The Chelle Law Physician Resource Library provides clear, practical guidance to help physicians understand the key terms, risks, and obligations found in employment and independent contractor agreements.
Developed by attorney Robert Chelle, these resources explain complex physician contract and compensation issues in straightforward language so physicians can make informed decisions before signing, requesting changes to, renewing, or terminating an agreement.
The library covers RVU and productivity compensation, non-compete clauses, restrictive covenants, malpractice and tail insurance, termination provisions, repayment obligations, call coverage, bonuses, independent contractor arrangements, and other important physician contract terms.
Compensation & Pay Models
Physician compensation can vary significantly depending on specialty, practice setting, productivity expectations, and whether compensation is based on salary, RVUs, collections, or a hybrid model. These resources explain common physician pay structures, benchmark data, bonuses, repayment obligations, and the financial differences between employment arrangements.
Contract Terms & Risk Areas
Physician employment agreements often contain provisions that affect income, mobility, scheduling, and the ability to leave an employer. These resources explain common contract risks, including restrictive covenants, termination provisions, call obligations, moonlighting restrictions, and other terms physicians should understand before signing.
Malpractice, Insurance & Coverage
Malpractice insurance provisions can create significant financial exposure if coverage type, policy limits, or tail responsibility are unclear. These resources explain claims-made and occurrence coverage, tail insurance, policy obligations, and how malpractice terms should be addressed in a physician contract.
Contract Evaluation & Strategy
Evaluating a physician employment agreement requires understanding which terms may warrant clarification or revision and how proposed changes can affect compensation, risk, and long-term career flexibility. These resources provide practical guidance for evaluating offers, prioritizing important contract issues, and requesting appropriate revisions from an employer.
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Attorney Robert Chelle provides physician contract review and negotiation guidance on compensation, non-compete restrictions, malpractice and tail insurance, termination terms, and other provisions that can affect your income and career mobility.
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Physician Contract Resources — Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Most Important Provisions in a Physician Employment Contract?
The most important provisions typically include compensation, productivity requirements, call obligations, malpractice coverage, tail insurance, restrictive covenants, termination rights, repayment obligations, scheduling, benefits, and any language allowing the employer to modify key terms. These provisions can directly affect a physician’s income, workload, financial exposure, and future employment options.
How Can a Physician Tell Whether a Compensation Offer Is Competitive?
A physician should evaluate the entire compensation structure rather than base salary alone. Important factors may include specialty, geographic market, experience, productivity expectations, RVU conversion factors, bonus thresholds, call compensation, signing incentives, benefits, and repayment obligations. Benchmark data can provide context, but the contract language determines how compensation is actually calculated and paid.
What Happens if a Physician Wants to Leave an Employment Contract Early?
The answer depends on the termination provisions in the agreement. Many physician contracts allow without-cause termination after a required notice period, while others may contain repayment obligations, tail insurance responsibilities, bonus clawbacks, restrictive covenants, or other obligations that continue after employment ends. Physicians should review these provisions before giving notice.
Can an Employer Change a Physician’s Compensation After the Contract Is Signed?
Sometimes. The contract may give the employer authority to modify compensation formulas, productivity thresholds, policies, schedules, or other terms. Physicians should pay close attention to language allowing unilateral changes and determine whether amendments require mutual written agreement or can be made at the employer’s discretion.
How Should Physicians Evaluate Call Requirements in an Employment Agreement?
Physicians should review how often call is required, whether call is compensated, how coverage is divided among physicians, whether additional call can be assigned, and whether the employer can change the schedule. The agreement should also clarify expectations involving weekends, holidays, backup call, inpatient coverage, and responsibilities outside normal clinic hours.
What Repayment Obligations Are Commonly Found in Physician Contracts?
Physician agreements may require repayment of signing bonuses, relocation assistance, student loan payments, training expenses, retention bonuses, or other incentives if employment ends before a specified period. Physicians should review the repayment trigger, forgiveness schedule, proration terms, and whether repayment applies regardless of the reason employment ends.
What Is the Difference Between an Employment Agreement and an Independent Contractor Agreement for a Physician?
An employment agreement generally treats the physician as a W-2 employee and may include benefits, payroll withholding, employer-paid expenses, and greater organizational control. Independent contractor agreements typically involve 1099 compensation and may place more responsibility on the physician for taxes, benefits, malpractice insurance, business expenses, and other costs. The contract should clearly define the physician’s financial and professional obligations.
Why Should a Physician Review a Contract Before Accepting the Offer?
Once an agreement is signed, the physician is generally bound by its terms. Reviewing the contract beforehand provides an opportunity to understand compensation, restrictions, termination rights, insurance obligations, repayment provisions, and other potential risks while there is still an opportunity to ask questions or request revisions.