Leslie Kane: Hi. I am Leslie Kane, Executive Editor of Medscape Business of Medicine. Getting a new job is exciting for most doctors, but even though you are looking forward to the opportunity, it is still important to be wary of what might be in the physician employment contract. There may be some elements that, if you overlook them, could rear up and cause problems for you down the road. To talk with us about hidden dangers in the physician employment contract is Reed Tinsley, a certified public accountant and certified healthcare business consultant from Houston, Texas. Welcome. Thank you for talking with us today.
Reed Tinsley, CPA: Thanks for having me.
Ms. Kane: How common is it for doctors to get a job and sign a contract, think that everything is fine, and then get zapped by something that is in the contract that they were unaware of?
Mr. Tinsley:It is very common. I think one of the biggest hidden dangers in any employment situation is whether that employer really needs you. What I find with new physicians is that that part is lacking due diligence, just because someone says, "I need you here. We're very busy." Many times, physicians show up at offices and twiddle their thumbs for a year. That hidden danger appears when that doctor, after a year, wonders what is going to happen to his compensation. Is it going to go down if it is based on productivity? Is he still even going to be around? The employer may say, "Sorry, we made a bad decision" and the doctor gets thrown on the street.
