Board eligible but not board certified physicians

[doc418]

Hi everyone, I d really appreciate if someone knowledgable in this issue can answer my question. I would like to find out what kind of options do board eligible doctors (those who finish residency and have licence) who don't intend to take board certification exam have of working as a physician. I understand that u can work up to 5 years post residency anywhere until u pass ur boards. If u choose not to take board certifcation, can u still make a decent living as a physician (most likely working for others I guess). If u have any examples of such people please share. Also what insurance companies in tri-state area would reimburse a board eligible doctor who is not board certified. ( I understand that some like medicaid and some HMOs won't, but which do?) If u are familiar with issue I d love to hear ur input. Thanx a lot.

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[Kalel]

It doesn't seem like it's a big deal to not be board certified these days. I was talking with an attending about this recently, and he told me that ever since the ABIM (American Board of Internal Medicine) changed it's board requirements to being tested every ten years along with completing education requirements, a lot of physicians are failing the re-test (particularly those that don't practice general internal medicine, and even those that do since the test is written by specialists in every specialty) and some aren't taking it because they don't have the time to do the required education course or to study for the test. Up until ~20-30 yrs ago, physicians used to only have to take the board once and then they were board certified for life. There are certain hospitals and groups that won't accept you if you aren't board certified, but if you are already in practice, I don't think that it's that big of a deal to not be board certified. I don't think that medicare and most insurance companies have a problem with it. This is just the impression that I got from this one community attending who is board certified.

 

[ny skindoc]

I would disagree.Not being board certified can be a problem.It has become the standard for professional competence in recent years.Many HMOs are not taking in new specialists who are not certified.In the past it didnt matter between eligible or certified.If you practice in a physician shortage area where they need your specialty they will look the other way.In NY some non board certified physicians hire certified docs so they can get on HMO panels through them.While it is possible to practice your field without certification its not a great position to be in and may put you at a disadvantage.In most specialties the pass rate for the certification boards are very high often 80-90%.You have studied for the MCAT,USMLE etc a little more effort after a residency will get you certified.As for the re-certification boards they are usually open book tests not designed to fail anyone,anyone who does fail probably was too busy(or too lazy) to look up the answers or study the review materials.

 

[beyond all hope]

Many hospitals will hire you BE with the stipulation that you become certified in a few years. If not, you're out on your ...you know.

Don't fail your boards. Study hard for the inservice exam every year and you'll be prepared.

 

[DrQuinn]

You may run into trouble with licensing as well as insurance reimbursement issues.

Q, DO

 

[doc418]

Thanx guys for your input. I understand that your practice will be limited if u are not board certified, BUT thinking logically having been licenced in IM and completing a good residency program should allow u to work as a doctor understandibly with some limitation due to some insurance companies and hospitals requiring BC. Logically speaking u should be able to get a job working for someone else--under the umbrella of another IM doctor or a clinic (this will help with reimbursment). I am just looking for an assurance that after finishing residency and if for some reason I can't take board certification I would still be able to feed my family as a physician, understandably not earning 160k but at least 80k which would be enough for me. Have anyone see this practicaly done? Do u know of any non-board certified docs making a living? Thanx again

 

[DrMom]

I used to do physician credentialing for insurance companies, hospitals, and practice groups. The vast majority required board certification. You could be severely limiting your practice if you're not board certified these days.

If you can't get on the insurance provider list and you can't get priveledges at the hospitals you have problems...especially in areas that are managed care heavy.

 

[Andrew_Doan]

It used to be okay for ophthalmologists to be BE; however, with recent changes, Board Certification will be necessary. Ophthalmologists without Board Certification may not be able to get malpractice insurance or practice.

 

[ny skindoc]

If you were not board certified but only eligible you could get a job someplace..your family will not starve.However as you can see above there will be many problems,so plan on passing the test.

 

[5oProlene]

One thing to remember: Lawyers

They salivate at the thought of suing a doctor who is only board eligible, not board certified, as they know they can cast a huge doubt in the jury's mind as to whether the doctor is "competent" in a malpractice lawsuit.

It would probably go down something like this:


Lawyer: "So Dr, would you tell the jury of your medical qualifications."

Dr: "Well I graduated from medical school and completed my residency."

Lawyer: "And of course you are certified by your specialty to competently practice medicine."

Dr: "Well ummm, actually I'm eligible to be certified."

Lawyer: "Eligible? You mean you are not certified by your specialty to practice medicine?"

Dr: "Well ahhh, not technically, but I have done all the training."

Lawyer: "So you're telling us that you are not officially certified to practice your specialty."

Dr: "Well uhhh, not technically."

Lawyer: "In other words you have not passed the exam most other doctors in your specialty have passed to show competence in your specialty after residency training."

Dr: "Ummm, yeah I guess that's true."

Lawyer: "You guess? Did you also "guess" when you misdiagnosed my client? Are you or are you not officially certified to practice your specialty?"

Dr: "No, I'm not officially certified in my specialty."

Lawyer: "I have no further questions".