Centers of Excellence

Centers of Excellence are medical facilities proven to deliver superior results for complicated, costly surgical procedures, including bariatric surgery, cancer, cardiac care, maternity, transplants, knee and hip replacements, and spinal surgery.

When you offer any of the three medical coverage options — PPO, EPO, and HDHP — employees who enroll and their covered family members will have access to Centers of Excellence designated medical facilities. These facilities are proven to deliver superior results for complicated, costly surgical procedures.

The designation is given to facilities that meet evidence-based, objective criteria established with input from expert physicians and medical organizations. Overall, patients treated at Centers of Excellence have

  • better outcomes;
  • fewer complications;
  • fewer readmissions; and
  • lower total cost of care.

If the member must travel more than 100 miles to a Center of Excellence, they are eligible for a travel benefit of up to $10,000.

Specialty care benefits

When select procedures in the following four areas are performed at Centers of Excellence, the plan pays 100 percent of allowable facility charges after the annual plan deductible is met:

  • bariatric surgery
  • transplants
  • knee and hip replacements
  • spinal surgery

Read more details about using this benefit.

Costs for employers

There is no additional cost to employers. This benefit is automatically included with coverage when you offer the PPO, EPO, and/or HDHP.