Quality Blue Programs

Through this program, we work with health care providers to make it easier for you to get the care you need. If you are seeing a Quality Blue provider, you are already included in the program.

This program has benefits like keeping up with care, reminders, and possibly lower copayments.

You can tell us what you thought of a doctor visit you had by giving a patient review. You can also see the reviews other members have given by clicking the “Read Reviews” tab next to a doctor’s listing in the directory.

How can I submit a patient review?

1. If you have an online account, go to the Claims page. If you don't have an account, create one.
2. Go to the claims details for the doctor visit or service you want to review.
3. Click "Write a Review" (available for the completed claims only).
4. Submit your review when you have filled out all the information

We will hold your review for 24 hours so we can make sure your information is valid. After that, your review will displayed on the Louisiana Blue Find a Doctor/Hospital directory.

Blue Distinction is a national program that recognizes hospitals for their expertise in performing certain types of surgeries or specialty care. The national Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association offers this program, and the local Louisiana Blue plan gives the designations to hospitals and medical facilities if they demonstrate they are delivering high-quality, efficient, value-based, patient-centered care. 

There are two categories:

1. Blue Distinction® Centers – this recognizes hospitals for their expertise in delivering quality specialty care.
2. Blue Distinction® Centers+ -- this recognizes hospitals that are meeting the Blue Distinction quality criteria and are keeping costs under control.  

The standards for Blue Distinction recognition are on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association’s webpage.

Hospitals/medical facilities can earn Blue Distinction recognition for these types of surgeries and specialty care:

• Bariatric Surgery(Gastric Banding and Gastric Stapling)
• Cancer Care
• Cardiac Care
• Cellular Immunotherapy (CAR-T)
• Fertility Care
• Gene Therapy (Ocular Disorders)
• Knee and Hip Replacement
• Maternity Care
• Spine Surgery
• Substance Use Treatment and Recovery
• Transplant (Bone Marrow/Solid Organ)

In Louisiana, there are many hospitals that have earned Blue Distinction recognition, including many of the major health systems in the state. See the list of Louisiana’s Blue Distinction centers.

How do I know if a hospital has Blue Distinction recognition?
When you are looking for a hospital in our Find a Doctor/Hospital directory, the ones that are Blue Distinction Centers or Blue Distinction Centers+ have the program logos next to their names.

When a hospital gets Blue Distinction recognition, Louisiana Blue gives the hospital materials to do banners or posters that say the hospital is a Blue Distinction Center. You may see this in a hospital’s ads or commercials, too.

You can ask your doctor for help finding a Blue Distinction Center if you are not sure whether a hospital is one.

List of Blue Distinction Centers in Louisiana