From left, are Robin Matchett, director of medical clinics at Aspirus Iron River; Dr. Marites Ansay, Aspirus Iron River physician; and Linda St. Arnauld, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Ansay, a family medicine physician at Aspirus Iron River Hospital and Clinics, was awarded a Blue Cross PPO Provider Distinction Award.

IRON RIVER–Dr. Marites Ansay, a family medicine physician at Aspirus Iron River Hospital and Clinics, recently was awarded a Blue Cross PPO Provider Distinction Award.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network give these awards annually to Medicare Advantage physician offices for outstanding contributions in helping patients with Blue Cross and Blue Care Network coverage receive “Star Quality” care, as measured by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Star Ratings.

“We are so proud of Dr. Ansay for her continued commitment to serving the people in our communities,” said Aspirus Iron River Hospital CEO, Connie Koutouzos. “This is another indication of the great care we’re always providing here at Aspirus.”

CMS rates Medicare Advantage plans on a scale of one through five stars, using around 40 measures focused on getting patients the care they need, increasing patient satisfaction and leading patients to better health outcomes.

In October 2016, CMS announced the latest star ratings for Blue Cross and BCN. Blue Cross received a four-star rating and BCN received a 4.5 star rating. Ansay was among 336 providers statewide to receive a 2016 Provider Distinction Award, recognizing their contribution to achieving this high standard of care for Michigan Medicare Advantage patients.

“We’re committed to helping our members obtain quality care to best meet their individual health care needs,” said Dr. Marc. D. Keshishian, Blue Care Network’s senior vice president and chief medical officer. “That’s something we cannot do without the dedication and hard work of our provider partners across the state.”

Aspirus is a non-profit, community-directed health system based in Wausau, Wis. With more than 7,000 employees, Aspirus serves communities throughout northern and central Wisconsin, as well as the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan.