Horizon BCBSNJ’s Regional Programs of Quality evaluates and reports quality clinical information of participating hospitals for comprehensive cancer centers. This information is available to members and physicians to find the highest quality participating hospitals available. Horizon BCBSNJ referenced those facilities designated as either Comprehensive or Clinical Cancer Centers by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in recognizing selected Regional Programs of Quality for comprehensive cancer services.

NCI reviews and designates cancer programs across the country. An NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center or Clinical Cancer Center conducts research programs for basic cancer, clinical situations, prevention, and control, and performs community outreach and education. NCI-selected centers consistently display an interactive research approach aimed at reducing the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of cancer. These centers are reevaluated every three to five years.

The participating hospitals that have achieved NCI status designation and been recognized by Horizon BCBSNJ’s 2005 Regional Programs of Quality for cancer services are:

• Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, PA
• Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital — Philadelphia, PA
• The Cancer Institute of New Jersey located at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital — New Brunswick, NJ

These facilities may best fit members’ health care needs when scheduling oncology treatment.