Physicians must pay attention to a new American Board of Medical Specialties policy in effect this year, according to a Physician News editorial, which targets the amount of time a physician has to attain board certification following residency.
The policy, which took effect in January, calls on each of the 24 specialty member boards to establish a limit ranging from three to seven years between completion of training and completion of board certification. After that time, a physician who has not attained certification will be ineligible until he completes the requirements of that member board for re-entry into the examination process.
"Implementing this policy can have negative consequences for physicians who do not attain board certification, but can no longer claim board eligibility, if the hospital's criteria for admission to the medical staff include a board eligibility or board certification requirement," wrote Joyce McLaughlin, senior counsel at Davis & Wilkerson.
Report: PPACA Would Reduce Physician Shortage in Rural Communities
Ambulatory Surgery Center at Plains Regional Medical Center Sees Jump in Patient Satisfaction
The policy, which took effect in January, calls on each of the 24 specialty member boards to establish a limit ranging from three to seven years between completion of training and completion of board certification. After that time, a physician who has not attained certification will be ineligible until he completes the requirements of that member board for re-entry into the examination process.
"Implementing this policy can have negative consequences for physicians who do not attain board certification, but can no longer claim board eligibility, if the hospital's criteria for admission to the medical staff include a board eligibility or board certification requirement," wrote Joyce McLaughlin, senior counsel at Davis & Wilkerson.
Related Articles on Business / Accounting / HR:
New Apps, Technology Focus on Medical EfficiencyReport: PPACA Would Reduce Physician Shortage in Rural Communities
Ambulatory Surgery Center at Plains Regional Medical Center Sees Jump in Patient Satisfaction