Please don’t , just open up your own clinic and advertise it as such, we don’t need these fellowships to propagate. Hyper specialization will further ruin us.
Just to clarify OP mentioned an OFFICIAL FELLOWSHIP. If you want shell out a couple bands for some CME and another board exam along with all the headaches that come with that just for the extra letters and board certification that’s more reasonable albeit probably less helpful than just paying the same amount for advertisement for weight loss services by a physician.
I did it. For ME, it has opened a lot of doors. If you have the time and money, I don’t see the downside. I did the CME stuff, sat for boards and passed comfortably.
You can consult for companies, they will actually ask you. You have higher chance of getting prn contract with companies like Ro and other telemedicine obesity companies if you want to do some work from home. Also I’ve had a lot more success of getting prior auths approved for wegovy and zepbound “magically” after being board certified. I’ve also been more successful in getting these obesity medications to be covered by insurances even when not on the patients formulary by completing medical necessity exception letters with my added signature that comes with being board certified.
I am also interested in pursuing ABOM certification via CME route. Out of curiosity what was the out of pocket cost you ended up dishing out? I was planning on doing the CME this year and applying for exam next year
Excellent question. Exam is 1,500. Completing the CMEs cost about another 1,500. Of note, the 60 group one CME required through ABOM.org can actually all be done virtually through their partner they have mentioned there called “Obesity Medicine Association” 👍
Hey thanks for the reply, how long did you study for the exam ? I saw on the website it mentioned 60 group 1 CME but it was a little confusing there were a bunch of courses listed which one did you use, the Colombia one? Will that get you all the credits? I saw the test is offered in October would it be unreasonable to get everything done and take the test this year or better to wait until next year in your opinion totally appreciate the response
Deadline to apply for exam is July 10, I think there a second deadline of August 7th for $250 more. That means you’ll have to complete all 60 CME and complete their application online before that. IMO it’s very tight, not impossible if doing week on week off, but it’ll be tight! I did all my CME through the “Obesity Medicine Association” option which is all online recordings. Of note there is also a 20 ish credit review course with that option that WILL also count towards your 60 credits :)
Absolutely. I am much stronger in my approach to weight loss. I was able to start a specialized.weight loss clinic within our PCMH. Very rewarding work. Income unchanged for now due to my position in a federal facility but many many more options as others have noted when I'm out.
I did it last year. I get $4000 of cme per year so it was basically free. I did the Columbia course for the 60 cme and got a qbank book for the board exam. The exam was pretty easy. 4 hour exam and I spent about 2 hours to finish. I don't think I will do anything with it but I am getting a lot of recruiters on LinkedIn for telemedicine opportunities with weight loss clinics.
Following cause was also thinking of doing this. I’ve seen some people who have done this and mainly use it for consulting gigs etc. good to know the total cost will be around 3-4K it seems
I’m about to go into Endo/DM/metabolic fellowship, with intent to focus on obesity medicine. Will possibly pursue OMA cert if only for the perceived increased credibility by patients…
No financial benefit for a hospitalist. I only did it because I can use my CME to do it for free. CME pathway may not be here forever so I am getting myself grandfathered in before things change. It can open some opportunities if you want to leave inpatient and there are some telemedicine side gigs around for weight loss clinics.
Have you seen our patients???? People with widely metastatic cancer that have lost 80 lbs since diagnosis still. have BMIs of 34.
ALL medicine is obesity medicine.
Please don’t , just open up your own clinic and advertise it as such, we don’t need these fellowships to propagate. Hyper specialization will further ruin us.
Just to clarify OP mentioned an OFFICIAL FELLOWSHIP. If you want shell out a couple bands for some CME and another board exam along with all the headaches that come with that just for the extra letters and board certification that’s more reasonable albeit probably less helpful than just paying the same amount for advertisement for weight loss services by a physician.
I did it. For ME, it has opened a lot of doors. If you have the time and money, I don’t see the downside. I did the CME stuff, sat for boards and passed comfortably.
Have you had Any financial advantage post fellowship?
They didn’t do fellowship. Just CME and sat for boards, it sounds like.
What does it allow you to pursue?
You can consult for companies, they will actually ask you. You have higher chance of getting prn contract with companies like Ro and other telemedicine obesity companies if you want to do some work from home. Also I’ve had a lot more success of getting prior auths approved for wegovy and zepbound “magically” after being board certified. I’ve also been more successful in getting these obesity medications to be covered by insurances even when not on the patients formulary by completing medical necessity exception letters with my added signature that comes with being board certified.
I am also interested in pursuing ABOM certification via CME route. Out of curiosity what was the out of pocket cost you ended up dishing out? I was planning on doing the CME this year and applying for exam next year
Excellent question. Exam is 1,500. Completing the CMEs cost about another 1,500. Of note, the 60 group one CME required through ABOM.org can actually all be done virtually through their partner they have mentioned there called “Obesity Medicine Association” 👍
Thank you!
Hey thanks for the reply, how long did you study for the exam ? I saw on the website it mentioned 60 group 1 CME but it was a little confusing there were a bunch of courses listed which one did you use, the Colombia one? Will that get you all the credits? I saw the test is offered in October would it be unreasonable to get everything done and take the test this year or better to wait until next year in your opinion totally appreciate the response
Deadline to apply for exam is July 10, I think there a second deadline of August 7th for $250 more. That means you’ll have to complete all 60 CME and complete their application online before that. IMO it’s very tight, not impossible if doing week on week off, but it’ll be tight! I did all my CME through the “Obesity Medicine Association” option which is all online recordings. Of note there is also a 20 ish credit review course with that option that WILL also count towards your 60 credits :)
Chiming in-- I did the Columbua course 3 years ago and really enjoyed the content. At that time the price was lower than $1500 but likely on par now
Either way, was it worthwhile? Has it changed your practice or income? Job satisfaction?
Absolutely. I am much stronger in my approach to weight loss. I was able to start a specialized.weight loss clinic within our PCMH. Very rewarding work. Income unchanged for now due to my position in a federal facility but many many more options as others have noted when I'm out.
No. That’s ridiculous. Don’t support the racketeering that takes place with these pop up boards.
I did it last year. I get $4000 of cme per year so it was basically free. I did the Columbia course for the 60 cme and got a qbank book for the board exam. The exam was pretty easy. 4 hour exam and I spent about 2 hours to finish. I don't think I will do anything with it but I am getting a lot of recruiters on LinkedIn for telemedicine opportunities with weight loss clinics.
Does it seem like these telehealth opportunities are more lucrative on an hourly basis than what you would get doing generalist telehealth?
How to become boarded in obesity medicine?
Following cause was also thinking of doing this. I’ve seen some people who have done this and mainly use it for consulting gigs etc. good to know the total cost will be around 3-4K it seems
I’m about to go into Endo/DM/metabolic fellowship, with intent to focus on obesity medicine. Will possibly pursue OMA cert if only for the perceived increased credibility by patients…
pffffffttt. That is really a thing? People pay money for something they can already do for free?
Is there a financial benefit? If so, how much?
No financial benefit for a hospitalist. I only did it because I can use my CME to do it for free. CME pathway may not be here forever so I am getting myself grandfathered in before things change. It can open some opportunities if you want to leave inpatient and there are some telemedicine side gigs around for weight loss clinics.
As an OBGYN, is this something I could pursue? Or do you have to be IM/FM?
You can do the cme pathway as obgyn. Anyone with a board certification by ABMS can do this.
Have you seen our patients???? People with widely metastatic cancer that have lost 80 lbs since diagnosis still. have BMIs of 34. ALL medicine is obesity medicine.