Can a part-time physician become a full partner in group practice?

Managing Part-Time Partners: Key Considerations for Fair Compensation

Being a partner - or shareholder - in a medical practice demands full-time involvement. But, as more doctors seek to better balance their lives by working less, practices will face more part-time physician situations. Reducing part-timers to "employees" best serves the ongoing practice in most cases.

If you decide to accept a part-time partner, remember these three key points:

1. Production-based pay makes sense because it fairly compensates doctors with significantly different workloads.

2. Likewise, allocating as much overhead costs as possible directly to each physician works because it costs fairly. The more you pool expenses and split the cost, the more the group subsidizes the part-time partner.

3. A full-voting partner should pay a full share of the group's fixed costs.

If you're considering the implications of part-time partners on your medical practice or need guidance on optimizing your practice management, Reed Tinsley, CPA is here to help.

About the Author

Reed Tinsley CPA

This article is written by Reed Tinsley, a Houston, TX-based CPA with over 30 years of experience advising physicians and medical practices across Texas and the United States. Reed holds certifications as a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), Certified Healthcare Business Consultant (CHBC), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP), specializing exclusively in the healthcare sector. He is a published author, nationally recognized speaker, and trusted advisor to physicians on accounting & tax, practice management, and financial planning. Schedule a Free Consultation.