Changes to ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification Program

Changes to Maintenance of Certification ABIM is changing its Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is requiring more frequent engagement by Board certified physicians in the MOC program to be meeting the requirements of maintenance of certification. We can help you meet these new requirements.

Why is ABIM changing MOC requirements? Every 10 Years is not enough “The growing knowledge base requires that training and ongoing licensure and certification reflect the need for lifelong learning and evaluation of competencies.” National Research Council. Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2001

Why is ABIM changing MOC requirements? The changes to ABIM’s MOC program requirements are designed to engage all diplomates in activities on an ongoing basis Growing agreement from the public, consumer groups and medical organizations that assessing knowledge and performance once every 10 years is not sufficient. 1 Greater frequency of engagement in MOC recognizes the changing face of medicine and the fact that every once 10 years is not enough. Changes to the MOC requirements will also increase the relevancy of the credential by aligning with other regular reporting requirements you need to meet. 1 National Research Council. Crossing the quality chasm: a new health system for the 21st century. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, Fox S. Health topics. Pew Internet and American Life Project. February 1,

What are the new requirements? In January 2014 – ABIM will begin reporting whether or not physicians are “Meeting MOC Requirements.” ABIM will honor time remaining on all certifications. You will continue to be certified for the length of your current certification(s), assuming you hold a current and valid license. If you hold certifications that are valid indefinitely, you will not lose that certification. If you hold time-limited certifications, you will remain board certified regardless of your participation in MOC – until your current certification expires.

What are the new requirements? By December 31, 2015 and every two years thereafter: Complete an MOC activity. By December 31, 2018 and every five years thereafter: Earn 100 MOC points with at least 20 points in medical knowledge and 20 points in practice assessment. Fulfill the patient safety and patient survey requirements. Every 10 years, you’ll also need to pass a secure MOC exam in each certification area you choose to maintain. To continue to be reported as “Meeting MOC Requirements,” all ABIM diplomates will need to do the following:

Patient Safety & Survey Requirements Starting in 2014, diplomates must meet Patient Safety and Patient Survey requirements every five years. First deadline is December 31, Developing processes to meet requirements with activities currently in use. ABIM will add additional options in the near future.

Patient Safety Requirement Medical Knowledge Options The ABP-led Joint Primary Care Board Patient Safety module ACP Annals of Internal Medicine: Patient Safety (approved through 3/5/2016) SHM: Hospital QI & Patient Safety Module 2 (approved through 12/22/2014) National Patient Safety Foundation product (Coming Soon) Teamwork Effectiveness Assessment Modules (TEAM)* *Currently only available to FPHM physicians Practice Assessment Options Care Coordination – Specialist PIM Care Coordination – Referring Physician PIM Communication with Referring Physicians PIM ABIM will add additional options in the near future.

Patient Survey Requirements ABIM PIMs Practice Improvement Modules ® that include a patient survey will count toward this requirement. Creating process to do a survey without doing a full PIM, in place before the requirement is due. Working on a process to review and approve patient surveys already in use. ABIM will add additional options in the near future.

How can I be “Meeting MOC Requirements?” If you are currently enrolled in MOC you will not owe any program fees at this time and will be “Meeting MOC Requirements.” However, if you later make changes to the certificates you are maintaining, you may incur additional fees. If you aren’t already enrolled in MOC – by March 31, 2014 to be “Meeting MOC Requirements” you will have to: Login to your Physician Login on abim.org Option to pay an annual fee or pre-pay for 10 years Indicate which of your current certifications you wish to maintain

How can I be “Meeting MOC Requirements?” Complete an MOC activity by December 31, 2015 and every two years thereafter. Earn 100 MOC points with at least 20 points in medical knowledge and 20 points in practice assessment and complete the patient safety and patient survey requirements by December 31, 2018 and every five years thereafter. The points earned every two years will count toward your five-year requirement, and all points count toward the milestones for the certifications you are maintaining. Any ABIM or [NAME OF SOCIETY] MOC-approved product will earn you MOC points and meet these requirements.

What’s not changing? Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge requirement Self-Evaluation of Practice Assessment requirement MOC exam requirement (every 10 years)

What about my current certification? You still need to meet the requirements of your current certification – but the points you earn to be “Meeting MOC Requirements” will be applied to the 100 total points you need to earn to be issued a new certification. The points earned every two years will count toward your five- year requirement, and all points count toward the milestones for the certifications you are maintaining. You will still need to take and pass an MOC exam in your specialty every 10 years.

Enrolled with Time Left on your Certification? Enrolled in MOC, license in good standing and your certification is valid? Continue completing MOC requirements. January 2014: you will be “Meeting MOC Requirements” and will not owe any additional fees unless you later make a change to the certificates you are maintaining. Earn MOC points before December 31, Points earned after January 2014 will apply both to those you need to earn to maintain your existing certification and to be “Meeting MOC Requirements.”

Enrolled in MOC & Certification Expires in 2013? You will need to meet the existing program requirements by December 31, 2013 to receive a new 10-year certificate. Starting January 2014, if you are currently enrolled in MOC, will be reported as “Meeting MOC Requirements.” You will have a fee credit and will not owe any additional fees until your current 10-year MOC program enrollment expires. However, if you later make changes to the certificates you are maintaining, you may incur additional fees.. In order to continue to be reported as “Meeting MOC Requirements,” you will need to complete an MOC activity to earn ABIM MOC points every two years.

Enrolled in MOC & Certification Expires in 2014 and Beyond? You need to meet the existing program requirements by December 31 st of the year your certificate expires. Points earned after January 2014 will apply both to those you need to maintain your existing certification and to be “Meeting MOC Requirements.” Starting January 2014, if you are currently enrolled in MOC, you will be “Meeting MOC Requirements.” You will have a fee credit and will not owe any additional fees until your current 10-year MOC program enrollment expires. However, if you take an additional exam, you may incur additional fees..

Not Enrolled in MOC? Not enrolled in MOC, & your certification expires after 2013? To be “Meeting MOC Requirements,” you will need to go to Physician Login at and enroll by indicating which certification(s) you choose to maintain. Points earned after January 2014 will apply both to those you need to maintain your existing certification and to be “Meeting MOC Requirements.”

I’m a Grandfather…. Grandfathers will remain certified, but to be “Meeting MOC Requirements”: To be “Meeting MOC Requirements,” go to Physician Login at and enroll by indicating which certification(s) you choose to maintain. By December 31, 2015 complete an MOC activity, either offered by ABIM or [NAME OF SOCIETY], to earn ABIM MOC points to be reported as “Meeting MOC Requirements.” By December 31, 2018 earn 100 MOC points with at least 20 points in medical knowledge and 20 points in practice assessment and complete the patient safety and patient survey requirements. Pass an MOC exam by December 31, 2023

How much will this cost me? If you are currently enrolled in MOC you will have a few credit and will not owe any additional program fees. However if you take an additional exam you may incur additional fees. ABIM will offer two payment options: to pay an annual fee or pre-pay for 10 years. Cost to maintain more than one certification will be the fee of the most expensive certification plus half for each of the others. Newly certified physicians in internal medicine will receive a 1-year fee waiver. Physicians in fellowship will receive an MOC program fee credit after every successful fellowship year completed. Fee includes one MOC exam for each certification you are maintaining. (Exam re-takes are $775.) MOC in Internal Medicine around $200 per year Subspecialty MOCaround$250 per year

MOC In a Nutshell In 2014 – ABIM will begin reporting if physicians are “Meeting MOC Requirements.” Everyone holding a current certificate and valid license will be meeting requirements at launch. Complete an MOC activity every two years Earn 100 MOC points, includes meeting Patient Safety and Patient Survey requirements, every five years. Take and pass an MOC exam every 10 years. New option to pay either an annual fee or pre-pay for 10 years.

Did you know? ABIM participation can: Earn you additional PQRS bonus dollars. Meet some state licensing CME requirements. Recognition and rewards from health plans.

Timeline for information about the new program requirements? January 2014 – Access to new updated website All board certified physicians who are in good standing will be “Meeting MOC Requirements” at launch December 31, 2015 – In order to be reported as “Meeting MOC Requirements,” you will be required to complete an MOC activity to earn ABIM MOC points every two years.

Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge Options The American Society of Echocardiography offers the following products to help you meet ABIM’s Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge (Part 2) requirements. ASEUniversity III: Case-based Learning Volume 1 (5 Points) ASEUniversity III: Case-based Learning Volume 2 (5 Points) Visit for information on learning sessions related to these modules!

How Can I Learn More About MOC? If you are not enrolled in MOC, log in to and complete the enrollment process. Check your current MOC status by logging in to Have questions? Visit to help answer any questions about the new MOC requirementshttp://moc2014.abim.org/ Call ABIM’s Diplomate Services, ABIM (2246) ABIM at