FAQ: Navigating the Boycott

Deciding to boycott Maintenance of Certification (MOC) is a significant professional decision. This page addresses the most common practical and legal questions physicians have when transitioning toward non-compliance or alternative certification.

1. Will I lose my medical license if I stop participating in MOC?

No. Medical licensure is granted by state medical boards, not by private certifying organizations like the ABIM. While some states previously explored linking the two, the Physicians for Certification Change (PCC) and other advocacy groups have successfully passed “Anti-MOC” laws in over 15 states (including Oklahoma, Georgia, and Tennessee) that explicitly prohibit state boards from requiring MOC for the renewal of a medical license. Your license to practice medicine remains secure as long as you meet your state’s specific CME and ethical requirements.

2. If I stop doing modules, will I still be “Board Certified”?

If you have already passed your initial certification or a previous 10-year recertification exam, you remain “Board Certified.” However, your public status on the ABIM website will change to “Certified, Not Meeting MOC Requirements.” This status acknowledges that you have met the rigorous standards of initial certification but have chosen not to participate in the ongoing, proprietary MOC modules. Many physicians find this an acceptable public standing while they advocate for local policy changes.

3. Will I lose my hospital privileges?

This is the most frequent concern, and the answer depends on your specific hospital’s bylaws.

• Most Hospitals: Traditionally, bylaws required “Board Certification.” Since you are still “Certified” (even if not meeting MOC), many hospitals will continue to grant privileges without issue.
• Restrictive Hospitals: Some facilities have updated their language to require physicians to be “Meeting MOC Requirements.” If your hospital is in this category, we recommend using our Action Toolkit to petition your Medical Executive Committee (MEC) to change the bylaw language to recognize “Board Certification” or alternative boards like the NBPAS.

4. How will this affect my insurance and payer contracts?

Similar to hospital privileges, insurance companies generally require “Board Certification.” As long as your status remains “Certified,” most major payers (including Medicare and Medicaid) will continue to reimburse you. Some “narrow network” private insurers may attempt to use “Meeting MOC” as a quality tiering metric. However, legislative efforts in several states now prevent insurers from discriminating against physicians based solely on their MOC participation status.

5. What is the difference between a “Boycott” and “Non-Compliance”?

• Boycott: An intentional, often collective, refusal to pay fees or complete modules as a form of protest to force institutional change.
• Non-Compliance: A status determined by the ABIM when a physician fails to meet the two-year or five-year milestones.

  For the purposes of the PCC, these terms overlap. By joining the Pledge of Non-Compliance, you are signaling to the ABIM that your refusal is a matter of professional principle, not an administrative oversight.

6. Can my hospital require MOC even if my state has an “Anti-MOC” law?

In most cases, yes. Many state laws prohibit the state from requiring MOC, but they often include exceptions for private hospitals to set their own credentialing standards. This is why the PCC focuses heavily on Local Advocacy. The law protects your license; the Medical Executive Committee (MEC) protects your privileges.

7. What should I do if my employer threatens my contract?

If you are an employed physician and receive a notice regarding your MOC status:

1. Verify your contract language: Does it require “Board Certification” or “Participation in MOC”?
2. Highlight your CME record: Present your portfolio of specialty-specific CME as evidence of your commitment to lifelong learning.
3. Collaborate with colleagues: Employers are less likely to take adverse action against a group of physicians than a single individual. Collective action is your strongest protection.

8. Is there a “Point of No Return”?

The ABIM allows physicians to “re-enter” the MOC process at any time by paying back fees and completing outstanding modules. While we hope you remain committed to the boycott until meaningful reform is achieved, you are never permanently barred from the system if your professional circumstances change.