Physician Contract BC
A LEGAL BUSINESS IS A HEALTHY BUSINESS
BC medical doctors have a variety of opportunities and benefits, including choice of work environment, a strong support network, and high compensation. There are many decisions a physician needs to make throughout their career, including what type of work arrangement they will seek. Some physicians wish to run their own practice as a corporation, while others seek stable income and great benefits as an employee of an existing practice. Regardless of your career choices, one thing remains constant: there will always be contracts that require your signature. These contracts provide essential legal protections you can rely on for peace of mind while providing clarity in your day-to-day operations. At Parr Business Law, our trusted legal advisors can create the reliable agreements needed to minimize risk and ensure you reach all your career goals.
New-To-Practice Family Physicians
If you do not have a patient panel and seek to join an existing practice to build a panel of patients, you can sign an hours based contracts as an individual family physician. This contract is available for all physicians who meet the following criteria:
The physician is prepared to provide community longitudinal family practice services
The physician does not have an established patient panel
The physician is prepared to join a full-service group clinic
The physician is prepared to commit to a minimum of 0.5 Full Time Equivalent (FTE)
The annual salary for this contract is $312,231. There are conditional bonuses and incentives available if the physician meets certain eligibility requirements. If all requirements are met, physicians may receive a $23,158 annual bonus, $25,000 signing bonus, $50,000 loan forgiveness payment, an annual loan forgiveness contribution of $20,000 for two to five years, along with an overhead contribution of $75,000 per year from the BC Ministry of Health to the clinic that the physician is
Joining. Note that all the foregoing figures are subject to change.
Under this contract, full time physicians are required to perform a minimum of 1680 hours of service and a maximum of 2100. The minimum hours required of a part time physician is 840 per year.
Physicians under this contract are entitled to charge fee-for-service separately for services performed outside the scope of the contract. This includes services performed outside of the clinic, services provided to third parties, or specialized services provided to referred patients who are not attached to the practice.
The contract for incentive eligible physicians is lengthy and detailed. You may complete this contract on your own; however, the process can be complicated and time-consuming. We recommend that you work with a trusted, experienced lawyer who can help you navigate your contract.
Incorporation
There may come a time in your career when you decide start your own practice. Incorporating your practice can help you to defer and reduce personal income taxes, making it easier to reach your long-term financial goals like paying off medical school debt and purchasing a home. Incorporating your medical practice also gives you better access to financing and credit options.
Incorporation requires liaison with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia, preparation of incorporation documents and application to the BC Registrar of Companies. Parr Business Law can assist you with every step of the process, giving you a strong legal foundation so you can focus on the day-to-day aspects of growing your business. Find more information on incorporation for doctors here.
FAQs
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Absolutely; we have a team of experienced lawyers that can review your employment agreement to ensure each party knows exactly what to expect from one another and how to avoid misunderstandings over the course of your working relationship. Your employment agreement will be the backbone you’ll depend on when it comes to compensation, contract updates, conflict resolution, and how to proceed if you are terminated or voluntarily leave.
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The Physician Master Agreement is the document that governs compensation and benefits for Fee for Service and Alternatively Paid Physicians in BC. It covers the relationship and economic arrangements between the Government of British Columbia and the Doctors of BC.
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Hiring a lawyer ensures that your contracts are professionally drafted, legally enforceable, and tailored to your specific needs. At Parr Business Law, we advise clients on how to protect their interests, build lasting business relationships, and ensure smooth operations through strong legal agreements.
Need Help Creating With Your Physician Contract?
When it’s time to take your career to the next level, Parr Business Law can help. Our lawyers have the specialized knowledge to provide you with reliable and candid legal advice to give you the peace of mind you need to focus on your career. Schedule a consultation call with us today to learn more.