Insurers Honor Program for High-Quality, Cost-effective Care
ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah bariatric center, in a partnership with Midwest Bariatric Solutions/Surgical Associates, has received recognition from two insurance providers for providing high-quality, cost-effective care.
OPTUM re-verified the bariatric center as a center of excellence while Blue Cross Blue Shield renewed the program’s bariatric blue distinction center plus rating. Both honors recognize the program’s expertise and cost efficiency in delivering specialized bariatric care. OPTUM and Blue Cross Blue Shield have recognized the bariatric center annually since 2007.
The benefits to bariatric surgery go far beyond the weight loss seen in the mirror as recent studies have shown it leads to remission or significantly improves related diseases and conditions that are commonly associated with it, such as type II diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. As obesity and its related conditions continue to rise, OPTUM and Blue Cross Blue Shield verifications will help people identify facilities that provide the optimal obesity care services.
Ninety-six percent of program patients with Type 2 diabetes no longer needed medication 36 months after surgery, which is higher than the national average of 83 percent. In addition, patients also saw a decline in sleep apnea (93 percent), reflux (99 percent) and the need for high blood pressure medication (72 percent).
For more than 100 years, ThedaCare™ has been committed to finding a better way to deliver serious and complex healthcare to patients throughout Northeast Wisconsin. The organization serves over 200,000 patients annually and employs more than 6,800 healthcare professionals throughout the region. ThedaCare has seven hospitals located in Appleton, Neenah, Berlin, Waupaca, Shawano, New London and Wild Rose as well as 32 clinics in nine counties. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care Network Member, giving our specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts on a patient’s care. ThedaCare is a non-profit healthcare organization with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs as well as a foundation dedicated to community service.
