Beginning in 2022, diplomates who currently hold the Hospice and Palliative Medicine (HPM) Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) will maintain their certification through the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). Diplomates will no longer maintain their HPM certificate through the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG).
Maintaining HPM certification through ABIM will enhance the HPM MOC process for diplomates and assist them in maintaining a high level of knowledge, judgment, and skills in HPM. The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) approved ABOG to move from a co-sponsoring board to a qualifying board in HPM. This means that all HPM CAQ continuing certification standards and activities will move from ABOG to ABIM. The application process for the HPM initial certification examination will also move to ABIM.
ABIM will be the certifying board for all ABOG HPM diplomates starting January 1, 2022.
Diplomates with HPM certification will be able to register with ABIM via ABIM’s portal. ABIM will email instructions to all diplomates with current HPM certification regarding portal registration. After registering in the ABIM portal, diplomates will be able to select the option of either maintaining HPM certification or allowing it to expire.
Yes, diplomates with an HPM certificate must complete ABOG MOC tasks for 2021 to maintain their HPM certificate.
Diplomates can continue to maintain ABOG OB GYN certification or subspecialty certification(s) as long as they continue to participate and meet all requirements of ABOG’s Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. But it is the diplomate’s choice whether to maintain ABOG certification or allow it to expire.
Yes. To maintain ABOG certification, diplomates will be required to continue to participate in ABOG’s Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program and complete all annual MOC requirements for OB GYN and any relevant subspecialties. ABIM does have a reciprocity policy to help streamline your requirements. ABIM diplomates who are dual boarded by one or more of the other ABMS Member Boards can have the MOC points requirement waived.
Diplomates who are eligible to receive this reciprocal credit will see a feature box at the bottom of the ABIM Physician Portal. They can click on the feature to attest to being currently certified by and participating in the other Board's MOC program.
Diplomates still need to meet other ABIM MOC requirements: maintaining a valid, unrestricted, and unchallenged medical license, passing a secure ABIM MOC assessment, and meeting any other ABIM-specific subspecialty procedural requirements.
ABIM will email all pertinent details to diplomates who want to maintain their HPM certificate. Be sure to check your email inbox regularly to stay informed by ABIM. Learn more here about ABIM’s MOC program. You may also email request@ABIM.org or call 1-800-441-ABIM for information.
Newly transitioned ABOG HPM diplomates will become ABIM diplomates and will therefore follow ABIM’s same fee schedule. (A) Starting January 1, 2022, the annual ABIM MOC fee for the first certificate a physician is maintaining will be $220. Each additional certificate will be $120 annually and (B) The traditional, 10-year MOC exam fee will be $700. Learn more about ABIM’s 2022 fee structure.
Email request@abim.org or call 1-800-441-ABIM.