The Monthly Dose: October 2025

For years, physicians have expressed concern about the increasing burden and uncertain value of mandated “maintenance of certification”(MOC) programs. Now, that issue is gaining national attention. In The Wall Street Journal, NBPAS President Dr. Paul Teirstein highlights how the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) have built a runaway monopoly that holds physicians’ careers and livelihoods hostage.

The op-ed captures what many physicians experience every day: costly, time-consuming testing requirements that add administrative pressure but no measurable benefit to patient care. Dr. Teirstein points out that despite decades of MOC programs, there is no evidence they improve outcomes, but mounting evidence that they contribute to burnout and early retirement.

This piece finally brings national attention to a long-standing frustration among physicians and highlights the urgent need for a modern, evidence-based certification system that promotes clinical excellence over bureaucracy.

NBPAS is sharing the article with those responsible for antitrust and healthcare competition oversight to ensure physicians’ voices are heard and as part of our ongoing efforts to create a fairer, more accountable certification system. Together, we can move toward a future where certification empowers physicians and strengthens patient care.

NBPAS is pleased to announce that Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has officially added the National Board of Physicians & Surgeons (NBPAS) as a Highmark Recognized Board Certification. Highmark serves members across Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, and New York, making this a meaningful expansion of physician choice in key regions where Highmark maintains a strong provider network.

Highmark’s NBPAS recognition marks another step in modernizing the credentialing landscape to include lifelong learning pathways that are evidence-based, less burdensome, and better aligned with how physicians maintain clinical excellence in practice. We are proud of this progress which further strengthens the case for choice in continuous certification while reinforcing NBPAS’ shared commitment to the highest standards of patient care.