Managed care contracts. A primer on how to analyze contracts and avoid the traps: Part 2

Because many business entities are attempting to increase their control over medical practice, physicians must take extreme care in reading proposed amendments to managed care contracts. Beware of vague language concerning utilization review; contracts that require you to passively accept future contract modifications; innocuous language that may endow the medical director with excessive authority; and unacceptable regulations concerning medical, financial, and administrative records. The author suggests counterproposals that are fair to both business entities and participating physicians. He further recommends maintaining an ongoing discussion between both parties in order to further chances for success.