Over the past few months, I’ve received more than 3,000 e-mails from physicians, including many constructive comments and innovative ideas regarding ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Listening to, reviewing and considering this feedback, critical and otherwise, has been essential to the process as we continue to work closely with the physician community to enhance our products and program.

In addition to sharing feedback, however, physicians have expressed some confusion about what is currently required in the MOC program. While some MOC components have been suspended, I’d like to clarify that the MOC program is still in effect, with requirements physicians need to meet to participate in MOC and maintain their certification(s). To find out your specific requirements, log in to ABIM.org and view your MOC Status Report.

• To remain certified, physicians with certificates that expire this year must complete MOC requirements before their certification expires. The MOC requirements no longer include Practice Assessment.

• To be reported as “participating in MOC”, the majority of ABIM diplomates must earn some MOC points by the end of this year (12/31/15). Many have already met their points requirement, but there are a significant number of physicians enrolled in MOC who still need to complete an activity by the end of this year.

• Anything that earns MOC points—a single ABIM Medical Knowledge module, for example, or one of the hundreds of approved activities offered by specialty societies—will satisfy this requirement.

• Diplomates who were newly certified in 2014 have until 12/31/16 to complete an activity.

• MOC enrollment includes unlimited access to all ABIM’s self-assessment modules and products, most of which earn CME at no additional cost.

• ABIM is also working to offer credit for an expanded range of activities so that more of what physicians are already doing can count toward MOC.

We have heard repeatedly from diplomates through their feedback that most believe in the principles behind MOC – as both a process that supports physicians in their commitment to stay current in their fields, and as a credential that demonstrates to their peers and the public that they are staying current in knowledge and care.

I’ve gone through MOC multiple times, and I agree that significant changes are needed for MOC to better actualize these principles. Our community conversations tell us that the existence of an MOC program—in some shape or form—is critically important for both physicians and the public. This shared belief is why the program still exists, even as it evolves. This is also why it’s essential that physicians across the diversity of internal medicine practice are actively involved in shaping the future of MOC. I hope you will continue to share your feedback with me via e-mail at rbaronmd@abim.org, and I encourage you to subscribe to the ABIM blog to receive regular updates and learn more about future opportunities to get involved.