American Board of Internal Medicine, Incorporated

Individual # [redacted] did not engage in a fellowship that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABM) only gives Maintenance of Certification (MOC) points and a one-year fee credit for fellowships that are accredited by the ACGMEWhile ABIM cannot grant the fellowship credit for this reason, we have offered to refund Individual # [redacted] the 10-year MOC fee paid, allowing him to instead pay on an annual basisAfter earning initial certification in Internal Medicine from ABIM in 2010, individual # [redacted] completed three years of ACGME-accredited fellowship training in Cardiology (2010-2013) at the University of California San FranciscoPer its guidelines, ACGME only accredits three years of Cardiology for any approved programhttp://acgme.org/acgmeweb/Portals/O/PFASSets/2013: PR-FAO-PIFA Cardiovascular disease int med 07132013.pdf individual # [redacted] 's fellowship program director submitted evaluations for accredited training through ABIM's FasTrack system after each year of accredited fellowship trainingFasTrack is an online application where all ACGME-accredited Internal Medicine and subspecialty programs in the United States, similar programs accredited in Canada, and/or ABM-approved new training areas or combined programs complete evaluations of clinical competence for all trainees (fellows and residents) in their program each academic yearFor US training programs, only ACGME-accredited fellowship training is eligible for recognition through ABM's FasTrack systemIndividual # [redacted] 's fellowship training from to was approved and this enabled him to take his initial subspecialty exam in Cardiovascular Disease in November Individual # [redacted] passed the Cardiovascular Disease exam and earned a subspecialty certificate in Cardiovascular Disease in Under the ABIM's new MOC program requirements, announced to all ABIM Board Certified physicians in April 2013, Certifications earned in and after (initial certification in internal medicine or a subspecialty) remain valid as long as physicians continue to participate in MOCIn announcing the new requirements, ABIM also stated "upon completion of each eligible fellowship year and ABIM's receipt of your evaluation from a program director, a physician would receive MOC points, which would be credited immediately on his/her Self-Evaluation Activity Report, and a one-year fee creditThese points will be credited to: points in medical knowledge and points in practice assessment.For fellowships completed in 2014, the fee credit and points won't be applied until the calendar year at the earliest because the Credit application is contingent upon ABIM's receipt of your evaluation from your program directorThese evaluations Come to ABIM via our FasTrack systemNo action on your partis required.” http://www.abim.org/maintenance-ofCertification/fa rogram-changes/what-do-the-changes-mean-for-wou.aspx Individual # [redacted] enrolled in ABIM's MOC program on March 11, He then contacted ABIM in March on three occasions, two via e-mail and one via phone call with questions about the Fellowship creditHe contacted ABIM again in November On all occasions, he was correctly informed by ABIM customer service representatives that fellowship credit would only be awarded for eligible fellowships submitted by his program and he would need to confirm with his program director on its statusAs Individual # [redacted] indicates in his complaint to the Revdex.com, after he checked with his program director, his program would not be submitting his evaluation because Individual # [redacted] was not in an ACGME accredited fellowship during the 2013-academic yearHis program director correctly informed him that he was not eligible for this credit because the fellowship year he participated in was not accredited by ACGMEBased on this information, that Individual # [redacted] was correctly informed of the policies of ABM related to fellowship fee credits and specifically that he was not enrolled in an ACGME accredited training year during the 2013-academic year, we cannot offer a fellowship credit but have offered to refund his 10-year fee, allowing him to pay annuallyRespectfully, Furman SM [redacted] , MD, MPH

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the responseIf no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved] Complaint: [redacted] I am rejecting this response because: This response from the ABIM is simply not truthful I was not correctly informed about what an eligible fellowship year was during any of the times that I contacted ABIM, despite what they claim The pertinent information on what an eligible fellowship year is was also not presented on the ABIM website or at any place which I could accessI understand that I have little power in this matter, and will simply have to accept whatever the ABIM decidesHowever, the ABIM is not telling the truth in their response, and I think that should be recognizedFurthermore, I believe other physicians should be advised and notified of their acts of deception Regards, [redacted]

Individual # [redacted] did not engage in a fellowship that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABM) only gives Maintenance of Certification (MOC) points and a one-year fee credit for fellowships that are accredited by the ACGMEWhile ABIM cannot grant the fellowship credit for this reason, we have offered to refund individual # [redacted] the 10-year MOC fee paid, allowing him to instead pay on an annual basis.After earning initial certification in Internal Medicine from ABIM in 2010, individual # [redacted] completed three years of ACGME-accredited fellowship training in Cardiology (2010-2013) at the University of California San FranciscoPer its guidelines, ACGME only accredits three years of Cardiology for any approved program.http:// [redacted] PR-FAO-PIFA Cardiovascular disease int med O7132013.pdfIndividual # [redacted] 's fellowship program director submitted evaluations for accredited training through ABIM's FasTrack system after each year of accredited fellowship trainingFasTrack is an online application where all ACGME-accredited internal Medicine and subspecialty programs in the United States, similar programs accredited in Canada, and/or ABIM-approved new training areas or combined programs complete evaluations of clinical competence for all trainees (fellows and residents) in their program each academic yearFor US training programs, only ACGME-accredited fellowship training is eligible for recognition through ABM's FasTrack systemIndividual # [redacted] 's fellowship training from to was approved and this enabled him to take his initial subspecialty exam in Cardiovascular Disease in November individual # [redacted] passed the Cardiovascular Disease exam and earned a subspecialty certificate in Cardiovascular Disease in Under the ABIM's new MOC program requirements, announced to all ABIM Board Certified physicians in April 2013, Certifications earned in and after (initial certification in internal medicine or a subspecialty) remain valid as long as physicians continue to participate im MOCIn announcing the new requirements, ABIM also stated "upon completion of each eligible fellowship year and ABM's receipt of your evaluation from a program director, a physician would receive MOC points, which would be credited immediately on his/her Self-Evaluation Activity Report, and a one-year fee creditThese points will be credited to: points in medical knowledge and points in practice assessment.For fellowships completed in 2014, the fee credit and points won't be applied until the Calendar year at the earliest because the Credit application is contingent upon ABIM's receipt of your evaluation from your program directorThese evaluations Come to ABIM via our FasTrack SystemNo action on your part is required." http://www.abim.org/maintenancertification/faq-2014-program-changes/what-do-the-...⇄ Individual # [redacted] enrolled in ABIM's MOC program on March 11, He then contacted ABIM in March on three occasions, two via e-mail and one via phone call with questions about the Fellowship creditHe contacted ABIM again in November On all occasions, he was correctly informed by ABIM customer service representatives that fellowship credit would only be awarded for eligible fellowships submitted by his program and he would need to confirm with his program director on its statusAS Individual # [redacted] indicates in his complaint to the Revdex.com, after he checked with his program director, his program would not be submitting his evaluation because individual # [redacted] was not in an ACGME accredited fellowship during the 2013-academic yearHis program director Correctly informed him that he was not eligible for this credit because the fellowship year he participated in was not accredited by ACGMEBased on this information, that Individual # [redacted] was correctly informed of the policies of ABM related to fellowship fee Credits and specifically that he was not enrolled in an ACGME accredited training year during the 2013-academic year, we cannot offer a fellowship credit but have offered to refund his 10-year fee, allowing him to pay annuallyRespectfully, Furman SM [redacted] , MD, MPH

I paid my maintenance of certification fee greater than week ago and I have yet to receive a receipt for this paymentThe payment has been processed from my bank accountI have emailed about the issue and gotten no responseI have called twice and gotten no resolutionI am reported currently as participating in maintenance of certification

April 4, 2014
Individual #[redacted] has a certificate that is valid 2013-2023. He will remain certified for 10 years. Upon completion of his requirements in 2013, he was told in a letter sent on 12/30/13 that he would get a new 10-year certificate. The certificate he earned will be mailed to...

him no later than April 30.The American Board of Internal Medicine did add a new reporting credential - "Meeting MOC Requirements." This change was announced in April 2013 and requires more frequent engagement if he wants to be listed as "Meeting MOC Requirements". Individual #[redacted] will not lose certification if he does not participate. ABIM has no control over how other organizations use the credential.

Individual #[redacted] did not engage in a fellowship that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABM) only gives Maintenance of Certification (MOC) points and a one-year fee credit for fellowships that are...

accredited by the ACGME. While ABIM cannot grant the fellowship credit for this reason, we have offered to refund individual #[redacted] the 10-year MOC fee paid, allowing him to instead pay on an annual basis.After earning initial certification in Internal Medicine from ABIM in 2010, individual #[redacted] completed three years of ACGME-accredited fellowship training in Cardiology (2010-2013) at the University of California San Francisco. Per its guidelines, ACGME only accredits three years of Cardiology for any approved program.http://[redacted]PR-FAO-PIFA 141 Cardiovascular disease int med O7132013.pdfIndividual #[redacted]'s fellowship program director submitted evaluations for accredited training through ABIM's FasTrack system after each year of accredited fellowship training. FasTrack is an online application where all ACGME-accredited internal Medicine and subspecialty programs in the United States, similar programs accredited in Canada, and/or ABIM-approved new training areas or combined programs complete evaluations of clinical competence for all trainees (fellows and residents) in their program each academic year.
For US training programs, only ACGME-accredited fellowship training is eligible for recognition through ABM's FasTrack system. Individual #[redacted]'s fellowship training from 2010 to 2013 was approved and this enabled him to take his initial subspecialty exam in Cardiovascular Disease in November 2013.
individual #[redacted] passed the Cardiovascular Disease exam and earned a subspecialty certificate in Cardiovascular Disease in 2013. Under the ABIM's new MOC program requirements, announced to all ABIM Board Certified physicians in April 2013, Certifications earned in 2013 and after (initial certification in internal medicine or a subspecialty) remain valid as long as physicians continue to participate im MOC.
In announcing the new requirements, ABIM also stated "upon completion of each eligible fellowship year and ABM's receipt of your evaluation from a program director, a physician would receive 20 MOC points, which would be credited immediately on his/her Self-Evaluation Activity Report, and a one-year fee credit. These 20 points will be credited to: 10 points in medical knowledge and 10 points in practice assessment.For fellowships completed in 2014, the fee credit and points won't be applied until the 2015 Calendar year at the earliest because the Credit application is contingent upon ABIM's receipt of your evaluation from your program director. These evaluations Come to ABIM via our FasTrack System. No action on your part is required." http://www.abim.org/maintenance-of certification/faq-2014-program-changes/what-...⇄ #[redacted] enrolled in ABIM's MOC program on March 11, 2014. He then contacted ABIM in March on three occasions, two via e-mail and one via phone call with questions about the Fellowship credit. He contacted ABIM again in November 2014. On all occasions, he was correctly informed by ABIM customer service representatives that fellowship credit would only be awarded for eligible fellowships submitted by his program and he would need to confirm with his program director on its status.
AS Individual #[redacted] indicates in his complaint to the Revdex.com, after he checked with his program director, his program would not be submitting his evaluation because individual #[redacted] was not in an ACGME accredited fellowship during the 2013-14 academic year. His program director Correctly informed him that he was not eligible for this credit because the fellowship year he participated in was not accredited by ACGME.
Based on this information, that Individual #[redacted] was correctly informed of the policies of ABM related to fellowship fee Credits and specifically that he was not enrolled in an ACGME accredited training year during the 2013-14 academic year, we cannot offer a fellowship credit but have offered to refund his 10-year fee, allowing him to pay annually.
Respectfully,
Furman S. M[redacted], MD, MPH

Individual #[redacted] is Board Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and is seeking a partial refund of his fee for enrollment in ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. However, as noted in ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification policies and...

other MOC materials — and as ABIM has previously advised Individual #[redacted] on several occasions — MOC fees are not refundable.Although ABIM recently announced that it is enhancing the MOC program and has suspended the Practice Assessment requirement of the program, ABIM continues to provide access to the same MOC activities and materials, and opportunities for MOC credit, as it did previously, Indeed, the activities have not been “removed from availability”, nor has ABIM found them to be “defective.” Physicians can still choose to voluntarily complete these activities to earn MOC points as part of their participation in the MOC program.By way of further background, the MOC program continues to offer physicians a structured framework for continuous professional development and a recognizable way, through continued certification, to communicate to colleagues and the public that the doctor is keeping up in his/her field. ABIM offers 73 activities to all certified physicians to earn their MOC points, and ABIM also offers MOC points for approved products offered by medical societies and other organizations. Physicians choose to enroll in the program by paying a program fee, giving them unlimited access to self-assessment activities for either one year or ten years, depending on how long they wish to be enrolled.Individual #[redacted] enrolled in the MOC program for 10 years in January 2013. However, to date, Individual #[redacted] has not actively engaged in meeting the points requirement of the MOC program other than by taking the MOC Examination in Internal Medicine in October 2014 (for which he earned 20 MOC points). He ordered the [redacted] Practice Improvement Module on 3/18/14, but that module is currently incomplete; it remains available to him through 12/31/15. He also ordered two medical knowledge modules: the 2014 Infectious Disease beta test module, ordered on 4/1/14, and the 2014 Internal Medicine module, ordered on 3/18/14. He did not complete either of those modules. They have since expired but other similar modules are now available. Moreover, unlimited access to all of ABIM’s MOC modules is included in his enrollment fee.Respectfully,Furman S. M[redacted] MD, MPHVice President for Graduate Medical Education American Board of Internal Medicine

From: [redacted]>Date: Thu, Apr 9, 2015 at 4:23 PMSubject: Re: About my call Re: Case [redacted] against America Board of Internal MedicineTo: [redacted]>
I have to. I paid for a service that is poor but lasts ten years. I am stuck. If I stop doing business, as they have not given me a refund, I am out all that money and have nothing to show. Thanks. 
[redacted] 
[redacted]

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]
 Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because:
This response from the ABIM is simply not truthful.  I was not correctly informed about what an eligible fellowship year was during any of the times that I contacted ABIM, despite what they claim.  The pertinent information on what an eligible fellowship year is was also not presented on the ABIM website or at any place which I could access.
I understand that I have little power in this matter, and will simply have to accept whatever the ABIM decides. However, the ABIM is not telling the truth in their response, and I think that should be recognized. Furthermore, I believe other physicians should be advised and notified of their acts of deception.
Regards,
[redacted]

Individual #[redacted] did not engage in a fellowship that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABM) only gives Maintenance of Certification (MOC) points and a one-year fee credit for fellowships that are accredited by the ACGME. While ABIM cannot grant the fellowship credit for this reason, we have offered to refund Individual #[redacted] the 10-year MOC fee paid, allowing him to instead pay on an annual basis.
After earning initial certification in Internal Medicine from ABIM in 2010, individual #[redacted] completed three years of ACGME-accredited fellowship training in Cardiology (2010-2013) at the University of California San Francisco. Per its guidelines, ACGME only accredits three years of Cardiology for any approved program. http://acgme.org/acgmeweb/Portals/O/PFASSets/2013:
PR-FAO-PIFA 141 Cardiovascular disease int med 07132013.pdf
individual #[redacted]'s fellowship program director submitted evaluations for accredited training through ABIM's FasTrack system after each year of accredited fellowship training. FasTrack is an online application where all ACGME-accredited Internal Medicine and subspecialty programs in the United States, similar programs accredited in Canada, and/or ABM-approved new training areas or combined programs complete evaluations of clinical competence for all trainees (fellows and residents) in their program each academic year.
For US training programs, only ACGME-accredited fellowship training is eligible for recognition through ABM's FasTrack system. Individual #[redacted]'s fellowship training from 2010 to 2013 was approved and this enabled him to take his initial subspecialty exam in Cardiovascular Disease in November 2013.
Individual #[redacted] passed the Cardiovascular Disease exam and earned a subspecialty certificate in Cardiovascular Disease in 2013. Under the ABIM's new MOC program requirements, announced to all ABIM Board Certified physicians in April 2013, Certifications earned in 2013 and after (initial certification in internal medicine or a subspecialty) remain valid as long as physicians continue to participate in MOC.
In announcing the new requirements, ABIM also stated "upon completion of each eligible fellowship year and ABIM's receipt of your evaluation from a program director, a physician would receive 20 MOC points, which would be credited immediately on his/her Self-Evaluation Activity Report, and a one-year fee credit. These 20 points will be credited to: 10 points in medical knowledge and 10 points in practice assessment.For fellowships completed in 2014, the fee credit and points won't be applied until the 2015 calendar year at the earliest because the Credit application is contingent upon ABIM's receipt of your evaluation from your program director. These evaluations Come to ABIM via our FasTrack system. No action on your partis required.” http://www.abim.org/maintenance-ofCertification/fa rogram-changes/what-do-the-changes-mean-for-wou.aspx
Individual #[redacted] enrolled in ABIM's MOC program on March 11, 2014. He then contacted ABIM in March on three occasions, two via e-mail and one via phone call with questions about the Fellowship credit. He contacted ABIM again in November 2014. On all occasions, he was correctly informed by ABIM customer service representatives that fellowship credit would only be awarded for eligible fellowships submitted by his program and he would need to confirm with his program director on its status.
As Individual #[redacted] indicates in his complaint to the Revdex.com, after he checked with his program director, his program would not be submitting his evaluation because Individual #[redacted] was not in an ACGME accredited fellowship during the 2013-14 academic year. His program director correctly informed him that he was not eligible for this credit because the fellowship year he participated in was not accredited by ACGME.
Based on this information, that Individual #[redacted] was correctly informed of the policies of ABM related to fellowship fee credits and specifically that he was not enrolled in an ACGME accredited training year during the 2013-14 academic year, we cannot offer a fellowship credit but have offered to refund his 10-year fee, allowing him to pay annually.
Respectfully,
Furman S. M[redacted], MD, MPH

January 22, 2015In reply to your correspondence received on 1/20/15 regarding Individual #[redacted]:Individual #[redacted]’s account was restored to reflect his original registration from 12/29/14, so thecomplaint regarding his account has already been resolved. He was never overcharged,...

and we already notified him about the fee credit on 1/8/15.Respectfully,
Vincent J. M[redacted], MBAChief Financial Officer American Board of Internal Medicine

Review: ID # [redacted]. I had completed the requirements for Critical Care certification by 12/30/13.

Their website stated if completed before 12/31/13, you would have the 10 year certification not requiring yearly modules.

The medical staff office at my hospital has requested the information from the ABIM and the site says pending maintenance of certification.Desired Settlement: I would like the 2013, 10yr certificate that has no MOC (maintenance of certification)requirement.

Business

Response:

April 4, 2014Individual #[redacted] has a certificate that is valid 2013-2023. He will remain certified for 10 years. Upon completion of his requirements in 2013, he was told in a letter sent on 12/30/13 that he would get a new 10-year certificate. The certificate he earned will be mailed to him no later than April 30.The American Board of Internal Medicine did add a new reporting credential - "Meeting MOC Requirements." This change was announced in April 2013 and requires more frequent engagement if he wants to be listed as "Meeting MOC Requirements". Individual #[redacted] will not lose certification if he does not participate. ABIM has no control over how other organizations use the credential.

Review: To Whom It Concerns:

On 29 December 2014, I had paid the full price $3177.00 for maintenance of certification for internal medicine and gastroenterology. I had later changed the maintenance to gastroenterology only on the ABIM website, but instead of receiving a refund I was charged on my credit card the full amount. Since my credit card was already charged, I had contacted ABIM on 30 December 2014 to reflect the original status for maintenance of certification for internal medicine and gastroenterology.

I was told the price is now $3530.00, and I have to pay the difference even though my credit card had already been charged the full amount for the two certifications. I tried to explain the matter to the ABIM on-call agent, but I was ignored. I asked to speak to a supervisor and he hung up on me. The pricing within 24 hours for the two certification of maintenance shall not have changed. If there was an error in the system, ABIM shall honor the original pricing which was charged on my credit card. The ABIM on-call agent was not helpful in which escalation to the finance office would take over a week, in which my credit card had already been charged. In addition, I have to pay extra now in order to get back to my original status of maintenance for internal medicine and gastroenterology. I am currently only certifying maintenance for gastroenterology on the ABIM website, despite having already paid for both certifications internal medicine and gastroenterology.Desired Settlement: I request that ABIM honor the initial pricing $3177.00 for maintenance of certification for internal medicine and gastroenterology and change the status on the ABIM website in order to reflect the already paid amount. A letter of apology would be appreciated given the failure of the agent to assist in this matter timely, and being ignored along with unprofessionally hanging up me on the telephone without a call-back.

Business

Response:

See Attached: