July 23, 2020

Because the opioid epidemic continues to be a threat to the public health of South Carolinians, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina has named 14 treatment facilities as Blue Distinction Centers for Substance Use Treatment and Recovery — a designation acknowledging providers that deliver high quality care with the best health outcomes.

Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated facilities that show a commitment to delivering improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed with input from the community and leading accreditation and quality organizations.

The 14 treatment centers are:

• Anderson Oconee Behavioral Health
• Behavioral Health Services
• Charleston Center
• Counseling Services of Lancaster
• Fairfield Behavioral Health Services
• The Forrester Center for Behavioral Health
• Keystone Substance Abuse Services
• Lexington Richland Alcohol
• Medical University Hospital
• Pavillon Greenville Outpatient
• Springbrook Behavioral
• The Phoenix Center
• Tri County Commission on Alcohol
• Waypoint Recovery Center

The Blue Distinction Centers for Substance Use Treatment and Recovery designation requires facilities to deliver coordinated multidisciplinary care to patients and provide timely access to quality medical and psychosocial care in all phases of treatment. Designated facilities must also offer medication-assisted treatment, which includes both a medication component and behavioral therapy.

“We’re pleased to acknowledge these facilities for their expertise in providing safe and cost-efficient services to combat the opioid epidemic,” said April Richardson, medical director for BlueCross. “We’re working together to improve the health and well-being of members in our community.”

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, substance use treatment and recovery, and transplants, while encouraging health care professionals to improve the care they deliver. Research for many programs shows that, compared to other providers, those designated as Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients.

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

About BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina

Headquartered in Columbia, and operating in South Carolina for more than 70 years, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The only South Carolina-owned and operated health insurance carrier, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina comprises more than 20 companies involved in health insurance services, U.S. DoD health programs and Medicare contracts, other insurance and employee benefits services, and a philanthropic foundation that funds programs to improve health care and access to health care for South Carolinians.