Health care

A physician contract review is a clause-by-clause read of your employment or independent contractor agreement before you sign, so you know what you are agreeing to and what is worth negotiating. Agreements differ, but we typically look closely at:

• Compensation, and how productivity or bonus pay is calculated
• Duties, call schedule and practice locations
• Term, termination and notice, including termination without cause
• Restrictive covenants such as non-compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality clauses
• Malpractice coverage, including who pays for tail coverage when you leave
• What happens if the practice is sold or merged

We explain each point in plain English and tell you which terms are standard, which are unusual, and which are worth raising with the employer.

Negotiation usually works best when it happens early and stays specific: before you sign, and focused on a short list of the terms that matter most to you. Employers often expect some discussion, particularly on start dates, termination notice, restrictive covenants and how compensation is measured. We can advise you in the background or communicate with the employer for you, whichever you prefer. If you are on the practice side, we also draft and update provider agreements. See our contract practice.

Physician non-competes in Tennessee are generally enforceable only if they are reasonable, and health care providers are subject to rules that do not apply to most other employees. Tennessee has a statute that specifically addresses restrictive covenants for certain health care providers, and the state's 2026 non-compete law (HB 1034) changed the rules for many agreements signed on or after July 1, 2026. How those rules apply to you depends on your profession, your pay and when you signed. For the broader picture, see our Tennessee non-compete practice and our article on what it can cost to fight a non-compete. If a dispute has already started, we also handle restrictive covenant enforcement and litigation.