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Topics

Drop is the highest of any profession measured, but overall, doctors are still near the top of the list for public trust

Poll: Trust in medical doctors has fallen 14 points since 2021

The number of doctors working for hospitals and private equity-backed firms is on the rise

Private equity and hospital-affiliated physicians are more expensive than independent docs

Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, former CDC director, co-authored a special report on the physician shortage in the U.S., published in the New England Journal of Medicine. 

Former CDC director issues special report on the U.S. physician shortage 

As health care moves home, primary care physicians are stepping in to ensure care stays personal and effective.

Where primary care fits in the shift toward home care

$3.9 million grant intended to boost primary care and help rural areas in the state

Arizona invests in program to help reduce the critical shortage of primary physicians

Physician recruitment agreements: What are they and what are the risks?

Physician recruitment agreements: What are the key elements that should be included in an agreement?

Physician recruitment agreements: How do compensation structures in recruitment agreements typically vary?

Physician recruitment agreements: How do signing bonuses, relocation expenses, or loan repayment incentives factor into recruitment agreements?

Physician recruitment agreements: The role of noncompete agreements and the risks involved

Physician recruitment agreements: The legal implications for the physician if the recruitment agreement is breached

Physician recruitment agreements: How does the length of the contract or the term of employment impact the enforceability of the agreement?

Physician recruitment agreements: Real-world examples of how agreements can go wrong

Physician recruitment agreements: Why physician fail to have them reviewed

A physician recruitment agreement is a contract between a health care organization and a physician to address staffing needs in a specific location, often in underserved areas. These agreements typically offer incentives like salary guarantees, relocation assistance, and loan forgiveness, often structured as “forgivable loans” that are waived over time if the physician meets obligations such as staying in the area or maintaining patient volumes.

While beneficial, these agreements carry risks. Physicians may face repayment obligations if they leave before the contract term ends, potentially owing substantial sums. Non-compete clauses can further restrict future practice locations, limiting career flexibility. Misaligned expectations regarding patient volumes, staff support, or facilities can lead to dissatisfaction. Additionally, recruitment agreements must comply with federal regulations, such as the Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute, to avoid legal issues. Physicians should review agreements carefully, ideally with legal counsel, to fully understand their commitments and minimize risks.

, an attorney and practice group manager, healthcare, with Roetzel & Andress, about the workings and risks of these agreements.

Videos

Physician recruitment agreements may seem straightforward, but they can be rife with risks for physicians signing one, including limits on where they can practice. Every agreement should be carefully reviewed before accepting the terms.

Physician recruitment agreements: What you need to know before signing one

Why physicians don't have an attorney review recruitment agreements

Physician recruitment agreements often sound great for the physician, but the agreement may not always work out well. These bad endings are a risk, but these 

 are avoidable, if an attorney reviews it before signing.

Ericka Adler, a health care attorney with 

, discusses the risks involved when signing a physician recruitment agreement and what doctors should look out for. Only after a careful 

 and legal review should a document be signed.

Physicians have many reasons for not having a contract reviewed, but not doing so puts them at extreme risk

Physician recruitment agreements: Why many doctors don't have them reviewed by an attorney

Real world examples that illustrate how physician recruitment agreements can go wrong

Real-world examples that illustrate how recruitment agreements can end badly for physicians

Physician recruitment agreements: Real-world examples that illustrate how these agreements can go wrong

•	How does the length of the contract or the term of employment impact the enforceability of the recruitment agreement?

Physician recruitment agreements often sound great for the physician, but the agreement may be affected by the length of the contract. These limitations may come with risks if not followed, but these 

How does the length of the contract or the term of employment impact the enforceability of the physician recruiting agreement?

Physician recruitment agreements: •	How does the length of the contract or the term of employment impact the enforceability of the agreement?

The legal implications for the physicians if the recruitment agreement is breached

Physician recruitment agreements often sound great for the physician, but the agreement may be limiting. These limitations may come with risks if not followed, but these 

Understanding the legal implications for the physician if the recruitment agreement is breached

Physician recruitment agreements: What are the legal implications for the physician if the agreement is breached?

The role and enforceability of noncompete clauses in physician recruitment agreements

Physician recruitment agreements often sound great for the physician, but the agreement may contain a noncompete clause. These limitations may come with risks, but these 

The role of non-compete clauses in physician recruitment agreements. What are the best practices for these agreements?

Physician recruitment agreements: The role and enforceability of noncompete clauses

•	How do signing bonuses, relocation expenses, or loan repayment incentives factor into recruitment agreements, and what legal considerations come with these perks?

Physician recruitment agreements often sound great for the physician, but the agreement may contain signing bonuses, relocation expenses, or loan repayment options. These perks may come with risks, but these 

How do signing bonuses, relocation expenses, or loan repayment incentives factor into recruitment agreements, and what legal considerations come with these perks?

Physician recruitment agreements: Understanding signing bonuses, relocation expenses, or loan repayment incentives.

How compensation structures vary in physician recruitment agreements

Physician recruitment agreements can have various compensation structures, and the reasons behind them can vary. Physicians need to avoid the 

 that can come with signing a contract they don't understand.

, discusses the risks involved when signing a physician recruitment agreement and what doctors should look out for in their compensation package. Only after a careful 

How compensation structures vary in physician recruitment contracts and the factors that contribute to these variations.

Physician recruitment agreements: •	How do compensation structures vary, and what factors influence these variations?

What are the key elements of a physician recruitment agreement?

Physician recruitment agreements often sound great for the physician, but the agreement may contain unnecessary risks or limitations. These 

Ericka Adler, a health care attorney with Roetzel & Andress, discusses the risks involved when signing a physician recruitment agreement and what doctors should look out for. Only after a careful 

What are the key elements that should be included in a physician recruitment agreement so that both parties are protected?

Physician recruitment agreements: What are the key elements that should be included so that both parties are protected?

What every physician needs to know before agreeing to a physician recruitment agreement.

Physician recruitment agreements: What are the biggest risks of agreeing to one?

Physician recruitment agreements often sound great for the physician, but the agreement may contain language that constrains what the doctor can do and where he or she can practice. These 

What are the biggest risks of agreeing to a physician recruitment agreement?

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