Noncompete Agreements and Their Impact on the Medical Landscape

Physician noncompete agreements have become increasingly common with the rise of employed-physician models and the corporatization of medicine, yet they remain controversial due to their effects on physician mobility and patient access to care. Although the Federal Trade Commission proposed a nationwide ban on most noncompete agreements in April 2024, that rule was blocked by the federal court and was formally abandoned by the agency in 2025. As a result, there currently is no federal prohibition on physician noncompetes, and enforceability depends on state law and the specific terms of employment contracts. This article reviews the historical origins of noncompetes, examines employer and physician perspectives, and highlights the downstream consequences for patient continuity, access, and health care costs.