Can anyone confirm this?

I just heard word from my surgeon's office that NONE of the hospital in the Metro-Detroit area received the approval as a Center of Excellence. I was told the closest program will be in Flint. Can anyone confirm this? If this is the case, will that mean that all the hospitals and programs in Metro Detroit will no longer accept new patients? If so, this is BIG news. As a co-chair of a support group, I am wondering how this will affect support groups. Mt. Clemens General had done about 400 surgeries and we only have about 10 active support group members. Does anyone else attend a support group in the Metro Detroit area? How many active members do you have? I'm wondering if support groups in the area are going to have to merge if there will no longer be any new patients. If anyone has information, please post. Jon

Here is blue care networks centers of excellence: The six hospitals that have earned the Blue Care Network Bariatric Center of Excellence designation include: Southeast Michigan -- Harper University Hospital, Detroit, and Henry Ford Health System, Detroit. East Michigan -- Hurley Medical Center, Flint. West Michigan -- Mercy General Health Partners, Muskegon; Munson Medical Center, Traverse City, and Spectrum Health - Blodgett Campus, Grand Rapids. Requirements for the BCN Bariatric Center of Excellence designation include: The hospital is an acute care inpatient facility that includes intensive care and emergency room services Performance of bariatric surgeries for the most recent 18- to 24-month period, and an average of over 100 bariatric surgeries annually Data management systems, patient education and patient management plans A patient follow-up rate of at least 70 percent Sixty-one facilities throughout Michigan have been designated as BCN Low Back Pain Centers of Excellence. For a list of all the centers, visit www.MiBCN.com/coe.

Thanks Linda! I'm glad to hear that Harper and Henry Ford are on the list. Jon

Jon, BCBS Centers of Excellance are different from Medicare and Medicaid Centers of Excellance. Harper is both a BCBS and Medicare Center of Excellance. Jeanne

Totally untrue Jon. Lina has already listed the centers of excellence. MAybe you could let your surgeons office know that they are giving out information that is inaccurate. God bless, FF

Okay, what does FF stand for? You've got me wondering. Why are you on moderation? Hugs Linda

Hi Linda, It's 'cause I'm a bad girl LOL No I'm on someone elses computer, and couldn't remember my log on name or password so I created a new account. It was suposed to be flyingfox (hence the FF) but it shows my real name instead ~guess I did it wrong go figure grrr God bless, Annette

I read the Bible once. Took me four years. Hmmmm Hmmmm. kp

I don't understand all of it, but I reckon I understand a good deal of it. hmmmmmm-mmmm You ought not talk that way. You just a boy. hmmmmmm-mmmm

You have made my day!!!!!! "Ain't nuthin a boy yer age out to be thinkin' 'bout" Hmmm Hmmmmmmm. kp