06th Mar 2008
How do you “attribute” patients to an associate?
Let’s say you’re looking at an associate (employment) contract, and it states that your commission percentage is based on collections “attributable” to you. What does that mean?
To me, it means that every patient you see, the ones you chart and adjust and shake hands with at the end of the visit, belong to you. If not, what are you getting paid for?
Here’s an example: You bring in three new patients one day. The fees for those patients are $150 each, so you get $450 for the new patients. The other doctor had to leave early to pick up a sick child, and you were asked to see one of his new patients. If you don’t get the fee for seeing his new patient, you just lost your percentage of $150, and in addition, you lost the time because you couldn’t see one of your own patients during that time.
Now, what about the other doctor seeing your patients? Who gets credit for them? If you get credit, then you and the other doctor are granting “professional courtesy” to each other. If he gets credit for seeing your patient, then the same should work for you.
I hope this makes sense. Either you get credit for every patient you see or you and the other doctor agree that you are granting each other a certain number of instances of professional courtesy. It has to be the same for both of you.
If the contract doesn’t make sense, don’t sign it until the doctor clarifies IN WRITING. Remember, what the doctor says has no legal weight. Only what is in writing matters.
Disclaimer: I’m not an attorney or a CPA. I’m providing general information, not legal or financial advice. Consult with your attorney or CPA on all contracts.
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