Anti-Maintenance of Certification Laws and Older Physician Supply

10 Pages Posted: 3 Apr 2024

See all articles by Shishir Shakya

Shishir Shakya

Appalachian State University

Tulasiram Nepal

University of Memphis

Manu Mathew

American University of Antigua

Edward Timmons

West Virginia University - Department of Economics

Abstract

The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) mandates Maintenance of Certification (MOC) exams every ten years. MOC is believed to improve patient care and physician skills, but some states consider it expensive and burdensome and have introduced anti-MOC laws. We exploit state-level staggered adoption of anti-MOC laws and found a 0.7-1% biannual increase in older physicians aged 60+ in states with anti-MOC laws, with no effect on physicians under 60. This 0.7-1% increase translates to 2,243–3,154 additional older physicians aged 60+. The study suggests that anti-MOC laws improve older physician supply and access to health care and address physician shortages.

Keywords: Anti-Maintenance of certification, Physicians, Healthcare access

Suggested Citation

Shakya, Shishir and Nepal, Tulasiram and Mathew, Manu and Timmons, Edward, Anti-Maintenance of Certification Laws and Older Physician Supply. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4780199 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4780199

Shishir Shakya

Appalachian State University ( email )

Boone, NC 28607
United States

HOME PAGE: http://shishirshakya.github.io/

Tulasiram Nepal

University of Memphis ( email )

Memphis, TN 38152
Memphis, TN 38152-3370
United States

Manu Mathew

American University of Antigua ( email )

40 wall street
10 floor
New York, NY
United States
212-661-8899 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.auamed.org

Edward Timmons (Contact Author)

West Virginia University - Department of Economics ( email )

Morgantown, WV 26506
United States

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