ISMIE Offers RELIEF for Audit Anxiety

Precise continuing medical education (CME) documentation is key to hassle-free medical license renewal

With a July 31, 2005, deadline, it's already one-third of the way into the 2002-2005 medical license renewal cycle. Here ISMIE shares guidelines to help physicians avoid the most common CME violations as reported in a recent audit by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Take note - documentation requirements vary with the type of CME credit earned.

• Category 1 CME credit (formal) - 60 hours. The original certificate of participation must be retained as proof of completion.
• Category 2 CME credit (informal) - 90 hours. Since these hours are self-directed activities (such as journal reading and participation in peer review activities), documentation of the type of learning activity, and the date and duration of the activity will suffice.

>Alternative documentation

The AMA Physician Recognition Award (PRA) also is accepted as proof of CME completion; however, it's important to understand the fine print. AMA PRA certificates are valid for up to three years. In order for the certificate to count toward CME credits, the activity must take place during the current renewal cycle. Therefore, a certificate earned in July 2002 will not be accepted for the current renewal cycle, no matter how long the certificate is valid.

Retired physicians

Many physicians continue to write prescriptions after retiring from active practice. In order to do so, physicians must retain their medical licenses. This means retired physicians will have to complete all 150 CME credits for each three-year renewal cycle.

Waivers

CME waivers are rarely issued, and usually to recognize temporary situations, such as chemotherapy and military service. Since CME credit can now be obtained through alternative vehicles (i.e., online CME and written CME courses), waivers are not usually granted for chronic ailments, such as cardiac disease or arthritis.

CME documentation may seem complicated, but the above guidelines should help ease the way toward medical license renewal. ISMIE Mutual and ISMS offer a variety of CME activities to fulfill license renewal obligations. See the back page of this newsletter and check out www.ismie.com. and www.isms.org for more offerings.