Items To Consider When Negotiating Physician Employment Agreements

The webinar reviews various elements of the physician employment agreement, focusing on the pitfalls and the problems that can develop when the agreement does not clearly define the relationship, and/or when the parties do not fully understand what is being agreed to. Such items as term and termination, termination for cause, duties of the physician, call, non-compete, and compensation are all items that should be clearly set out in the agreement and fully understood by the parties.

WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?

You should attend to gain an understanding of what should and what should not be in a physician employment agreement.

Formal written contracts establish the legal relationship between the parties; they state the terms and conditions of that relationship and the rights and obligations of each party. They confirm the intentions and relationships of the parties as they enter into this relationship, and they eliminate uncertainties regarding mutual rights, obligations, and relationships. If everything remained as it is at the time the agreement is signed, there would be little need for formal documents. However, the agreement serves to protect against future disputes. Therefore, it should include as precise language as possible. Ambiguous terms in agreements are of little effect when disputes occur over the meaning of a party’s rights or obligations.

AREA COVERED

• Contracts between physicians and their employers are to formalize new or preexisting relationships, regardless of whether the employer is a hospital or a physician practice. The needs and goals of the parties must shape the negotiations and the agreement’s terms. The agreement should not dictate or lead to goals or results that neither party wants.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• To provide the attendee with an understanding of the elements of a physician employment agreement, including why certain items should be covered and what to review very carefully.

WHO WILL BENEFIT?

• Hospital executives, particularly CEOs, COOs, CFOs, CNOs, and CMOS
• Physicians
• Physician practice managers.