Burr Article: A Physician is Leaving Your Practice - "Must Have" Employment Agreement Provisions (Part II)
The following is the second installment of a three-part series discussing important provisions in physician employment agreements.
When a physician leaves a medical practice, especially if the physician stays in the area to compete against his/her former employer, the situation can become stressful and acrimonious. During the final weeks of employment, the departing physician can start to focus more on his/her new practice to the detriment of the current employer, and disputes often arise regarding access to medical records, soliciting patients and employees and when to schedule procedures - before or after termination. We have seen both medical practices and departing physicians engage in questionable conduct in order to keep as many patients as possible. Lawyers are often engaged to try and negotiate the terms of separation or, in a worse-case scenario, to file or defend a lawsuit.
Over the years, we have counseled hundreds of physician practices on how to successfully navigate the various issues that arise when a physician departs, regardless of whether the physician is an employee or an owner. Careful planning on the front end through a comprehensive employment agreement is the most important element in an amicable and fair separation. More often than not, we have found that disputes and subsequent litigation can arise when the employment agreement is not properly drafted or does not adequately address the specific terms of separation.
This three-part series provides a summary of the key provisions (with sample language) that can be incorporated into a physician employment agreement to help mitigate problems when a physician leaves your practice. Since each medical practice is unique, please consult with your own attorney before using any of the provided sample provisions in a physician employment agreement.
Download the full article, "Burr Article: A Physician is Leaving Your Practise - "Must Have" Employment Agreement Provisions (Part II)," written by Howard E. Bogard and Kelli C. Fleming.
