A new law to do away with doctor noncompete agreements in Florida

A recent report published by the Florida Department of Health shows that the state is facing a shortage. Health care analysts note that the existence of noncompete agreements that doctors are forced to sign may be to blame for the shortage. Many physicians who sign on to work for larger health care companies are asked to sign these as a condition of an offer of employment.

Employers in the medical field often force their doctors into signing these agreements as a way to secure their share in the marketplace. They do so in an effort to keep their highly-trained doctors from leaving them for another practice.

Healthcare analysts have noted that having doctors sign noncompete agreements creates a monopoly among providers. They note that it limits consumer choices too.

The report titled “Reforming America’s Healthcare System Through Choice and Competition” was recently published by the Trump administration. In it, Trump argues that states could greatly reduce residents’ medical costs by limiting the use of restrictive covenants like noncompete agreements.

A Republican Florida House of Representatives member recently proposed House Bill (HB) 843. It aims to address both the noncompete and doctor shortage issues that the state faces. If passed, this bill would put an end to doctors having to sign noncompete agreements. It would also give patients more health care options as it would do away with health care monopolies in the state. It could help with the doctor shortage too.

So far HB 843 has received unanimous support from lawmakers representing both parties in both the house and senate. The bill has now been placed on the desk of Governor Ron DeSantis. He is expected to sign off on it in the upcoming weeks.

Not all noncompete agreements are enforceable. In fact, if a judge deems them to be too overly restrictive, then they may agree to throw it out. If it prohibits you from working within an entire region as opposed to a certain city or for an extended period longer than a year or two, then it may be too restrictive.

A breach of contract attorney can read over your contract and advise you as to whether they believe that it would be held up by a Melbourne judge in a court of law.