Watch Out for CME Audit Notices from the Medical Board

Several physicians have reported to the Pennsylvania Medical Society that auditors from the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine have found discrepancies in their Category 2 CME credits. 

The Pennsylvania Medical Society is working with the state Board of Medicine and the American Medical Association (AMA) to address the discrepancy concerns.  

In the meantime, if you receive a discrepancy notice from the state Board of Medicine, be sure to address it.  

The Pennsylvania Medical Society’s CME department can assist members with CME questions. If you have any questions or need assistance, please call (800) 228-7823. 

More information will be available soon, so stay tuned for details.

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Comments: 3


With all the free CME (Category 1) it is really quite easy to get the required CME any time that is convenient even for the busiest physicians. I don't even record Category 2 any more for exactly the reasons that are outlined by anonymous.

askj2 at 1/15/2010 8:09:32 AM


1) For category 2 credit, the board gives "research project" as an example of an acceptable activity. For this, the board states that you "must document the material used in doing the research project such as internet/journal readings, etc." I submitted complete copies of published articles to the board (as category 2 CME). Even though the submitted articles clearly fulfilled the AMA criteria and followed the guidelines for medical writing and research (not only for category 2, but also for category 1), the board twice would not accept them without further "documentation." The board's reasoning as reflected in their letters to me were incomprehensible. Their request for "documentation" was patently nonsensical, as I had submitted the entire article (text and references/bibliography). After I sent two detailed letters of explanation with explicit references to the board's stated example and to the AMA guidelines for category 1 and category 2 CME credit for published articles and medical writing and research, the board finally accepted what I had submitted. 2) The state board does NOT require obtaining PRA certificates from the AMA. The board also states that PRA certificates are NOT proof of CME compliance by themselves. However, the board states that the physician must supply (to the board) copies of certificates/documents submitted to earn PRA credit. Regarding category 2 CME, the board's guidelines, expectations, and interpretations of acceptable activities (and physician's documentation of such activities) is confusing and, in some instances, contradictory or conflicting with AMA guidelines.

anonymous at 12/18/2009 6:19:13 AM


The malpractice rates for general surgery in Penna ar now $150.000 and become impossible for someone in solo practice. May I keep my license so I can write prescriptions for my family? george.gowen@verizon.net

anonymous at 12/17/2009 4:31:57 PM

Last Updated: 12/17/2009
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