Make sure that your unused vacation days will be paid out to you if you leave the practice voluntarily. Groups usually pay liability insurance, but the policy may not cover you once you leave. Be clear on the term of this insurance and find out who is expected to pay for a tail policy, which protects you from lawsuits if a patient sues you months or even years after an incident, if you part company. Talk it out. Don't be afraid to talk to potential employers about your concerns.
Experts say that the time to bring up any problems is before the contract is signed.
Make sure the contract answers all of your questions. For example, some physicians groups may not have a set policy on how to become a partner, but it's very important to have that process spelled out in the contract before you join a practice. You also need to make sure that the contract terms comply with state laws, which can vary widely across the country. The ideal situation is when both parties feel like they're getting something when they leave the negotiating table. Otherwise, Dr. Hood said, it's a bad deal for everyone.