title: Centers of excellence take tiering to the max.
abstract: Insurers assert that by designating centers of excellence, they direct patients to the best care. Critics charge the concept is a contracting gimmick and will hurt small hospitals.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Haugh
mesh_terms: D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019985:Benchmarking; D017046:Cost Savings; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006764:Hospitals, Community / Q000191:economics; D006782:Hospitals, Special / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007343:Insurance Carriers / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D008511:Medicine / Q000592:standards; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D013038:Specialization; D014481:United States