Regional West Recognized for High-Quality Bariatric Surgery through Blue Distinction® Centers for Bariatric Surgery Program

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., ― Regional West’s Bariatric & Weight Loss Surgery program is proud to be recognized by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska 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 and deliver better health outcomes.

“The Blue Distinction program gives members confidence that they are choosing facilities that have met rigorous, evidence-based standards for quality, safety and patient outcomes,” said Dr. Amy Helwig, chief medical officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska. “We congratulate Regional West on earning this designation for bariatric surgery and commend its commitment to helping patients receive high-quality care as they take important steps toward improved health.”

To receive this designation, facilities must participate in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska’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, BDC designated facilities have 37% fewer total (overall) and 49% fewer severe (life-threatening) complications for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy^[1], and 14% fewer total and 20% fewer severe complications for gastric bypass¹ compared to non-MBSAQIP-accredited facilities.

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

"Regional West’s Bariatric & Weight Loss Surgery program is proud to be a leader in weight loss care. This designation reflects our commitment to providing the best care possible to our patients,” said Jason LaTowsky, MD, the program’s medical director.

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.

Blue Distinction Center programs help consumers find quality for their specialty care needs, while also encouraging healthcare professionals to improve the overall delivery of care nationwide. 

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.

More information about the Blue Distinction program and a complete listing of the designated providers can be found here.

About Regional West
 Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Nebraska is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, the only advanced trauma hospital in Nebraska west of North Platte. Since 1924, Regional West has served the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming through innovative healthcare services. As the region’s sole tertiary medical center, Regional West offers an expansive array of medical specialties and numerous physician clinics.

All companies and trademarks listed above are the property of their respective owners and used for identification purposes only and are in no way associated or affiliated with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Use of these trademarks does not imply endorsement. The Blue Cross^® and Blue Shield^® names and symbols and Blue Distinction^® are registered trademarks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska is part of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield system, a national association of 33 independent, community-based and locally operated companies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield represents the nation’s largest and most experienced health insurance brands, collectively covering one in three Americans. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska has been providing security and peace of mind to its members since 1939. 

Learn more about BCBSNE at NebraskaBlue.com. 

About the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a national federation of independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans. 

About Blue Distinction Centers

Blue 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 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

^[1] Based on the 2026 BDC for Bariatric Surgery designation evaluations.