MOC - It ' s All About the $$ - Yes to SB 1148

Oppose Vendor Greed That Isn ’t Shownto Improve QualitySenate Bill 1148, scheduled for debate on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives today, clearly states that hospitals and health plans cannot use maintenance of certification (MOC) to differentiate among physicians for payment, contracting, or credentialing. The bill prohibits the state from using MOC as a requirement for state licensure or renewal. It would, however, allow MOC requirements if facilities or teaching faculty need them for specialty designation or accreditation.The bill ' s author is Sen. Dawn Buckingham, MD (R-Lakeway). As a practicing opthalmologist, Senator Buckingham knows a thing or two about the bureaucratic hassles that get in the way of physicians taking care of their patients.SB 1148 stops the discrimination against physicians who elect to skip the burdensome, often-irrelevant, monopolistic MOC process. MOC claims to ensure quality, but in reality the components tested often are not applicable to medical practices. It ’s a revenue generator for testing companies. So if you are wondering why the certifying boards are fighting so hard against SB 1148, remember, it’s all about the money." It ' s a money-making operation, " says Texas Medical Association President Carlos J. Cardenas, MD.In 2014, MOC generated $27 million for the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) (48 percent of total certification testing revenue, 44 percent of total revenue). And, until the backlash really start...
Source: TMA Blogged Arteries - Category: Health Management Authors: Source Type: blogs