I recently listened to the PA the FI Way’s podcast episode “What You Need to Know About Noncompete Agreements.”
The episode is a good, quick listen (approximately 15 minutes). If you haven’t checked it out, PA the FI Way is a great resource providing tips and advice for APPs seeking personal financial independence.
I have always considered noncompetes restrictive and harmful for clinicians, but the podcast makes excellent arguments about why noncompetes are bad for patients and our healthcare system.
Why are noncompetes bad for patients?
- Noncompetes hinder patients’ choices about their healthcare by preventing them from following the clinician of their choice.
- Noncompetes limit a patient’s access to healthcare, especially in rural settings.
- A clinician’s professional growth may be restricted if they want to attain skills not offered in their current medical practice.
- Noncompetes reduce market competition in local areas, thus increasing overall healthcare costs.
- A patient’s continuity of care can be disrupted if their clinician is forced to leave a specific geographic area.
- Recruitment of clinicians can suffer if organizations require new providers to sign noncompetes.
- Noncompetes prioritize the business of healthcare over the healthcare needs of a patient population.
Does your employment contract contain a noncompete clause, or did you successfully remove it from the document?
If you weren’t able to remove it, were you able to negotiate its terms?
Please share your experience!
Nikki Rataj Casady, DMSc, PA-C
Check out PA the FI Way at pathefiway.com
