SayItSo

Been interviewing more orthos for our group. Very interesting to listen to young surgeons say that they perceive working as a hospital employee is less risky than joining a private practice. The brainwashing in our training programs has worked well to create this mindset. From seeing both sides of this I will tell you, the risks are far greater IMO being hosp employed. 1. Often don’t market u, but a service line so when your 1 or 2 yr guarantee is up and u move to production good luck 2. Often can’t market yourself as u know “Compliance” they’ll tell u. Code for we don’t want u to build a brand so we can simply replace u with another 3. If u do build a successful practice w/n system they often will recruit a competitor into your same service area or group w/o your permission as cant have u getting to big where u are hard to control 4. They can simply fire you if they want. Sure u may think your agreement protects u but, r u really going to financially be able to take on a system in a lawsuit? Do u want to? 5. After your initial contract term expires be prepared for them to adjust down your RVU multiplier or lower your payment model. 6. No access to ancillary money. You make the system all the money: Surgery, Labs, imaging, PT, DME, anesthesia, midlevels, etc. This sounds much riskier to me and also often you lose your autonomy to used what implants,medicines u want and to practice as u wish.