I, too, have Anthem BCBS. The first 4 phone calls I made, they stated that it needed to be a Blue Distinction Center, BUT, since I live over 70 miles from the closest one, the doctor we chose locally was fine. And in network! So, I made my starting appointments, and got the ball rolling with my first visit to the surgeon today.
And find out from the rep I spoke with today that everything I've been told previously is not true. It must be a Blue Distinction Center. Too bad for those 70 miles. I legit cried on the phone with the rep.