Here are four red flags that physicians should be aware of in an employment contract, per the AMA:
1. Overly broad noncompete language: Watch for contracts that have restrictive covenants even if a physician is terminated by an employer. Ensure that restrictive covenants do not apply in instances of termination without cause.
2. Unreasonable expectations: Physician compensation is often based on productivity. Physicians should have a whole picture of what their clinical and nonclinical expectations will be in order to understand how feasible it will be to meet productivity standards.
3. Confusing compensation formula: Physicians should be able to look at a contract and easily understand the payment model. If it is a complex formula, that should raise some red flags.
4. Disproportionate call responsibilities: Ensure that call duty is split evenly among physicians in the same specialty. It is smart to have a contractual limit placed on how much call time is required.
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