The Sansum Clinic Bariatric Surgery program has been designated as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence program recognizes surgeons and facilities that demonstrate an unparalleled commitment and ability to consistently deliver safe, effective, evidence-based care in Santa Barbara. The program is structured to help bariatric surgery providers continuously improve care quality and patient safety. The ASMBS Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence (BSOE) program’s objective requirements and evaluation processes were developed in conjunction with leading bariatric surgeons, hospital administrators, health plans, researchers and patient advocates. A commitment to long-term patient care and success necessitates that the requirements be comprehensive, research-based and verified through a rigorous site inspection.

Truly excellent patient care is the result of both the individual surgeon and the facility at which the surgery is performed. The BSCOE designation is therefore awarded to both the surgeon and facility, which enables patients to distinguish specific providers who have met the requirements for delivering high-quality perioperative and long-term follow-up care from those who do not.

The BSCOE designation currently enables reimbursement from major health insurers, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), CIGNA, Humana,Kaiser Permanente,and Blue Cross and Blue Shield. More than 262 million Americans are insured by health plans that recognize the BSCOE designation.

“Earning the ASMBS Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence designation signifies our ability to consistently deliver the safest, highest-quality care to bariatric surgery patients,” said Dr. Zerey. “The ASMBS BSCOE program fosters quality improvement in bariatric surgery, and participation has focused our team on exceeding clinical benchmarks and guidelines. But most importantly, our commitment to excellence improves the health and well-being of our patients.”

Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® is a registered trademark of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Used by permission of ASMBS. All rights reserved.