We've heard a lot lately about MOC and its finances: in 2012 the president and CEO of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) pulled down $628,952 and of that amount $465,687 was "base compensation" while $44,742 was "bonus and incentive compensation" These figures come from line (i) of Part II, Schedule J, re "officers, directors, trustees, key employees and highest compensated cmployees" as listed in ABIM's IRS 990 report, 2012.
On the same line in Schedule J the president and CEO is listed as having received $83,654 in "retirement and other deferred compensation." We aren't told what type of compensation format comprised this prize, e.g., was it "defined benefit," 401-K, or something else?
To that was added $34,869 in "non-taxable benefits."
The total for Line (i) for 2012 was $628,952.
Then comes Line (ii): base compensation was $155,229. "Bonus and incentive compensation" was $14,914. "Retirement and other deferred compensation" was $27,885. "Non-taxable benefits" was $11,623. The total for line (ii) was $209,651.
The total for lines (i) and (ii) is $838,603. Not bad, not bad at all for an internist!
Plus there are 15 others at or near or above the $200,000 level.
Where does this money come from?
One answer is possibly from donors, e.g., in 2012 the ABIM Foundation contributed $245,000. The Joshiah Macy Jr. Foundation contributed $151,632 while the Medical University of South Carolina contributed $62,789.
Another answer is that the majority of the money comes from MOC, testing, courses, and programs put on by non-board independent but nonetheless contingent organizations that charge for course attendance that in many cases contributes to MOC recertification. The point is that MOC in its current format cannot be sustained without MOC fees paid by doctors who submit to the programs as though they were necessary to maintain certification in a country where CME (Continuing Medical Education) is available in all 50 states.
The continuing clamor to set MOC aside in favor of alternative programs such as NBPAS (National Board of Physicians and Surgeons) is growing. It won't be the first time that lust for power and money brought down a financial empire, this time possibly the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) where, not incidentally, the president and CEO took down annual compensation of $779,487 in 2013 (Form 990, Schedule 3, Part II -- Officers, Directors, Trustees, Key Employees, and Highest Compensated Employees).
In the ABMS case the declared "base compensation" was $681,188 to which was added $12,500 in "bonus and incentive compensation," $71,000 in "deferred compensation," and $14,799 in "non-taxable benefits." The 990 Form doesn't state if the "deferred compensation" is in the form of "defined benefits" or 401-K or other.
Finally, our observation that some Form 990s don't include all of the officers, directors, trustees, key employees, and highest compensated employees is quizzical. Why not?
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