GastroIntestinal Healthcare Designated as Tier 1 Practice for Gastroenterology Providers by BCBSNC

RALEIGH, NC, February 21, 2013 (Press-News.org) GastroIntestinal Healthcare is proud to announce its recent designation by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina as a Tier 1 network provider among gastroenterology practices. BCBSNC's new Tiered Network product was created to offer consumers the opportunity to maximize benefits and coverage at preferred PPO (preferred provider organization) facilities and providers that meet specified product quality and cost criteria.

BCBSNC analyzed and tiered five provider specialties to align with the overall benefit design of the new tiered network product: gastroenterology, cardiology, general surgery, obstetrics/gynecology, and orthopedic surgery. Practices were aligned and segmented by their specialty area and measured against a quality rating based on preventative care, appropriate care, appropriate care outcomes, and utilization of registries (for GI and General Surgery specialties). Practices that met the quality rating were then measured against a cost rating. Those practices that exceeded both the quality and cost thresholds set for analysis were designed at Tier 1 practices. All other practices were designated as Tier 2.

Being a Tier 1 provider assures patients that they are receiving the highest quality of care at the lowest possible cost. GastroIntestinal Healthcare practice administrator, Nancy O'Neill, says that she is proud of her practice's recent designation and what it represents.

"This designation reinforces our continued commitment of providing the highest level of quality care to our patients at the lowest possible financial impact," says O'Neill. "We are proud to have our efforts recognized by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and to be included in their Tiered Network product."

GastroIntestinal Healthcare specializes in the diagnoses and treatment of gastrointestinal ailments and diseases, including heartburn, acid reflux, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), diarrhea, constipation, ulcers, Crohn's Disease and Colitis. The practice also provides colorectal cancer screenings. GastroIntestinal Healthcare offers the convenience of an on-site, state-of-the-art endoscopy facility, located adjacent to their clinic office.

About GastroIntestinal Healthcare
GastroIntestinal Healthcare is dedicated to "improving your health from the inside out". The practice focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive tract—the esophagus, stomach, colon, small and large bowel, gallbladder, and liver—and is conveniently located in North Raleigh, just off of Route 540. GastroIntestinal Healthcare has its own onsite licensed endoscopy center and is accredited and fully certified by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (Medicare), Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of North Carolina. For more information, call (919) 870-1311 or visit http://www.gihealthcare.net.

Media Contact:
Louise Cottrell
FireBrand Marketing, Inc.
louisec@firebrandmarketing.com
(919) 848-1025