Abp

[exPCM]

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Members don't see this ad.

File attached - Any thoughts?
Also:
From January 2003 ABP newsletter (see: http://www.abpath.org/200301newsltr.htm)
The American Board of Pathology (ABP) is dependent for operating revenue on the fees for its certification examinations. The ABP has led in the development and use of computer systems for the administration of the certification examinations, the use of multiple computer examination sites for the simultaneous administration of primary certification examinations, and the use of a virtual microscope system. In 2003, the ABP will reduce the time for the primary certification examinations (anatomic pathology and clinical pathology) from 1.5 days each to 1 day each. This will decrease the number of weeks in the primary certification examination cycle and decrease result-reporting time.
These developments come at a cost, and the Trustees have reluctantly agreed to increase examination fees to cover this cost. Therefore, the fees will be increased as follows:
Combined examinations (any combination) $2,200
Single examinations $1,800
Recertification $1,000
These fees will become effective for candidates taking examinations after the 2003 Spring primary examinations and will be in effect for all subspecialty examinations in 2003 and for the Fall primary examinations. The fee for recertification will become effective as of the 2003 application cycle.
These increased fees are in line with those charged by American Board of Medical Specialties member boards of comparable size, as determined by the number of diplomates certified yearly.

Spring 2003 primary certification examinations (Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology) of The American Board of Pathology will be administered via computer at the examination centers of:
The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Deerfield, Illinois
The American Board of Radiology, Tucson, Arizona
The American Board of Pathology, Tampa, Florida

From the January 2002 newsletter (see http://www.abpath.org/200201newsltr.htm)
Beginning in 2002, the Spring examinations for primary certification (APCP, AP, or CP) will be held at four computer examination sites. Applicants will indicate their site preferences by ranking all locations in order of preference. Assignments will be made at the discretion of the ABP. The sites are as follows:
Tampa, Florida at the American Board of Pathology
Tucson, Arizona at the American Board of Radiology
Deerfield, Illinois (suburb of Chicago) at the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Dallas, Texas at the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology

My take: when the ABP stopped offering the exam in Arizona, Texas, and Illinois and required everyone to go to Tampa, then shouldn't the cost savings for this tax-exempt institution (the ABP) been passed on by reducing the exam fees?
Also what is the rationale for having the fee for one examination ($1800 for AP or CP) be more than 80 percent of the fee to take both examinations ($2200)?

 

[listeriaismfb]

I knew it was a racket.

 

[EUA]

In the words of the ever wise Black Francis: "Gouge away".

 

[yaah]

I am curious as to this too - I know I have heard direct from ABP board members that they are not really making money off of this and are charging as little as possible. But who knows, perhaps 10% of those fees goes to a slush fund for future potential years where funding diminishes, maybe more goes to fund retreats for ABP trustees where they discuss boards questions and issues, maybe a lot of it is going into increased technology for application purposes. I mean, buying the virtual microscopy stuff is not cheap. They are also moving towards virtual applications. I suspect their expenses have gone up a lot for these and other reasons. Maybe it is more expensive to have everything in tampa? I doubt it but it's possible - they have to rent that large office year round instead of only occasionally.

Maybe fees will go down when recertification fees begin to be instituted? Maybe part of the increase now is going towards development of the recertification things, of which they cannot get any money for right now?

 

[LADoc00]

1000 dollar recert computer exam?

they cant be serious...

 

[exPCM]

Does anyone have any opinions/insights on the ABP?

 

[yaah]

Looks to me like they take in a bit over $3 million per year and have about a million less in expenses. I am no accountant though. It also looks as though last year they made a lot more money than in the past ($1.2 m out of net assets prior to the year of $5.9 m). They pay close to $1 m in wages to staff, the rest is for supplies, rent, legal fees, all that. Only $286k for conferences, conventions and meetings which I guess while high is not extreme for the organization. To me, while it would be nice to see expenses come closer to actual income, I don't know if this is that out of the ordinary for similar organizations. They need to accumulate savings for major expenses in the future, and who knows what these are at this time. Looks like they could have lowered exam fees by 10% or more and still done ok though!

As far as the lower fee for taking both AP and CP together, I think that's obviously an incentive to do both at once. It probably increases the board's efficiency as well.

 

[listeriaismfb]

Just a heads up here for any 2006 diplomates out there...

The ABP had an update regarding MOC...

All 2006 diplomates have until 01/31/09 to get their MOC crap together and submitted to the ABP, along with the $50 check.

Cut and paste directly from the ABP web site... Please note that reporting this information to the ABP is a requirement of MOC and failure to comply could put your certification in jeopardy. If you have questions, please send them to [email protected].

 

[LADoc00]

Just a heads up here for any 2006 diplomates out there...

The ABP had an update regarding MOC...

All 2006 diplomates have until 01/31/09 to get their MOC crap together and submitted to the ABP, along with the $50 check.

Cut and paste directly from the ABP web site... Please note that reporting this information to the ABP is a requirement of MOC and failure to comply could put your certification in jeopardy. If you have questions, please send them to [email protected].

NO ONE should be recerting subspec. board certifications IMO once they have a job. Dont give these theives more of your $$$.

 

[listeriaismfb]

Agree that they are theiving bastards.

However, if you're a 2006 diplomate holding a time-limited AP/CP certificate, they have you by the nads.

 

[exPCM]

Looks to me like they take in a bit over $3 million per year and have about a million less in expenses. I am no accountant though. It also looks as though last year they made a lot more money than in the past ($1.2 m out of net assets prior to the year of $5.9 m). They pay close to $1 m in wages to staff, the rest is for supplies, rent, legal fees, all that. Only $286k for conferences, conventions and meetings which I guess while high is not extreme for the organization. To me, while it would be nice to see expenses come closer to actual income, I don't know if this is that out of the ordinary for similar organizations. They need to accumulate savings for major expenses in the future, and who knows what these are at this time. Looks like they could have lowered exam fees by 10% or more and still done ok though!

As far as the lower fee for taking both AP and CP together, I think that's obviously an incentive to do both at once. It probably increases the board's efficiency as well.

Excellent points. Thanks.