Providence Alaska Medical Center Named Blue Distinction Center(SM) for Cardiac Care.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- In recognition of its adherence to national quality standards, Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska has named Providence Alaska Medical Center a Blue Distinction Center(SM) for Cardiac Care.

Blue Distinction is a nationwide program designed by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association to achieve two primary goals: engaging consumers to enable more informed healthcare decisions and collaborating with physicians and hospitals to improve quality outcomes and affordability. A key component of Blue Distinction is a specialty center program that offers the best practices and standards of care in select specialties.

"We are honored to be named a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care by Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska," said Al Parrish, chief executive of Providence Health & Services in Alaska. "At Providence Alaska Medical Center, our physicians, nurses and other clinicians work hard every day to provide compassionate care, while using research-based practices to improve patient outcomes. This award is a reflection of their commitment and their continuous pursuit of excellence."

The process used to select Blue Distinction Centers(SM) is based on clinical data supplied by hospitals. Each facility's processes and care outcomes are rigorously evaluated. The criteria for designation include nationally endorsed quality measures, developed in collaboration with medical experts and professional organizations.

"Providence's achievement reflects our commitment to working with doctors and hospitals that meet clinically validated quality standards and deliver better outcomes in patient care," says Eric Wall, MD Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska regional medical director. "We are proud that our members in Alaska have access to a facility with such a high standard of excellence."

The criteria for becoming a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care(SM) include:

* Full-service, accredited inpatient hospital facility;

* Program must be performing a required volume of percutaneous coronary interventions and coronary artery bypass graft surgeries and provide a full range of services including inpatient cardiac care and cardiac rehabilitation;

* Sub-specialty board certification of cardiac team;

* Ongoing quality management and improvement programs; and

* Cardiac care processes and outcomes for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, percutaneous coronary interventions and coronary artery bypass graft surgery including evaluation of complication and mortality rates.

About Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska

Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska (PBCBS of AK) is committed to better health for our members and more sustainable costs. The key to success is education and collaboration with members, employers, physicians and hospitals, and the extended healthcare community to encourage cost-conscious actions, improve medical quality and support members at every stage of health. Serving the residents of Alaska for nearly half a century, PBCBS of AK is committed to providing members with access to high-quality healthcare coverage and exceptional service.

PBCBS is a member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. It is a member of the Premera family of companies - a health benefits company serving nearly 1.6 million people from individuals to FORTUNE 100 companies. For more information, visit www.premera.com.

About Providence Alaska Medical Center

Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage is the largest hospital in Alaska, providing Alaskans with the state's most comprehensive range of health care services. Principal services of the 364-bed facility include the Heart Center, Cancer Center, The Children's Hospital at Providence, Maternity Center, Surgical Center, LifeGuard Alaska (air ambulance), Emergency Department, state-of-the-art diagnostics in imaging and the laboratory, behavioral health, and sports medicine and rehabilitation therapy. Providence Alaska Medical Center is part of Providence Health & Services, a non-profit health care organization with facilities in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Montana and California.