How to Negotiate Your Physician Contract

Most physicians accept the first offer. Here's exactly what to negotiate, what red flags to walk away from, and how to get a contract that doesn't consume your life.

The negotiation myth physicians believe

"You should be grateful they offered you the job." This is a negotiating tactic, not advice. Physicians who negotiate earn $20,000–$80,000 more in year one. Employers expect negotiation. The first offer is almost never the final offer. If they rescind an offer because you asked questions, that's information about what working for them will be like.

What you can negotiate (all of it)

Red flags: walk away from these

The hidden contract clause most physicians miss

The documentation workload clause — or the absence of one.

Most physician contracts say nothing specific about documentation expectations, after-hours charting time, or inbox management workload. This means you're accepting a blank check on documentation burden. Physicians who don't clarify this upfront often discover that "20 patients per day" actually means 2–3 hours of nightly charting on top of a 10-hour clinic day.

Ask explicitly before signing: What is the average documentation time per patient? Do physicians regularly complete charts same-day? What percentage of physicians use AI scribing tools? Can I use an AI scribe from day one?

If they can't answer these questions, that's your answer.

How to negotiate: the process

Calculate your RVU compensation

Know your numbers before you negotiate. Our free RVU calculator shows total comp, MGMA benchmarks, and effective conversion factor.