Working For an MSO? Steps Every Clinician Should Take

There’s no doubt that private-equity firms and management service organizations (MSOs) can offer benefits and perks that are hard to find anywhere else. From a solid support staff and administrative management services to more autonomy, greater flexibility, and even better office space, many clinicians and healthcare professionals are drawn to the private side of medicine for an abundance of reasons.

But that private backing can create a real conflict of interest—especially when it’s the money (not the medicine) that appears to be driving patient care. As a result, you may find yourself in situations where the medical board believes the “business side of things” may have interfered with your professional judgment.

And that can put your license and your livelihood at risk.

Having an experienced license defense team can help you face this type of inquiry and protect your clinical license. The LLF National Law Firm has been working with nurses, doctors, and other clinicians from all types of practices, and we’re ready to help you defend your professional standing. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or use our convenient online form to discuss your case and schedule a consultation.

The Dangers of Corporations Practicing Medicine

While MSOs and other business entities don’t provide clinical care directly, they do maintain a great deal of influence over operations, and that’s where things can get tricky. These corporations can handle a wide range of functions, from billing and staffing management to insurance network agreements, workflow processes, patient privacy, and file maintenance.

All of these functions can have an impact on the care of your patients, and as the medical professional in this equation, you’ll be the one to answer to the licensing board.

And just to be clear, “following company procedure” isn’t going to cut it.

The thing to remember is that while your relationship with an MSO was designed to address two very distinct aspects of your practice, the reality is that the lines between them often blur. Shareholders are in the business to make money, and that can create pressures for increased revenue and cost-cutting measures that affect your patients’ care. Areas of risk could also include working with support staff that are not properly trained, unqualified personnel making key decisions, and operating protocols and procedures that don’t put the patient’s needs first.

In all of these instances, the MSO will likely expect you to comply—this is, after all, the whole focus of what they do—but it’s your license on the line and you’ll be the one to answer for any allegations that result. In fact, states have begun to crack down on the corporate practice of medicine (CPOM), in the hopes of regaining control over what many see as a runaway train. This is especially true in situations where clinicians may have limited authority but full accountability. In these instances, you may not even realize a problem exists until you receive a notice from your board.

And the possible risks are many, ranging from accusations of negligence and unprofessional conduct to improper supervision, fraud, HIPAA violations, and failure to maintain standards of care.

So, what can you do?

You can start by taking a good look at your contract. Understand how the partnership with your MSO is designed and pay close attention to who has control over the different aspects of your practice. Do the same thing with all of your office procedures, company protocols, and billing practices.

Do things operate the way they should? Is there something that should work differently?

Just remember that the MSO can be a great asset for your practice, but it can’t protect your license as a medical professional.

That’s up to you.

If you need assistance defending your license against an existing accusation or if you’d like to discuss a potential risk that has you concerned, we’re here to help. The LLF National Law Firm has the experience and knowledge to navigate the disciplinary process and help you achieve the best possible outcome. Our Professional License Defense team works with medical professionals across the country, and we can help you present your best case. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or use our online form to schedule a consultation.