Responding to Diplomate Feedback About the MOC Program

MOC Activities Rationale for MOC requirements. 2  ABPN is one of 24 member boards of the ABMS.  MOC requirements are designed so that its diplomates can document for the public, their patients, and the organizations that employ, credential, and/or pay them that they have acceptable professional standing,  Have the competence to provide quality patient care, and that they are actively engaged in quality improvement and performance improvement activities.

MOC Activities 3  ABPN requires its Directors, Committee members and President/CEO to participate in MOC.  An unrestricted medical license(s) and no restrictions on any license  90 Category 1 CME hours total (including CME credits from SA activities)  24 CME hours of self-assessment (SA) activities  1 Improvement in Medical Practice (PIP) Unit  Pass the MOC examination every 10 years

MOC Activities Let diplomates themselves have the flexibility to choose what activities they do for:  Self-Assessment (SA)  CME (ABPN recognizes any relevant Category 1 CME activity)  Improvement in Medical Practice (PIP).  ABPN has expanded the options for the PIP activity requirement to include any one Clinical Module (chart review) OR Feedback Module (patient or peer survey/questionnaire). 4

MOC Activities Give diplomates PIP credit for what they already do in their own organizations and professional societies that meets MOC requirements. 5  Approved institutional QI and feedback activities  Approved registry participation, and  Any other Clinical Module or Feedback Module activity listed on the ABPN website.

MOC Activities Give diplomates Patient Safety Course credit for what they already do in their own organizations. 6  ABPN will accept a Patient Safety Course (PSC) required by an accredited institution (e.g., hospitals, clinics, training programs) as meeting the ABPN PSC requirement for MOC.  The Patient Safety Course is a one-time requirement!  Institutions are NOT required to get preapproval from ABPN for patient safety activities.

MOC Activities Avoid conflicts of interest by keeping the ABPN out of the business of producing or selling MOC products to diplomates. 7  ABPN neither produces nor sells any MOC products other than its MOC examinations.  ABPN has collaborated closely with professional organizations to encourage the development of a range of MOC products for SA, CME, and PIP.  On their own initiative, AAN, APA, AACAP and other professional organizations have made many MOC products available free/nominal fee of charge for their members.

MOC Activities Do not require diplomates with multiple certificates to duplicate their MOC activities. 8  ABPN only requires diplomates with multiple certificates to complete one set of MOC activities (SA, CME, and PIP).

MOC Examinations and Fees Make MOC fees reasonable. 9  ABPN has reduced the fee for its MOC examination by 34% over the last several years.  ABPN MOC fees are well below the average for all ABMS Member Boards.

MOC Examinations and Fees Give diplomates more than one chance each year to take the MOC examinations. 10  Beginning in 2016, ABPN offers diplomates two exam administration dates for MOC examinations in psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, neurology, and child neurology.  ABPN gives all diplomates who fail an MOC examination a second opportunity within one year to pass before reporting them as “not certified”.

MOC Examinations and Fees Make it possible for diplomates with multiple certificates to take all their MOC examinations at the same time. 11  ABPN permits diplomates with multiple certificates to take combined MOC examinations at reduced fees that cover up to 3 certificates.

Easy Reporting of MOC Requirements Develop an ABPN website that makes it relatively easy for diplomates to attest to what they do in MOC. 12  ABPN has redesigned its website with input from various stakeholders, including young members of the AAN, APA & AACAP.  ABPN Physician Folios makes it easy for diplomates to update their participation in MOC.

Other Activities:  Administrative Fellows  Innovation in Education Grants  Crucial Issues Forums (held 3 in Chicago)

14 For answers to additional questions from diplomates about MOC: us at Call the MOC Helpline at Visit or your Physician Folios account at