This week, ACEP hosted a town hall discussion for emergency physicians impacted by the financial turbulence at NES Health, a physician staffing firm with a presence in 35 emergency departments.
The town hall directly connected emergency physicians from across the country with the ACEP Board of Directors as legal and insurance experts shared strategies to navigate the disruption.
“We understand and share your frustration. We are taking action every day to make the work environment better for emergency physicians, regardless of who their employer is. This is not an acceptable situation. We want to be your advocates; to be a convener and bring people together to defend you and the hard work you do taking care of patients.”Alison Haddock, MD, FACEP, president of ACEP
The town hall featured a discussion of legal principles, contract considerations and insurance policy details to help emergency physicians address concerns and identify potential actions to stay protected when an employer fails to uphold their obligations. The general information conveyed during the town hall is not intended to serve as legal advice for specific individual circumstances.
To start, it is crucial for every physician to understand the terms they are obligated to meet and what they should expect from their employer, ACEP experts said. On top of contract issues, physicians may have questions about what happens to their insurance.
ACEP’s medical malpractice insurance partner shared that unfortunately, the legwork necessary to find out about important changes to insurance offerings often falls on the physicians and offered to speak to anyone with questions.
ACEP member resources can be vital during these uncertain times. Efforts include the crowdsourcing of transition information, discounts on contract review services, access to insurance, assistance with forming an independent group, and much more.
Impacted physicians who are not currently ACEP members can take advantage of ACEP’s hardship program to join for free by emailing membership@acep.org.
ACEP’s EngagED forum is established for open discussion and peer to peer connection as everyone manages through these challenges.
Nobody should face uncharted waters alone. There are ongoing discussions about additional actions to help everyone whose lives and careers are disrupted by these circumstances.
ACEP has the reach and resources to help, and we will continue to be an indispensable ally for every emergency physician through difficult times.
Related:
- Be informed about what you should know if you’re transitioning a contract. (ACEP Members only)
- If you're looking for a new position, our vetted job board offers opportunities all around the country. And to learn more about the employer that you are considering, visit Open Book.
- If you’re considering a new job offer, our checklist will help you ask the right questions to negotiate the best employment contract.
- If you’re not a member but are impacted by this situation, you can join for free by emailing membership@acep.org.
If you want guidance on how to best approach the media, you can contact pr@acep.org.
