As a mental health professional practice is getting started, there are many contracts involved. It can be overwhelming. Fortunately, a lawyer in East Brunswick, NJ, can help mental health practices through the entire process. At Bowne Barry & Barry, we work with practices to help them understand the legal implications of their contracts. We make sure that each contract they sign or produce is in the best interest of their practice. Don’t try to conquer these contracts alone! Read on to learn about some important contracts that you will come across as you run your practice.
A Lawyer in East Brunswick Can Help With Office Leases
Getting a space for your practice is the first step. It is important to get a lease with a term that makes you comfortable. Don’t be tempted to settle for a longer term just because the landlord offers things like free months of rent. Here are a few things to keep in mind when signing a lease.
· Negotiate with the landlord on term and rates. Your attorney can help with the negotiations.
· Get a cancellation clause written into the lease. This can be used in a worst-case scenario if the location does not work out for your practice.
· Make sure you are totally comfortable with the terms before signing.
Employment Agreements
At Bowne Barry & Barry we have a lot of experience helping professionals write up employment agreements. These are the contracts that your future employees will sign. These contracts should include terms such as compensation, benefits, vacation, termination, and performance reviews. It is very important to spell out everything clearly in the employee contracts so that there is no confusion later on, should an issue arise.
Independent Contractor Agreements
An independent contractor is different from an employee in that the practice is not responsible for withholding taxes from them. These independent contractors should receive a W-9 form. The independent contractor agreement will define items such as payment, expenses, liability insurance, and termination.
Confidentiality Agreements
Every person who works at the practice should sign a confidentiality agreement. This document lists all the ways employees and independent contractors must practice confidentiality in the mental healthcare setting. This includes terms such as not disclosing patient information and not texting private healthcare information. HIPAA laws protect patients in the healthcare setting. It is crucial that everyone at the office abides by this confidentiality agreement. Medical practitioners who violate HIPAA laws face steep fines and jail time. According to HIPAA Journal, those who violate HIPAA confidentiality laws can face multi-million dollar fines.
Non-Compete Agreements
In the medical world, a non-compete agreement ensures practitioners don’t leave and work for a competitor, potentially sharing crucial practice information. The non-compete agreement will state that practitioners cannot work at facilities within a certain radius for a certain period of time. Include this agreement with the employment and independent contractor agreements.
Finding The Right Lawyer in East Brunswick, NJ
As you can see, there are so many contracts for mental healthcare practices to keep up with. Find a lawyer in East Brunswick, NJ, to help you with the legal side of things while you make your office a safe space for patients. We are here to aid by drafting, reviewing, or negotiating contracts. For more information about the services we provide, contact us today.
