Bassett Medical Center Recognized for High-Quality Bariatric Surgery through Blue Distinction® Centers+ Designation from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield

Bassett Medical Center (d/b/a Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital) is proud to be recognized by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) with a Blue Distinction Center+ (BDC+) designation under the Blue Distinction® Centers for Bariatric Surgery program.

This program focuses on improving outcomes and guides adult and adolescent members to hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers that meet quality and safety standards for common weight-loss procedures, including laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and primary laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. BDC+ designated facilities have demonstrated expertise in patient safety, deliver better health outcomes, and were also more cost-effective for bariatric procedures.

"At Bassett, our bariatric surgeons are committed to helping their patients reach their weight loss goals and, in doing so, improve their overall health. We offer minimally-invasive options and patients receive comprehensive support before, during, and after each procedure. We are grateful to Excellus BlueCross BlueShield for this distinction, in recognition of the excellent care we provide," said Luis Oceguera, MD, Chief of Surgery for Bassett Healthcare Network.

To receive this designation, facilities must participate in Excellus BCBS's BlueCard Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) network and must be accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). MBSAQIP sets rigorous safety and quality standards, requires facilities to track outcomes over time, and confirms the expertise needed to perform weight-loss surgery safely.

All facilities designated under the Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery program have proven that they deliver higher-quality care under MBSAQIP's objective standards for bariatric procedures. On average, MBSAQIP accredited centers that are BDC designated have 49% fewer severe complications for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy¹ and 20% fewer severe complications for gastric bypass¹ compared to non-MBSAQIP-accredited facilities.

In addition to demonstrating higher-quality care, those facilities receiving the BDC+ designation also achieved 25% average cost savings¹ for bariatric procedures compared to all other non-designated facilities.

By meeting these criteria, Bassett Medical Center demonstrated a strong commitment to higher-quality and affordable care and remains at the forefront of bariatric surgery advancement.

Members treated at designated facilities benefit from specialized expertise and advanced practices that lead to improved recovery times and reduced complications, enhancing their overall health journey.

While bariatric surgery can be an important step toward better health, long-term outcomes also depend on healthy lifestyle habits such as balanced nutrition, regular exercise, behavioral support, and close collaboration with specialists to help members adhere to recommended treatments and medications.

"Congratulations to Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital on achieving this important quality recognition," said Tony Vitagliano, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Utica regional president. "The Blue Distinction designation is an important quality and transparency tool to help members make informed decisions about their health care."

Since 2005, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped members find quality specialty care-and, for those that meet the program's cost criteria, at lower costs-in the areas of bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, cellular immunotherapy, fertility care, knee and hip replacement, maternity care, spine surgery, substance use treatment and recovery, and transplants, while encouraging health care professionals to improve the quality of care they deliver.

For more information about the Blue Distinction program and for a complete listing of the designated providers, visit Excellus BCBS' website.

For more information on Bassett Healthcare Network's weight-loss surgery options, click here.

Several members of Bassett Medical Center's Bariatric Support team. From left to right, Michelle Hendricks, RN, Bariatric Program Clinical Coordinator; Darcy Finch, Program Coordinator; Stephanie Oceguera, MD, Bariatric Surgeon, Director of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery; Tabetha Atwell, Administrative Assistant for Medical Weight Loss; and Jessica Paddock, Administrative Assistant for Bariatric Surgery.

¹ Results from the 2026 Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Survey designation evaluations

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About Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, is a nonprofit health plan with 1.5 million upstate New York members. The company's mission is to help people live healthier and more secure lives through access to high-quality, affordable health care. Its products and services include cost-saving prescription drug discounts, wellness tracking tools and access to telemedicine. With more than 3,500 employees, the company is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce to foster innovation and better serve its members. It also encourages employees to engage in their communities by providing paid volunteer time off as one of many benefits. To learn more, visit ExcellusBCBS.com.

About the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans. BCBSA provides health care insights through The Health of America Report series and the national BCBS Health IndexSM. For more information on BCBSA and its member companies, please visit bcbs.com. We also encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and check out our blog.

About Blue Distinction CentersBlue Distinction Centers (BDC) met overall quality measures, developed with input from the medical community. A Local Blue Plan may require additional criteria for providers located in its own service area; for details, contact your Local Blue Plan. Blue Distinction Centers+ (BDC+) also met cost measures that address consumers' need for affordable healthcare. Each provider's cost of care is evaluated using data from its Local Blue Plan. Providers in CA, ID, NY, PA, and WA may lie in two Local Blue Plans' areas, resulting in two evaluations for cost of care; and their own Local Blue Plans decide whether one or both cost of care evaluation(s) must meet BDC+ national criteria. National criteria for BDC and BDC+ are displayed on https://www.bcbs.com. Individual outcomes may vary. For details on a provider's in-network status or your own policy's coverage, contact your Local Blue Plan and ask your provider before making an appointment. Neither Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association nor any Blue Plans are responsible for noncovered charges or other losses or damages resulting from Blue Distinction or other provider finder information or care received from Blue Distinction or other providers.

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