MC-FP Deadlines Approaching for Some ABFM Diplomates

This month, three groups of family physicians certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, or ABFM, have important deadlines to meet to comply with requirements of the ABFM's Maintenance of Certification Program for Family Physicians, or MC-FP. The groups are diplomates who certified or recertified in 2003 and chose the 10-year certification path; those who certified or recertified the same year but chose the seven-year certification path; and those who certified or recertified in 2006 and who wish to remain on the 10-year certification path.

According to Robert Cattoi, ABFM manager of communications, ABFM diplomates in the first group must complete MC-FP stage two by Dec. 31 of this year. The three-year certification extension will be awarded when stage two has been successfully completed, providing that the diplomate has a valid, unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States or Canada on Dec. 31.

Stage two requirements include two MC-FP Part II modules, known as self-assessment modules, and one Part IV module, which may be a performance-in-practice module, or PPM (see sidebar); a methods-in-medicine module, or MIMM; or an approved alternative.

The ABFM's MIMM is designed to meet the needs of diplomates who practice in environments in which they do not have access to a continuity practice they can use to complete PPMs. The Patient Safety Improvement Program from the American Board of Medical Specialties, or ABMS, offers an additional option for meeting MC-FP Part IV requirements.

Diplomates who certified or recertified in 2003 and are currently on the seven-year certification path must complete the MC-FP requirements for that seven-year cycle before the application process for the next recertification exam can be completed, Cattoi said.

MC-FP requirements for the seven-year cycle include completion of six Part II modules and one Part IV module.

Diplomates who certified or recertified in 2006 and who wish to remain on the 10-year certification path must complete MC-FP stage one by Dec. 31 of this year, Cattoi said. A three-year extension to the certificate will be awarded when stage two is successfully completed.

Stage one requirements include the option to complete either three Part II modules or two Part II modules and one Part IV module.

Because some available Part IV options are activities that require a minimum of three months to complete, Cattoi noted, diplomates who need to complete the Part IV requirement in calendar year 2009 are strongly encouraged to select and begin a Part IV activity that can be completed before the end of the year, such as the MIMM or ABMS' Patient Safety Improvement Program.

According to Cattoi, diplomates who certified or recertified in 2003 and who are on the 10-year path must complete their activities by Dec. 31; otherwise, they revert to the seven-year path. Diplomates on the 10-year path who complete the required MC-FP activities on time can wait until 2013 to take their next recertification exam. However, if these diplomates do not complete their MC-FP activities on time, their certificates will expire in 2010, and they will need to sign up for the recertification examination in January 2010.

Complete information about the MC-FP stages can be found on the ABFM Web site. In addition, all MC-FP materials are available online only. Diplomates may access MC-FP modules at their convenience from any location with Internet access.

ABFM diplomates can check their MC-FP status by visiting "Track Your Progress" within their Physician Portfolio or by contacting the ABFM Support Center by phone at (877) 223-7437 or by e-mail.