What to Consider When Negotiation Physician Employment Agreements

Physicians employed by hospitals, group practices, or any other type of healthcare facility usually enter into the business relationship by signing a Physician Employment Agreement unless the physician is an independent contractor. At Jones Health Law, we instruct all of our physician clients to carefully review their Physician Employment Agreement prior to signing.

Many physicians believe that they can’t negotiate the contract. THIS IS NOT TRUE. Every section of the contract can be negotiated by your attorney. If you don’t approve of some of the terms contained therein you have to power to ask your prospective employer to change that provision so that it better suits you and your needs. Of course, the prospective employer may be unwilling to revise some of the terms of the contract, and at that point you have a very important decision to make. You have to decide whether these terms are deal breakers or not. Only you can decide whether you are going to take it or leave it.

There’s no secret that there’s a shortage of physicians and it’s even more difficult to find physicians adequately suited and licensed in certain specialties. Use that to your advantage when you enter the negotiation process. Younger physicians may have more difficulty with negotiating contracts but it is not impossible. You want to place yourself in the best situation possible even if it means walking away from a prospective employer.

Physicians must realize that while working for a specific healthcare facility may initially be a dream job it can turn into a nightmare later on. Terms of the contract can pose limitations on the physician for several years after their employment with that particular employer has concluded.