was named the state’s official cancer center by the New Mexico State Legislature. The UNM Cancer Center treats almost half of the adults in the state who are newly diagnosed with cancer and virtually all of the children.
Seventy-one doctors representing every cancer specialty lead multidisciplinary teams that work together to develop individualized treatment plans for every patient. Doctors hail from such prestigious institutions as M.D. Anderson, Sloan Kettering, and the Mayo Clinic.
More than 120 nationally-recognized UNM Cancer Center scientists are on the leading edge of research in women’s cancers, leukemia, and lung cancer, bringing the latest cancer drugs and treatment to New Mexicans impacted by cancer. The center has four major research programs supported by $51 million in federal grants.
The UNM Cancer Care Network added an outreach clinic in Las Cruces last year and is establishing clinics in Santa Fe and Farmington. The network also supports Native American and rural cancer education and outreach programs that extend into some of the most remote areas of New Mexico.
The UNM Cancer Center is building a state-of-the-art cancer treatment and research facility. The 196,000 square foot building will be completed in April 2009, and will accommodate more than 200,000 patient visits every year.
* This organization has provided information and input but does not formally endorse the Blue Distinction Centers program.
Note: Designation as Blue Distinction Centers means 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 any facilities, please call your local Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield Plan.
