Center of Excellence

Neurological care specifically designed for Baptist employees and their dependents

Baptist is proud to announce the launch of the Brain & Spine Network Center of Excellence, a dedicated care program benefiting you and your covered dependents as part of the Baptist Health Plan. We are excited you are a part of the program and look forward to providing you exceptional neurological care options by the Brain & Spine Network (BSN) experts.

The Baptist + Semmes-Murphey Brain & Spine Network Center of Excellence

As health care costs continue to rise for employers, whether it’s increased insurance claims or lost production due to employee injury or illness, companies are struggling to find ways to keep their employees and their bottoms lines healthy. Baptist and Semmes-Murphey Clinic created the Brain & Spine Center of Excellence to provide high quality, non-invasive care for individuals with acute back and neck problems. Now, employers can team with two of the region’s most respected health care providers to provide exceptional care, with significant savings. Learn more.

Who’s eligible

All Baptist employees, spouses and dependents 18 years of age or older who are a part of the Baptist Health Plan and who meet the clinical requirements are eligible for this benefit. A BSN physician will determine if you are clinically eligible for this benefit.

As a participant, you may have little or no out-of-pocket expenses. If you are enrolled in the high-deductible health plan, you will be responsible for meeting your deductible. Any services that do not meet the clinical requirements will be billed to your primary insurance, and you will be responsible for all applicable co-pays and deductibles.

IMPORTANT: Per IRS guidelines, Baptist employees who have a government-sponsored health care plan as a secondary insurance are not eligible for this Center of Excellence program. This includes Tri-Care, Medicare and Medicaid plans.

What’s covered

While not all neurological and neurosurgical services are included in this program, there are a number of procedures and evaluations that may be covered, including:

Conservative Care Management (In-Person and Virtual Options)
Surgical Evaluations (Cranial and Spine) – Patients who are recommended for surgery must have the procedure within 180 days of the evaluation or be required to complete a second evaluation
Interventional Pain Management (e.g., nerve blocks)
Physical Therapy (In-person and Virtual)
Advanced Imaging (CT, MRI, etc.)

To access this benefit, an employee, their spouse or dependents must contact the COE Navigation Team at 901-227-8927. The COE Navigator will provide assistance and guidance throughout for these services. Employees who receive care from a member of the care team, but do not enroll through the Navigator, will not be eligible for this program.

Examples of care available

Conservative Management Bundle with In-Person Visits

This care option includes up to five clinic visits with COE providers bundled with specified diagnostics occurring within a 120-day period. Prior to placement in the Conservative Management Bundle, patients will be scheduled for a clinic visit to determine their eligibility. This first clinic visit will be billed to the primary insurance, and co-pays and deductibles will apply.

Each employee/dependent who meets the requirements of the program is eligible for one Conservative Management Bundle for the same problem/injury within a 12-month period, up to two separate problems/injuries. (For example, a back injury and a neck injury presenting at two different times would be two different episodes eligible for a bundle within the same 12 months.)

Conservative Care Management Bundle (non-surgical, virtual)

The Brain and Spine Network, in collaboration with Vori Health, now offers a comprehensive telemedicine service for non-surgical treatment. The navigation team will provide each member with the details and services provided, and this option will be discussed with the member’s physician.

On your first visit with Vori, you’ll see a physician, physical therapist, and health coach simultaneously on your smartphone or computer to get a diagnosis and personalized treatment early in your episode of care. You’ll also get access to Vori Health’s mobile and web app, where you can complete your telemedicine appointments, access your personalized care plan and physical therapy exercise videos, and send secure messages to your care team.

For more information about the BSN and Vori Health, please visit: https://www.vorihealth.com/partners/bsn.

Pain Management & Pain Blocks

This service includes up to three blocks per injury/problem within a 120-day period every twelve months. Additional blocks for the same problem within the 12-month period will be billed to the primary insurance, and co-pays and deductibles will apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enroll in this program?

To participate in the Brain & Spine Network Center of Excellence program, you must contact the Nurse Navigator prior to scheduling any services at any of the Brain & Spine Network locations. Any services that occur prior to enrollment with the Navigator will not be eligible for coverage and will be billed to your primary insurance.

Will I be charged for any services provided through the Center of Excellence?

If you meet the clinical requirements and are eligible for the program, you may have little or no out-of-pocket expenses. The COE physician will determine clinical eligibility. Any services that do not meet the clinical requirements will be billed to your primary insurance, and you will be responsible for co-pays and deductibles.

IMPORTANT: Baptist employees who participate in the Consumer-Driven Health Plan, per IRS guidelines, will continue to be responsible for meeting their deductible as a part of this program.

Is my spouse covered by the program?

If you have Baptist health insurance, then yes! Your spouse and any eligible dependents 18 or older also qualify for the Center of Excellence program.

How do I qualify for these services?

Team members with Baptist health insurance, along with their spouses and eligible dependents, 18 years or older, qualify for the Center of Excellence program. A provider will determine your clinical eligibility for the Center of Excellence services during your initial evaluation.

How can I get more information?

We’re happy to answer your questions. If you’d like to contact the Center of Excellence program, please call 901-227-8927, Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.