Signing a physician employment agreement is one of the most important career decisions you’ll make. These contracts often include provisions covering compensation, benefits, malpractice coverage, scheduling expectations, restrictive covenants and termination rights. A physician contract review checklist helps ensure you evaluate each section systematically before signing.

Whether you’re accepting your first position after residency or fellowship or changing employers later in your career, a structured review process can help identify potential concerns and negotiate with confidence.

For additional guidance, explore our resources on physician contract review, physician contracts and your physician job search.

Why use a physician contract review checklist?

A physician contract review checklist helps physicians evaluate employment agreements consistently and avoid overlooking important details.

Common contract mistakes physicians make

Many physicians focus heavily on salary while paying less attention to restrictive covenants, malpractice obligations, productivity requirements or termination provisions. Small contract details can have significant long-term consequences.

Benefits of a structured review process

A structured review process helps physicians compare opportunities objectively, identify areas for negotiation and reduce the likelihood of missing critical provisions.

Why compensation is only one piece of the agreement

Salary matters, but benefits, scheduling expectations, malpractice coverage, termination rights and restrictive covenants can have an equally significant impact on your career and quality of life.

Compensation checklist

Compensation should be clearly defined and easy to understand.

Base salary

Review the guaranteed compensation amount, any salary guarantee period and the circumstances under which compensation may change. Vague language should be clarified before signing.

Productivity bonuses

Understand how bonuses are earned, measured and paid. Bonus calculations should be transparent and objective.

RVU formulas

If compensation includes RVU incentives, review productivity targets, conversion factors and reporting methods. Comparing expectations to common physician compensation models can provide useful context.

Signing bonus terms

Signing bonuses often include repayment obligations. Make sure you understand when repayment is required and how the amount is calculated.

Relocation assistance

Review covered expenses, reimbursement limits and any repayment requirements tied to relocation benefits.

Loan repayment assistance

Understand payment schedules, service commitments and eligibility requirements associated with loan repayment programs.

Compensation review schedule

Determine how often compensation is reviewed and what factors may influence future adjustments.

Ask yourself whether compensation is clearly defined, bonus calculations are explained, productivity expectations are realistic and repayment language is clearly stated.

Benefits checklist

Benefits can significantly affect the overall value of a physician employment contract.

Health insurance

Review available coverage options, employer contributions and family coverage details.

Retirement plans

Understand employer matching contributions, vesting schedules and retirement plan options.

CME allowances

Confirm available CME funding and educational leave to ensure it supports your professional development needs.

PTO and vacation

Review vacation time, sick leave and holiday policies to determine whether they are competitive and realistic.

Licensing reimbursement

Verify whether licensing fees, DEA registration and board certification expenses are covered.

Professional dues

Determine whether the employer reimburses specialty society memberships and professional organization dues.

Schedule and work expectations checklist

Clearly defined work expectations are essential to evaluating any opportunity.

Clinical hours

Review expected patient care hours, clinic schedules and workload expectations.

Call coverage

Understand call frequency, backup coverage and any compensation associated with call responsibilities.

Weekend responsibilities

Clarify weekend and holiday coverage requirements before accepting the position.

Administrative duties

Review expectations related to documentation, meetings, committees and leadership activities.

Productivity expectations

Evaluate whether productivity goals appear realistic and achievable within your specialty.

Ask yourself whether work hours, call requirements and productivity expectations are clearly defined.

Noncompete and restrictive covenant checklist

Restrictive covenants can affect future career opportunities long after employment ends.

Geographic restrictions

Review the geographic radius and determine whether it could limit future employment options.

Duration restrictions

Understand how long any restrictions remain in effect after employment ends.

Specialty limitations

Determine whether restrictions apply only to your specialty or to broader practice activities.

Patient solicitation provisions

Review limitations involving former patients, colleagues and referral relationships.

Before signing, consider whether the restrictions are reasonable and whether they could affect future career plans.

For additional guidance, review physician noncompete agreements.

Malpractice and insurance checklist

Malpractice coverage deserves careful review because it can create significant financial obligations.

Claims-made coverage

Claims-made policies generally require coverage to remain active when a claim is reported.

Occurrence coverage

Occurrence policies generally provide coverage for incidents occurring during the policy period regardless of when claims are filed.

Tail insurance obligations

Physician malpractice tail coverage can be expensive. Verify who is responsible for purchasing tail coverage if employment ends.

Employer versus physician responsibilities

The agreement should clearly identify responsibility for premiums, policy administration and coverage limits.

For additional information, visit our resource on physician malpractice insurance.

Termination clause checklist

Every physician should understand how the employment relationship may end.

Without-cause termination

Review notice requirements and ensure termination rights are reasonably balanced.

For-cause termination

Understand what circumstances may result in immediate termination.

Notice requirements

Evaluate whether notice periods are practical and consistent with industry standards.

Contract buyout provisions

Review any financial obligations associated with ending the agreement.

Post-employment obligations

Identify any continuing obligations that survive termination, including restrictive covenants and confidentiality requirements.

Red flag checklist

Certain provisions frequently create problems for physicians.

Vague compensation language

Compensation formulas should be specific and clearly defined.

Broad noncompete clauses

Overly restrictive covenants may significantly limit future employment opportunities.

Missing malpractice details

Coverage type, policy limits and tail coverage obligations should be clearly identified.

Undefined productivity metrics

Performance expectations should be objective and measurable.

One-sided termination provisions

Termination rights should be balanced between employer and physician.

Excessive call requirements

Call obligations should align with specialty norms and compensation levels.

When should a physician hire a contract attorney?

Situations that warrant professional review

Professional review may be beneficial when signing a first employment agreement, evaluating partnership opportunities or negotiating complex compensation structures.

What attorneys typically evaluate

A physician contract attorney commonly reviews compensation terms, restrictive covenants, malpractice provisions, termination clauses and negotiation opportunities.

Cost versus long-term value

The cost of professional review is often small compared to the potential impact of an unfavorable contract provision.

Questions to ask before hiring an attorney

Look for an attorney with experience reviewing physician employment agreements and healthcare contracts.

A physician contract review checklist provides a practical framework for evaluating employment agreements before signing. By reviewing compensation, benefits, scheduling expectations, restrictive covenants, malpractice obligations and termination provisions systematically, physicians can make informed decisions and avoid costly surprises.

While compensation is important, it is rarely the only provision that matters. Restrictive clauses, malpractice obligations, productivity expectations and termination rights can all have lasting career implications.

Before signing your next employment agreement, complete a full contract review and ensure every major provision aligns with your professional goals. Find out more about contracts and compensations in the PracticeLink Resource Center.

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