Insurance InsIghts Œ Maintain an answering service for at least six months following closure, in order to notify patients who call in about the retirement and direct them to appropriate care providers. Œ If the practice is to be acquired by another physician, negotiate staff retention issues and facilitate job interviews for current employees. Part-time practice implications The prospect of shifting to part-time work appeals to many physicians. However, offers of this type should be carefully examined from a practical, legal and liability standpoint, including consideration of licensure implications. (For a description of the various categories of Oregon licensure, visit http://www.oregon. gov/omb/licensing/Pages/License-Statuses. aspx.) The following questions are designed to help clarify important issues when deciding whether to accept a part-time practice opportunity: Œ Is the new position professionally inappropriate (e.g., proctoring less experienced physicians in a field outside of one’s previous specialty or scope of practice)? Œ Does the position entail a potentially excessive time commitment (e.g., medical director of a large practice or facility)? Œ Does the new clinical role raise patient safety issues (e.g., performing complex or risky procedures despite the possibility of declining proficiency)? Œ Is an active medical license required in order to perform job duties (e.g., ordering tests/therapies, prescribing, dispensing or administering drugs) and receive compensation for clinical services rendered? Œ If an active license medical license is required, have the consequent legal and professional obligations been considered, such as continuing medical education and license renewal fees? Œ Does the change in status have liability insurance implications (e.g., a medical director position requiring directors and officers coverage)? Note that CNA offers a professional liability policy, available at very reasonable cost, for former policyholders who are retired and working without remuneration. As in every aspect of medical practice, retirement or the move to part-time practice should be managed in a professional and conscientious manner. These guidelines can help reduce risk by ensuring that patients and colleagues are not taken by surprise, and that key legal and contractual concerns are addressed. In addition to the recommendations included here, check the OMA Medical- Legal Handbook for information and advice on a wide range of retirementrelated issues. For ordering information, go to http://www.theoma.org/store/2014-2015- medical-legal-handbook. ADDITIONAL READING American Medical Association. “Closing Your Practice: What to Do and When to Do It.” Available at http://www.amednews.com/article/20080218/ business/302189998/5/. Oregon Medical Association, Practice Transitions. Available at http://www.theoma.org/practice-helpcenter/ practice-management/practice-transitions. For additional information on CNA risk management solutions, please contact CNA at (800) 341-3684. w ww.TheOMA.org Spring 2015 25
OMA Spring 2015 Magazine
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