Frequently Asked Questions

Maintenance of Certification (MOC) or continuing certification is defined by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), who is the leading organization for physician board certification, as "the ongoing process of board certification that simultaneously supports physicians in keeping their knowledge and skills current while validating their increasing expertise in a specialty."

Through board certification, ABMS helps physicians demonstrate their competence and professionalism, support organizations in achieving their quality improvement and safety goals and offer assurance to the public that they are being cared for by specialists committed to their health and well-being.

MOC FRAMEWORK

The ABMS MOC process or framework is comprised of four parts, with each ABMS Member Board having its own specific requirements for each part, along with options for meeting them and the timeframes within which they must be met in order for credit to be earned.

The ABMS Portfolio Program focuses on the following part of the framework:

MOC PART 4: IMPROVEMENTS IN MEDICAL PRACTICE
Engage in ongoing assessment and quality/process improvement activities to improve patient outcomes.
To earn credit/points, physicians/PAs are required to demonstrate competence in systematic measurement and improvement in patient care.

As an ABMS Portfolio Program Sponsor, the BCM MOC Program assists eligible physicians and physician assistants (PA) earn MOC Part 4 credit/points from participating ABMS Member Boards or NCCPA Category 1 PI-CME credit from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), respectively, for their meaningful participation in qualified QI activities/projects.

The BCM MOC Program serves as an institutional resource to assist eligible physicians and physician assistants (PA) earn continuing certification (MOC Part 4 credit/points from participating ABMS Member Boards or NCCPA Category 1 PI-CME credit* from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants) for their meaningful participation in qualified QI activities/projects.

The ABMS Portfolio Program operates through a network of recognized Program Sponsors (such as BCM). Each Program Sponsor is tasked with assisting their respective physicians and physician assistants (PA) earn credit for their QI work.

As such, the BCM MOC Program was establisehd to:

• Manage and coordinate the responsibilities and essential tasks required of the Program Sponsor; AND
• Assist physicians/PA participants with navigating and meeting the standards, guidelines, and requirements for earning MOC Part 4 or NCCPA Category 1 PI-CME credit, respectively.

Credit is approved and awarded directly by the physician/PA participant's relevant ABMS Member Board(s) or the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

PROGRAM BENEFITS

Through the BCM MOC Program, physician and PA participants are able to:

• Address improvement needs identified by and relevant to physicians/PAs and their patients.
• Engage in cross-specialty collaborations to align, facilitate, and acceerate improvements that enhance care and the patient experience.
• Connect with other participating physicians/PAs to learn from and share best practices.
• Receive support and guidance with project documentation and reporting required to earn MOC Part 4 credit/points or NCCPA Category 1 PI-CME credit.

*Note: The ABMS Portfolio Program has an "interprofessional collaborative agreement" with the NCCPA. Under this agreement, eligible physician assistants, who are participating with physicians on team-based inter-professional improvement activities, can earn NCCPA Category 1 PI-CME credit through the BCM MOC Program for their engagement in qualified QI activities.

To submit a request for credit consideration, physician/physician assistant (PA) participants must meet the Eligibility Criteria specified for the respective QI Effort Type through which they are seeking credit.

Credit is not approved or granted by the BCM MOC Program. Instead, credit is approved and awarded through the BCM MOC Program by the relevant participating ABMS Member Boards or the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

If credit is approved, physician/physician assistant (PA) participants should expect to see their MOC Part 4 or NCCPA Category 1 PI-CME credit issued directly to their respective Member Board or NCCPA profiles.

At this time, BCM and BCM-affiliated employees may participate in the BCM MOC Program at no cost (submit to change without notice).

However, any applicable fees and relevant membership dues required by a participating ABMS Member Boards or the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) must be current for an eligible physician or PA participant to receive credit. Physicians/PAs should contact their certifying bodies directly with any questions in this regard.

The BCM MOC Program offers several pathways (referred to as QI Effort Types) for physicians and physician assistants (PA) to earn credit (MOC Part 4 or Category 1 NCCPA PI-CME) for their meaningful participation in qualified QI activities.

When submitting requests for credit consideration, time is of the essence. As such, physicians/PAs are responsible for ensuring they meet BCM MOC Program participation submission requirements and associated deadlines for the respective QI Effort Type through which they are seeking credit.