Health Insurance in Texas Works with Top U.S. Hospitals

Texas hospitals have been acknowledged for excellence and recognized in the U.S. News & World Report’s issue listing “America’s Best Hospitals.” That review evaluates more than 5,100 hospitals to identify the top 50 hospitals in the nation. Both Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center (MHT) and TIRR Memorial Hermann (TIRR) were recommended in 2008.

America’s Best Hospitals assesses inpatient care based on advanced technological capability, mortality statistics, numbers of patients treated, nursing proficiency, physician opinion and the hospital’s teaching status.

Hospitals Are Recognized for Cancer Research and Cardiac, Catastrophic and Stroke Care

TIRR has earned this recognition for 19 consecutive years, and it is also recognized worldwide for innovation in researching and treating catastrophic illnesses and injuries. TIRR is ranked in fourth place for rehabilitation out of 5,100 U.S.

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MHT is ranked 39th in urology and it hosts the Vanguard Urologic Institute, which is headed by a leader in prostate cancer research, Dr. Kevin Slawin. He and his colleagues specialize in minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgery. MHT has also been recognized by USA Today for using innovative new treatments to help acute stoke patients.

Two Memorial hospitals were also awarded the Gold Seal of Approval by the Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers . The team at MHT earned the highest standard for a comprehensive stroke center, and the team is supported by more than .5 million from the National Institutes of Health in grants for research on stroke annually.

MHT, along with Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital, Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital and Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital, has also been designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care by Blue Cross Blue Shield. To earn this recognition, the hospitals had to perform at least 125 cardiac surgeries a year, offer emergency and a full range of cardiac services, maintain low overall complication and mortality rates and be fully accredited by the Joint Commission Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program or a national equivalent.

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler Earns Top Award in Pulmonary Care

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler (UTHSCT) earned the 2010 Pulmonary Care Excellence Award following the largest annual report to analyze patient outcomes from almost 40 million Medicare hospitalization records. UTHSCT achieved five-star ratings for excellence in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia. This hospital also earned the 2009/2010 Outstanding Patient Experience Award, and only 340 hospitals across the country have achieved such distinction.

The Woman’s Hospital of Texas Was Recognized in America’s Best Hospitals

In 2008, the Woman’s Hospital of Texas was also ranked in the top 50 best hospitals for gynecologic care in the U.S. To earn this, the hospital’s reputation among physicians, its mortality statistics and its care services, such as nursing and patient services, were evaluted. It also had to be a teaching hospital or be affiliated with a teaching hospital or have at least six of 13 important medical technologies. The Woman’s Hospital of Texas has been known as the state’s premier provider for women and babies for over 30 years.

Health Insurance in Texas is Key to Exceptional Hospital Care

With several of the nation’s leaders in hospital care and services, Texas offers some of the most innovative and effective care available throughout the nation. Without Texas health insurance, access to these services can be severely restricted. To make these services available to more people, Texas insurers offer more than 300 different health insurance plans that range from low-cost catastrophic plans to comprehensive “Cadillac” plans. Health care reform has already increased the number of Texans who have access to health care and more changes are on the way.