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Contracts for the Beginning Physician . Kathleen A. Meyerle Legal Counsel Mayo Clinic. Practice Arrangements. Forms of Practice Arrangements Employment Ownership Independent Contractor Written agreement State law. Contracting Basics. Elements Offer no contingency Acceptance
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Contracts for the Beginning Physician Kathleen A. Meyerle Legal Counsel Mayo Clinic
Practice Arrangements • Forms of Practice Arrangements • Employment • Ownership • Independent Contractor • Written agreement • State law
Contracting Basics • Elements • Offer • no contingency • Acceptance • Consideration • Contract limits • Legal counsel
Employer Compensation Benefits Leaves Expenses Liability insurance Facilities and support Physician Scope of services maintain qualifications Work Effort Standards of practice Non-compete agreement Duties
Fixed Incentives Level of effort Practice buy-in cost financing Limitations on Compensation Tax-exempt/For-Profit Employer Anti-kickback Self referral (Stark) Compensation
Benefits • Health/dental Insurance • Disability Insurance • Life Insurance • Pension/profit sharing
Vacation Sick leave Parental leave CME Scheduling -priority Employer approval Administrative (board exams, family emergencies, funerals) Leaves
Dues & memberships Medical/HMO staff fees Journals Travel/CME expenses License fees Equipment purchase Disallowed by law repayment taxes/benefit Expenses Reimbursed
Professional Liability Insurance • Claims made • Occurrence • Tail coverage • sliding scale on payment
Facilities and Services “Reasonably needed to perform duties” • Equipment • Facilities • Supplies • Medical and administrative support staff • Books and records • Billing system
Scope of Work • Procedures • Special patient populations • Work effort • call schedule • teaching • research • Licenses, privileges & certifications • Volunteer activities
Non-compete Condition • Employer investment • Courts dislike • Limit as to area and duration • 1-2 years • Reasonable boundaries • Liquidated damages/buy out • Expensive to litigate
Limits on Employer Authority • Standards, policies, record keeping, treatment procedures, and fees to be charged • Autonomy with patient care decisions • Practice of medicine • Autonomy for patient appointments • Business practice
Other Terms • Confidentiality • Business • Patient • Use of Employee’s Name • Term • Termination • voluntary versus involuntary
Notice Severability Waiver of rights Captions Assignability Arbitration Governing law Entire agreement General Provisions
Evaluate the offer Wants/needs Creative Flexible Realistic Negotiate Read the contract Understand it Get professional help Negotiating Tips
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