News Releases

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa and Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc. Name Blue Distinction Centers For Complex and Rare Cancers

Contact:
Angela Feig
515.245.4551
feigab@wellmark.com

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa and Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc. have named two Iowa hospitals Blue Distinction Centers for Complex and Rare Cancers^SM as part of a nationwide program with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and other Blue Plans across the country.

John Stoddard Cancer Center at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines and Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at The University of Iowa within University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City were selected as national Blue Distinction Centers for Complex and Rare Cancers.  More than 80 hospitals across 33 states were selected for offering comprehensive inpatient cancer care programs for adults that are delivered by multidisciplinary teams with subspecialty training and distinguished clinical expertise.  With the expansion of the Blue Distinction Centers, more than 780 Blue Distinction Centers are available to members nationwide in the areas of cardiac care, bariatric surgery, and transplants, as well as complex and rare cancers.

Complex and rare cancers comprise approximately 15 percent of new cancer cases each year, making it difficult for consumers to locate or research facilities with oncologists or surgical teams experienced in treating the following complex and rare subtypes of cancer:

• acute leukemia (inpatient/non-surgical)
• 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

“Of our more than two million Wellmark members, the number diagnosed each year with one of these complex or rare cancers is relatively small,” says Rick Miller, D.O., medical director, Wellmark.  “Members and providers may be uncertain where to turn for treatment.  We believe it is important for them to know which facilities have the necessary experience and ability to deliver high quality care for these unusual conditions.

“Most general oncologists and surgeons see very few patients with these types of cancer,” Miller adds.  “Because the volume of these cases is so low, treatment and outcomes for these cancers can vary by physician and by facility.  The Blue Distinction designation gives patients a resource to find providers who have ample experience in treating their particular form of cancer.”

John Stoddard Cancer Center (Iowa Methodist Medical Center) in Des Moines was chosen for having expertise in these complex and rare cancers:  bladder; esophageal; gastric; pancreatic; and rectal.  Iowa Methodist Medical Center also was selected in 2006 as a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care.

“Receiving this national award is a special honor to the employees and physicians who work at John Stoddard Cancer Center and Iowa Methodist,” said Dan Kollmorgen, M.D., FACS, surgical oncologist and medical director at John Stoddard Cancer Center. “This award reflects not only our dedication to providing quality healthcare to our patients but also to the time, effort, technology and coordination required to treat these unusual and complex tumors. We will continue to pursue opportunities that will allow us even higher standards of care for cancer patients.”

University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics (Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center) in Iowa City was chosen for having expertise in these complex and rare cancers:  bladder; brain-primary; esophageal; gastric; head and neck; pancreatic; bone; ocular melanoma; rectal; and thyroid – medullary and/or anaplastic.  University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics also was named in 2006 as a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care and a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery.

“Receiving this designation yet again confirms the high level of care we provide to the broad spectrum of our patients,” said George Weiner, MD, director, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and C.E. Block Chair of Cancer Research. “Our NCI designation as a comprehensive cancer center speaks to the breadth and depth of our cancer research.  We appreciate this recognition from Wellmark of our efforts to the knowledge that comes from this research to reduce the suffering and deaths caused by cancer among Iowans.”

Facilities selected as Blue Distinction Centers for Complex and Rare Cancers feature:

• Multi-disciplinary team input, including sub-specialty trained teams for complex and rare cancers and demonstrated depth of expertise across cancer disciplines in medicine, surgery, radiation oncology, pathology and radiology
• Ongoing quality management and improvement programs for cancer care
• Ongoing commitment to using clinical data registries and providing access to appropriate clinical research for complex and rare cancers
• Sufficient volume of experience in treating rare and complex cancers

Blue Distinction Centers for Complex and Rare Cancers were developed in strategic collaboration with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network* (NCCN) and input from leading clinicians and professional organizations.

Although the Blue Distinction Centers for Complex and Rare Cancers have met criteria and standards for identification as “specialty centers,” this does not imply any guarantee of a positive outcome or endorsement by Wellmark or the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.  Not all health plans provide benefits for all cancer treatments. 

More information about John Stoddard Cancer Center is available at www.johnstoddardcancer.org.  More information about Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center is available at www.uihealthcare.com.

*This organization has provided information and input, but does not formally endorse the blue Distinction Centers program.

Wellmark, Inc. (www.wellmark.com) does business as Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa.  Wellmark and its subsidiaries and affiliated companies, including Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Dakota and Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc., insure or pay health benefit claims for more than two million members in Iowa and South Dakota.  Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Dakota, and Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc. are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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