Saint Joseph London Recognized for Spine Surgery, Hip & Knee Replacement

LONDON, Ky. (Oct. 28, 2025) – Saint Joseph London has been recognized by Anthem BCBS with a Blue Distinction® Center (BDC) for Spine Surgery designation. In addition, the hospital was recertified as Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement, but with an added plus for more affordable quality care, treatment experience and patient results.

This program identifies hospitals and ambulatory care centers that demonstrate expertise in patient safety and deliver better health outcomes. Quality assessments are based on objective measures developed from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association’s (BCBSA) partnership with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

This designation is a testament to the rigorous standards met by Saint Joseph London. Designated spine facilities provide high-quality care, with an average of 28% fewer readmissions and 29% fewer complications within 90 days after spine surgery. Designated knee and hip replacement facilities deliver high-quality care, with an average of 21% fewer readmissions and 21% fewer complications within 90 days after knee and hip replacement surgery.

Patients treated at designated facilities benefit from the expertise and advanced practices that lead to improved recovery times and reduced complications making a significant difference in their overall health journey.

“The board certified orthopedic surgeons at Saint Joseph London have continued to offer the highest quality of care to the people in our community,” said John C. Yanes, president, Saint Joseph London. “We are proud that in just a short time, our spine surgery has been recognized as a high quality program. With a comprehensive approach to care, and one of the only area practices that offers advanced technology treatment options, Saint Joseph London offers residents of London and other nearby communities access to high quality orthopedic care close to home. Saint Joseph London is honored to receive this national designation that recognizes our dedication and elevated care we provide to our spine and hip and knee replacement patients.”

Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement help consumers find quality care, while also encouraging health care professionals to improve the overall delivery of care nationwide.

Among other criteria, to receive a designation, facilities must:

• Have full accreditation from at least one national accrediting organization as either a hospital or ambulatory surgery center
• Have low complication, mortality and unplanned readmission rates within 90 days after elective primary total knee and hip replacements
• Have enhanced recovery after surgery processes and procedures in place for quality perioperative care
• Participate in Anthem BCBS Kentucky BlueCard Preferred Provider Organization Network

By meeting these stringent criteria, Saint Joseph London not only highlights its commitment to high quality health care but also commits to remaining at the forefront of advancements in spine surgery, and in knee and hip replacements.

To further improve patient outcomes and inform treatment strategies, BCBSA utilized the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American Joint Replacement Registry for more evidence-based performance measures and patient reported outcome measures.

Since 2005, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality specialty care 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.

For more information about the Blue Distinction Specialty Care  program and for a complete listing of the designated providers, visit the Anthem website.

About Saint Joseph Health

Saint Joseph Health, part of CommonSpirit Health, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with 100 locations in 20 counties, including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes, home health agencies and an ambulatory Care Center. The hospitals in Saint Joseph Health are Flaget Memorial Hospital, Saint Joseph Berea, Saint Joseph East, Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph Jessamine, Saint Joseph London, Saint Joseph Mount Sterling, and Women’s Hospital at Saint Joseph East. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. Saint Joseph Health is dedicated to providing a wide array of services toward a goal of building a healthier future for all. HI Saint Joseph Health embodies a strong mission and faith-based heritage and works through local partnerships to expand access to care in the communities it serves.

About Saint Joseph London

Saint Joseph London is a 150-bed full-service hospital located in London, Kentucky. Established in 1926, the facility serves patients from southeastern Kentucky, including those from Clay, Laurel, Jackson, Whitley, Knox and Pulaski counties. The current $152 million regional hospital opened in 2010, and offers all private patient rooms, with most overlooking a small lake and garden on the 52-acre healing environment.

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. BCBSA provides health care insights through The Health of America Report series and the national BCBS Health IndexSM. For more information on BCBSA and its member companies, please visit bcbs.com. 

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.