Review Your Contract - Questions to Ask

Future Equity

Non-compete

Compensation

Benefits

Malpractice

Job Duties

Term and Termination

Any question with a "no" response should be discussed with your attorney or in negotiations. Members can download a full checklist of yes-or-no questions to ask during contract review for free.

Questions to ask during employment contract review

Is the employer required to provide written notice of the cause for termination and give you an opportunity to fix the issue, if possible, before termination occurs?

Do both parties have the right to terminate the contract for cause?

Are all clinical, supervisory, administrative, academic, leadership, and research responsibilities that you have agreed to or declined clearly stated?

Do the aspects of family medicine you will be able to practice align with your expectations and allow you to perform the services you want to include in your practice?

Is an explanation of how your duties could change in the future provided?

Will the employer share the cost of the tail policy after your contract ends?

If tail coverage is required, is it clear who will obtain and pay for the tail policy?

Are all additional benefits and perks provided by the employer, including any verbal promises the employer has made, reflected in the written contract?

If you will be paid based on productivity, is it clear how taking PTO will affect your income?

Are any insurance waiting periods (e.g., need for COBRA) clearly stated?

Are bonus amounts free of any repayment obligations? If not, are your potential repayment obligations clearly stated?

If your base salary amount is only guaranteed for a certain period, is it the longest period possible?

Is the type of compensation model clearly defined? Common compensation models include the following: salary only; base salary plus a bonus based on productivity, quality, or value; or a productivity compensation formula tied to collections or relative value units (RVUs).

Is permission to use social media and general advertisements to promote your new practice carved out?

Are you free to provide care to patients from the employer’s practice if you have not solicited these patients to your new practice?

Are you released from tail coverage and repayment obligations and non-compete provisions if equity is not offered on the expected date?

Is it clear what will happen to your employment if equity is not offered on the expected date?

Are you released from tail coverage and repayment obligations and non-compete provisions if equity is not offered on the expected date?

Is it clear what will happen to your employment if equity is not offered on the expected date?

Future Equity

Is permission to use social media and general advertisements to promote your new practice carved out?

Are you free to provide care to patients from the employer’s practice if you have not solicited these patients to your new practice?

Non-compete

Are bonus amounts free of any repayment obligations? If not, are your potential repayment obligations clearly stated?

If your base salary amount is only guaranteed for a certain period, is it the longest period possible?

Compensation

Are all additional benefits and perks provided by the employer, including any verbal promises the employer has made, reflected in the written contract?

Are any insurance waiting periods (e.g., need for COBRA) clearly stated?

If you will be paid based on productivity, is it clear how taking PTO will affect your income?

Benefits

Will the employer share the cost of the tail policy after your contract ends?

If tail coverage is required, is it clear who will obtain and pay for the tail policy?

Malpractice

Is an explanation of how your duties could change in the future provided?

Are all clinical, supervisory, administrative, academic, leadership, and research responsibilities that you have agreed to or declined clearly stated?

Do the aspects of family medicine you will be able to practice align with your expectations and allow you to perform the services you want to include in your practice?

Job Duties

Is the employer required to provide written notice of the cause for termination and give you an opportunity to fix the issue, if possible, before termination occurs?

Do both parties have the right to terminate the contract for cause?

Term and Termination

Any question with a "no" response should be discussed with your attorney or in negotiations. Members can download a full checklist of yes-or-no questions to ask during contract review for free.

Questions to ask during employment contract review

Are you released from tail coverage and repayment obligations and non-compete provisions if equity is not offered on the expected date?

Is it clear what will happen to your employment if equity is not offered on the expected date?

Future Equity

Is permission to use social media and general advertisements to promote your new practice carved out?

Are you free to provide care to patients from the employer’s practice if you have not solicited these patients to your new practice?

Non-compete

Are bonus amounts free of any repayment obligations? If not, are your potential repayment obligations clearly stated?

If your base salary amount is only guaranteed for a certain period, is it the longest period possible?

Compensation

Are all additional benefits and perks provided by the employer, including any verbal promises the employer has made, reflected in the written contract?

Are any insurance waiting periods (e.g., need for COBRA) clearly stated?

If you will be paid based on productivity, is it clear how taking PTO will affect your income?

Benefits

Will the employer share the cost of the tail policy after your contract ends?

If tail coverage is required, is it clear who will obtain and pay for the tail policy?

Malpractice

Is an explanation of how your duties could change in the future provided?

Are all clinical, supervisory, administrative, academic, leadership, and research responsibilities that you have agreed to or declined clearly stated?

Do the aspects of family medicine you will be able to practice align with your expectations and allow you to perform the services you want to include in your practice?

Job Duties

Is the employer required to provide written notice of the cause for termination and give you an opportunity to fix the issue, if possible, before termination occurs?

Do both parties have the right to terminate the contract for cause?

Term and Termination

Any question with a "no" response should be discussed with your attorney or in negotiations. Members can download a full checklist of yes-or-no questions to ask during contract review for free.