Compensation caps can be confusing and frustrating for the physicians who are subject to them. Instituted as a mechanism to avoid violation of federal laws, compensation caps aim to limit the compensation paid to physicians at a level that is “reasonable” and representative of fair market value (FMV). Why Do They Exist?
Compensation caps are seen most commonly in the case of non-profit hospital employers that are exempt from federal income tax under the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, these hospitals must follow certain rules for how they compensate their employees (i.e. the pay must be “reasonable” for the services rendered), or else they risk losing status as a tax-exempt entity. Anti-kickback and Stark laws are additional causes for compensation caps, as they restrict compensation that may be construed as improper remuneration in exchange for patient referrals. Therefore, employers are very motivated to ensure that the compensation they pay is considered commercially reasonable, so as to quell any possible implication of improper behavior.
What is a Compensation Cap?
Compensation caps are identified in the applicable employment contract. If a physician is subject to a compensation cap, her employment contract will identify the threshold of the cap, and will dictate the procedures that will take place if and when the physician’s compensation reaches the threshold. A cap may be “hard,” in which case there will be a definite stopgap on payment, or a cap may be “soft,” which means that the employer will initiate a review process in order to determine whether the compensation is reasonable and justified. The threshold at which a cap is set will depend on the physician’s specialty, and also will likely depend on the region of the country in which the physician works. There are various national surveys that track physician compensation (i.e. MGMGA, AMGA), and often the cap will be set at or near the 90th percentile mark for a given specialty and geographic region. For instance, the MGMA data tells us that for Hematology/Oncology in the Midwest, physicians in the 90th percentile earn an annual total compensation of $692,253. Therefore, an employer might set the cap for a comparable physician at this level.
Who is Subject to a Cap?
Theoretically, any employed physician who earns income on a productivity basis is subject to a compensation cap. However, logic tells us that only physicians who are highly productive will run the risk of reaching their cap. Consider, for example, a young physician in a high-earning specialty who does not have children or otherwise has the time and ability to work as much as possible. Think of those physicians who live to work and gear most of their focus toward solely their job. Another likely scenario is a physician who is the only available provider in her specialty in the region and therefore her services are in especially high demand. Of course, there is also the possibility of bad actors whose wrongful behavior results in especially high payment and triggers a cap, such as physicians who “upcode” or use other inappropriate coding/billing practices.
How to Protect Yourself
If an employer includes a compensation cap pursuant to your employment agreement, it is there for a reason and you likely will not be successful in negotiating the cap out of the agreement. However, there are a few things that a physician can do to protect herself and ensure that she receives the compensation she deserves. First, physicians should ensure that they have a clear understanding of what the cap is, and the employer’s protocols surrounding the cap. For instance, is the cap “hard?” Or if it is “soft,” what exactly does the review process consist of? And further, if the review process results in a finding that the compensation was not reasonable, what will happen? Will you be required to pay back a portion of your income? Will you stop working for the remainder of the year?
Second, physicians should have a firm grasp of their earning potential and how much they are earning as the year progresses. Accordingly, it is advisable to document the hours spent working, services provided and the compensation received. This way, you will have abundant evidence to support your argument that the compensation was fair and reasonable in light of how much you worked. In other words, you want there to be a clear and undeniable connect between the work you’re doing and the compensation you receive.
Lastly, if faced with a compensation cap, physicians should ensure that their contract entitles them to notice in the event that the cap and/or compensation review process will be initiated. This way, you will not be blindsided if it comes into effect. You will have the chance to get organized in terms of your documentation, and also to consult with an attorney or FMV consultant.
If you have questions about compensation caps, or other matters regarding your physician employment agreement, contact the attorney-agents of Lauth O’Neill.