Lawrence General Hospital is proud to be recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts as a Blue Distinction
® Centers+ (BDC+) for Maternity Care, as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.
“We are extremely proud of the designation we have received from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts,” says Director of Maternal Child Health, Laura Federico, MSN, RN. “Our Labor and Delivery and Maternity teams work hard to provide the patients who reside in our community the best possible birth experience. This award is a reflection of the hard work and commitment of Lawrence General Hospital’s team of providers from our front door greeters to the Obstetricians. We are focused on striving for the highest quality of patient care and safety and are proud to be recognized for this commitment. We are privileged to work with our families to meet their unique and individualized birthing plans.”
Racial and ethnic disparities are persistent and widespread across maternal healthcare, primarily driven by socioeconomic status, geographic location, and implicit provider bias. Compared to similarly developed countries such as Canada, Germany, and Australia, the United State has the highest maternal mortality rate (MMR), at approximately 17.4 deaths per 100,000 live births, with the MMR steadily increasing since 2000
[1]. According to the CDC, non-Hispanic Black women are two to three times more likely to die from preventable or treatable pregnancy-related complications compared to white women
[2].
To help address these gaps in care and to help ensure the better health of mothers, The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association enhanced its quality evaluation for the Maternity Care program to address key factors driving the United States’ maternal health crisis, such as preventable or treatable pregnancy-related conditions, high utilization of Caesarean sections, and racial and ethnic disparities in maternal healthcare.
Overall, cost of care episodes for vaginal and cesarean births at BDC+ facilities are 20% less than those at non-Blue Distinction Centers+ facilities. The rates of Episiotomies were 49% less those at Blue Distinction Centers (BDC and BDC+) than at those at non-Blue Distinction Centers (BDC and BDC+). In 2018,
BDC/BDC+ facilities across the country cared for more than 40% of Blue Cross and Blue Shield commercially insured women giving birth.
For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated providers, visit
www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.