Structuring Physician Group Practices: Formation; Compensation; Hospital, Private Equity and Non-Physician Participation

Physician group practice formation and structuring often involve complex business issues that overlap with many legal grey areas that can create significant risk without careful planning and execution.

When structuring group practices, particularly where non-physician participation is involved, counsel to healthcare providers must carefully evaluate the corporate practice of medicine issues, Stark law requirements governing physician compensation, and how practice management arrangements should be organized.

Listen as our authoritative panel of healthcare attorneys explains the key legal considerations when forming physician group practices. The panel will discuss best practices when selecting the appropriate legal entity for the business, structuring practice management arrangements, and establishing compensation models that comply with Stark law.

1. Group formation
   1. Selecting the appropriate legal entity
   2. Tax issues
   3. Benefits issues
2. Corporate practice of medicine and fee-splitting
3. Structuring practice management arrangements
4. Stark law and compensation models—compensation for professional services
   1. Compensation for ancillary services
   2. Use of care centers and practice divisions

The panel will review these and other key issues:

• What are the most critical legal and business concerns for physicians considering forming a physician group practice?
• What considerations should healthcare counsel weigh when selecting the appropriate legal entity for the business?
• What particular concerns arise when there is a hospital, private equity or other non-physician participation in the group structure?