New Blue Cross Blue Shield Transparency Program

On June 8, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association announced its new Blue Distinction program which, according to the Association, includes the following components:

• "Blue Distinction National Transparency Demonstration -- A national transparency demonstration by 17 Blue Plans ensures that we are providing consumers with the most effective ways to learn about absolute and relative healthcare costs.
  
  
• Blue Distinction Centers^{SM --} The Blue Distinction Centers identify quality providers of bariatric surgery, cardiac care and transplant services nationwide.
  
  
• Blue Distinction Provider Measurement and Improvement Program^{SM --} The Blue Distinction Provider Measurement and Improvement Program integrates provider performance metrics from public sources into a national framework for improving healthcare quality."