What does MOC mean in HOSPITALS

Maintenance of Certification (MOC) is an educational program established by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to ensure that certificants remain up-to-date in their designated specialty. MOC allows physicians to demonstrate their commitment to patient safety and quality healthcare throughout the duration of a physician's career.

MOC requirements may vary across different medical specialties, but certifying boards typically require re-certification every six to 10 years. Additionally, doctors must typically participate in self-assessment activities, practice assessment activities, and improvement activities on an ongoing basis.

The exact requirements for completing MOC may vary across specialties, but some common activities include passing examinations, completing continuing education courses or modules, participating in practice assessment projects or improvement projects, or completing patient surveys or other quality improvement initiatives.

Yes, most ABMS member boards require physicians who hold a current certificate within the applicable specialty to participate in MOC activities as part of the board's criteria for recertification. Additionally, some licensing boards and hospital privileging organizations may also require physicians to maintain their certification by successfully participating in an ABMS member board's approved MOC program.

Yes, failure to keep up with one's certification may result in sanctions from ABMS member boards including warnings, suspensions or revocation of certification; fines; public censure; removal from preferred provider networks; legal action; termination from employment; exclusion from federal programs such as Medicare/Medicaid; and other measures deemed necessary by state medical boards or private health insurers.