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Concurrent Call Coverage: Key Considerations for a Compliant Structure

Summary of article from VMG Health, by Holden Godat, CVA, Taylor Harville, Trent Fritzsche:

Concurrent call coverage, where a physician provides on-call services to multiple locations or specialties simultaneously, is increasingly being adopted due to a significant shortage of physicians and the growing demand for healthcare services. This approach aims to distribute work evenly and assure sufficient patient care. However, it brings about challenges in setting fair market value physician compensation, which needs to consider factors such as the burden of call, required specialty, physician availability, and sources of compensation. Each of these factors requires careful consideration to avoid overpayment and ensure regulatory compliance. Given the complexity and increased regulatory scrutiny, it is recommended to obtain third-party fair market value guidance for structuring compliant concurrent call coverage arrangements.