Published on:
Are Physicians, Doctors, Dentists, Psychiatrists or Therapists Independent Contractors or Employees in a Private Practice?
Misclassification of workers in the healthcare field is a hot issue and it is an area where many practices make a misstep leading to potential exposure involving the Department of Labor (DOL). Many practices treat physicians, doctors, dentists, therapists or similar professionals as independent contractors instead of as employees. The New York State DOL can investigate your practice’s workforce classifications. Depending on the circumstances this can raise some legal concerns. The New York Court of Appeals decision, In Re Concourse Ophthalmology Associates P.C., 469 N.Y.S.2d 78 (1983) discusses the proper employment status for multiple ophthalmologists working in a professional corporation. The court issued the following test for medical providers in determining whether an employee-employer relationship exists for purposes of the Unemployment Insurance Law:
Continue reading →