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Wellmark recognizes University of Iowa professionals for demonstrating quality, more affordable fertility care

January 23, 2020

DES MOINES, IA – Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield announced that six physicians in the Center for Advanced Reproductive Care at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics have been designated as Blue Distinction® Centers+ under the Blue Distinction Centers for Fertility Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated providers who show expertise in delivering improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community and leading accreditation and quality organizations.

The Blue Distinction Centers for Fertility Care program evaluates physicians on several quality measures, including requiring physicians to follow the American Society for Reproductive Medicine guidelines on single embryo transfer, which decreases the multiple pregnancy rate associated with IVF. Physicians must meet quality measures and standards set by the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology – the country's leading organization for assisted reproductive technology. Physicians receiving a Blue Distinction Center+ designation must also demonstrate better cost-efficiency compared to their peers.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies across the nation have recognized more than 200 physicians under the Blue Distinction Centers for Fertility Care program. Only those physicians that first meet nationally established quality measures for Blue Distinction Centers are considered for designation as Blue Distinction Centers+.

The following Center for Advanced Reproductive Care physicians at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics have been designated as Blue Distinction Centers+ for the Fertility Care program:

  • Eyup Duran, MD
  • Abey Eapen, MD
  • Jessica Kresowik, MD
  • Rachel Mejia, DO
  • Ginny Ryan, MD
  • Bradley Van Voorhis, MD

Since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality specialty care in the areas of bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, cellular immunotherapy, fertility care, gene therapy, knee and hip replacements, maternity care, spine surgery, and transplants, while encouraging health care professionals to improve the care they deliver. Research shows that, compared to other providers, those designated as Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients. On average, Blue Distinction Centers+ are also 20 percent more cost-efficient than non-Blue Distinction Center+ designated providers.

For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated providers, visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction External Site.

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