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U.S. Justice Department Supports More Board Certification Options for Physicians

U.S. Justice Department Supports More Board Certification Options for PhysiciansOn September 10, 2018, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a landmark opinion about physician board certification that bodes well for the medical industry and patient care in general. In a letter responding to a pending Maryland bill promoting competition in physician certification, the DOJ stated that the maintenance of certification (MOC) requirements of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) may result in decreased competition that increases the cost of healthcare services to consumers.

At the crux of the DOJ’s opinion is the monopoly on physician certification that the ABMS wields in Maryland. When a certifying body holds a monopoly, the DOJ argues, it “may have incentives to adopt certification requirements more stringent than those necessary to verify that providers have the knowledge and skills required of specialty practice and the ability to deliver quality care.” By imposing “unnecessary requirements,” the DOJ says, the ABMS, “can raise the costs of specialty practice and constrain the supply of specialized practitioners.”

In recent years, MOC requirements have come under increased scrutiny. Many physicians familiar with MOC question whether current ABMS MOC programs correlate with better patient care. As the DOJ wrote in its opinion, “critics have pointed to literature suggesting MOC’s purported benefits are unsupported by evidence.” Yet MOC continues to place severe demands on physicians’ time in addition to the burden of financial costs resulting from fees. According to the DOJ, Maryland should consider ways to promote competition “by legitimate certifying bodies, consistent with patient health and safety.”

Competition is one of the core principles of the American economy, and vigorous competition among certification boards can give patients the benefits of better healthcare, more innovation, and lower prices. As one of the three primary, multispecialty certifying organizations in the United States and one that is a recognized competitive choice, the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) welcomes the DOJ’s opinion.

The ABPS believes that, by offering qualified practitioners more certification options, they will also have the flexibility to choose the board that is most consistent with their values and best fosters their career development. At the ABPS, our testing requirements are stringent. Only the most skilled and dedicated physicians become Diplomates. Any physician who has earned certification through one of our Member Boards has demonstrated mastery of the core competencies required to deliver exceptional patient care in an evolving and increasingly competitive healthcare marketplace.

For more information about the ABPS, or our eligibility requirements, contact us today.

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Medical organizations throughout North America understand that our rigorous certification standards prove that ABPS Diplomates are capable of delivering the best patient care possible.

On October 18, 2007, President George W. Bush released Homeland Security Presidential Directive 21 (HSPD-21), calling on our nation, among other initiatives, to “collectively support and facilitate the establishment of a discipline of disaster health”. It is a great testament to the wisdom and foresight of the American Board of Physician Specialties that it immediately set to work and created, within the short span of only one year, an educational blueprint and set of certification examinations, both written and oral, for a new subspecialty of disaster medicine—and it is why I chose to be part this vital initiative and this wonderful organization. This is but one of the many innovative programs initiated by the American Board of Physician Specialties over the years, and why I am proud to support its work on behalf of our nation’s public health.

Art Cooper, MD
Disaster Medicine
When the American Board of Physician Specialties offered to host the American Board of Integrative Medicine, ABPS became a landmark organization working to move medicine into the twenty first century. Certifying physicians who have completed rigorous academic training in Integrative Medicine ensures that the field of Integrative Medicine will continue to develop academically, clinically, and professionally. The leadership of ABPS continues to impress me - they are diligent in constantly innovating to provide certifications for physicians who want to advance their careers and their areas of expertise. I am honored to be a part of this organization.

Ann Marie Chiasson, MD
Integrative Medicine
There are many ways board certification advances a physician career. ABPS Board examination verifies your accuracy, precision, and reflects your mastery of your residency training verifying your expertise. ABPS Board certification demonstrates your level of expertise beyond your practice experience, primary education degrees, and training which are necessary for insurance reimbursement and practice privilege requirements. Attaining your ABPS Board Certification will clarify your purpose, secure your practice growth, and expand into leadership positions. Board certification can serve as an indication of a physician’s commitment to medicine, beyond the minimal standards and competency of training, their measurement to quality of care, and attaining an award for excellence.

Chris Kunis MD
Internal Medicine
When I think historically, advancement in medicine and patient safety and care has been driven by the diversity of people and scientific thought. That’s what I found at the ABPS and more. For over 60 years that is just who we are. I found a physician certifying body that provides a choice and voice to all physicians ensuring that patients are always placed first.

Jerry Allison, MD
Emergency Medicine
When I decided to pursue a full time role as a physician executive it was important to me to obtain additional professional training, education and work experience. Board certification through the ABPS in Administrative Medicine is validation of my efforts and a demonstration of dedication to professional development. We need more physicians to become full time health care executives, knowing there is a board certification option in Administrative Medicine encourages physicians to take the leap from full time clinical practice to healthcare organizational leadership.

Richard Paula, MD
Administrative Medicine
The American Board of Physician Specialties has provided me with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of internal medicine through board certification. As a hospitalist, board certification is an expected credential, and hospitals recognize the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) as one of the three standard credentialling bodies for Internal Medicine. Additionally, the ABPS has helped me develop leadership skills as a Board member and Committee Chairperson. ABPS has also helped me sharpen critical thinking skills as a test question developer and reviewer. The Allopathic (MD) and Osteopathic (DO) physicians in the ABPS are lifelong learners and frequently pursue multiple board certifications. I enjoy the camaraderie of my peers in ABPS.

Loren Jay Chassels, DO
Internal Medicine
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