CONNECTICUT - PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE STRUCTURE

State laws and regulations that affect your medical practice

1. Under what business structures are physicians permitted to practice?

Physicians may practice in the following manner:

A. Solo

B. Partnership, Professional Association or Limited Liability Company

A physician may practice in a partnership, professional association or professional limited liability company, but such entity must be composed solely of licensed health care professionals who render the same professional services. A physician who is a member of a limited liability company remains personally responsible for his or her own negligence, wrongful acts, etc., and that of any person under his or her direct supervision and control.

C.G.S.A. § 34-82

C. Associational Relationship with Other Physician or Professional Entity

A physician may be employed within the scope of the physician's licensed practice and in circumstances where the quality control of the employee's professional practice can be and is lawfully supervised and evaluated by the employing physician.

Physicians may form professional corporations with chiropractors, physicians assistants or advanced practice registered nurses.

Opthamologists may form professional corporations with licensed optometrists.

C.G.S.A. § 33-182a

D. Managed Health Care Plans

A physician may participate in organized managed health care plans including, but not limited to, those involving wholly or partially pre-paid medical services. This includes health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations, competitive medical plans, individual practice associations, or other similar designations. A physician may participate in any such plan which complies with the following requirements:

i. The physician retains authority at all times to exercise professional judgment within accepted standards of practice regarding care, skill and diligence in examinations, diagnosis and treatment of each patient.

ii. The physician retains authority at all times to inform the patient of appropriate referrals to any other health care providers - whether or not those persons are provider-members of the plan and whether or not the plan covers the cost of service by such non-member providers to the patient.

C.G.S.A. § 38a-478

2. What requirements must be met for a practitioner to engage in professional practice in Connecticut?

A. A practitioner may engage in professional practice only when in possession of a current biennial registration issued by the Board.

B. Any physician must post, in a conspicuous place, the policy regarding Medicare assignment and inform all eligible persons of such policy prior to the delivery of care and services.

C.G.S.A. § 20-14k