The Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) wishes to be
recorded in support for H.2446, An Act Relative to the Maintenance of
Certification.
H.2446 would prohibit the use of maintenance of
certification as a basis for physician licensure, hospital employment or
credentialing, or health plan reimbursement and/or credentialing. Maintenance
of Certification means a continuing education program measuring core
competencies in the practice of medicine and surgery and approved by a
nationally-recognized accrediting organization. This bill does not limit the
use of initial board certification for licensure or credentialing, nor is it in
any way a statement in support of less learning by physicians or reduced
quality of care.
Maintenance of Certification requirements on board certified
physicians are called “MOC.” MOC is comprised of computer modules, formal
testing, and other activities that have little or no perceived value with
respect to quality improvement or competency among the provider community. There are no independent medical studies or
evidence demonstrating the value of MOC in terms of improved patient
outcomes. Instead, it is overly
burdensome, costs physicians thousands of dollars, and ironically, requires
significant time away from practicing medicine and taking care of
patients.
In conclusion, the MOC program generates considerable costs
and puts unreasonable demands on a physician’s time - with questionable value. H.2446 will put a stop to the growing
practice of insurers and hospitals requiring MOC as a basis for credentialing
or employment until more studies are done to weigh its impact on clinical and
economic outcomes against the high costs required by MOC.
The MMS urges the Committee
on Public Health to support H.2446 and report the bill out of Committee
favorably.
