Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Collaborates with the American Board of Internal Medicine to Recognize Maintenance of Certification

Philadelphia, PA, The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) announced today a collaboration with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) to provide internists recognition for their quality improvement activities through the ABIM Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Internists across North Carolina can receive additional recognition from BCBSNC for their work by completing an ABIM PIM Practice Improvement Module® - an innovative Web-based assessment tool that allows physicians to analyze and evaluate practice performance so that they can improve the quality of patient care.

BCBSNC becomes the twentieth health plan to collaborate with ABIM in rewarding and/or recognizing internists and subspecialist from across the country for their efforts to improve the quality of care they provide to patients.

"The valuable collaboration between ABIM and BCBSNC highlights our commitment of providing opportunities for physicians to leverage their active participation in Maintenance of Certification for rewards or recognition," said ABIM President and CEO, Christine K. Cassel, MD. "PIMs provide physicians the opportunity to evaluate how they are treating their patients and make improvements where needed."

To participate, physicians must be enrolled in the MOC program and complete a PIM. On a voluntary basis, physicians then authorize ABIM to send information about completed PIM to the health plan they choose for use in their quality recognition programs-providing access to incentives without the administrative burden traditionally involved with reporting quality measures.

"Many of our physicians are already engaged in rigorous quality improvement activities, and we are proud to award and recognize those that have made a commitment to improving patient care," said Dr. Don Bradley, BCBSNC chief medical officer. "Collaborating with ABIM on this recognition aligns with our commitment to improving the quality of care for our customers."

About ABIM
For more than 75 years, certification by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) has stood for the highest standard in internal medicine and its 19 subspecialties and has meant that internists have demonstrated – to their peers and to the public – that they have the clinical judgment, skills and attitudes essential for the delivery of excellent patient care. ABIM is not a membership society, but a non-profit, independent evaluation organization. Our accountability is both to the profession of medicine and to the public. ABIM is a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties. For additional updates, follow ABIM on Facebook and Twitter.

About BCBSNC:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is a leader in delivering innovative health care products, services and information to more than 3.6 million members, including approximately 900,000 served on behalf of other Blue Plans. For 78 years, the company has served its customers by offering health insurance at a competitive price and has served the people of North Carolina through support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute in 2012. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit BCBSNC online at bcbsnc.com.