As more hospitals and medical groups take the leap to employ physicians, some may be wondering about the best practices for physician employment agreements.
The ideal agreement is one that is understood between both parties, according to a new American Medical Association guide, "Annotated Model Physician-Hospital Employment Agreement," that stresses comprehending physician rights.
With legalese prevalent in many agreements, physicians and hospitals clearly should state job duties, compensation, expense reimbursement, employer-paid benefits and confidentiality clauses, as well as due process rights. In addition, physicians and hospitals should ensure that their agreement does not conflict with other existing agreements that a physician who practices in multiple locations may have with outside organizations.
AMA also recommends that hospitals and physicians seek legal counsel before establishing and signing an agreement.
To learn more:
- read the amednews story
- download the AMA manual and sample physician employment agreement (free for AMA members; available for purchase for nonmembers)