Contracts and Employment Agreements for Physicians

Physician contract terms beyond salary and signing bonuses are examined, emphasizing their significant impact on a physician's financial well-being and career autonomy. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding malpractice tail coverage, including occurrence vs. claims-made policies, and how different termination circumstances affect who pays the premium. Also covered is the impact of revenue cycle delays on physician compensation, particularly when variable pay structures are involved, and the necessity of negotiating a stipend or income floor to cover expenses during the initial ramp-up period. The hosts stress the importance of negotiating contract terms to allow for flexibility, such as tapering FTE for locums work or pursuing outside business ventures, and encourage physicians to view contract negotiation as a collaborative problem-solving process.