Physician Practice Group

Philosophy

The firm has historically represented entrepreneurial businesses and has a flourishing health care related practice. Physicians, whether as individual practitioners or in group practices, fit well within the firm culture. Such businesses are not lost amidst mega clients, nor shuttled to junior associates. Rather, our experienced attorneys actively participate and offer our clients the combination of business and legal knowledge and judgment that only an experienced attorney can offer.

Objective

Provide cost-effective legal representation to physicians and physician groups.

Entity Expertise

Formation, organization, maintenance and governance of medical groups

Partnership and shareholder issues

IPAs, IDTF's, ASC's, imaging and other syndications

Physician practice management organizations

Structure, buy-in, exit strategies and options regarding Private Placement memoranda

Tax expertise at individual and entity level, including planning and representing physicians with IRS, FTB and local agencies

Regulatory Expertise

Self-referral (Stark I and II), illegal remuneration (Anti-Kickback Statute), false claims, fee splitting, corporate practice of medicine

Licensure and scope of practice

Payment, billing, coding and stop loss issues under Medicare, MediCal and private payer arrangements

Medical staff issues, including credential and disciplinary actions

Legal compliance programs

Audits

Employment Law/Discrimination

Physician and other licensed professional employment contacts, incentive and bonus structuring contracts with hospitals, HMOs and IPAs.

Development of group compensation alternatives

Employment contracts, non-compete covenants

Office staff matters, including handbooks, policies and procedures, and controversies

Contracting Expertise

HMO and payor contracting, risk pool structuring and other shared risk arrangements

Key employment agreements for non-medical employees

Consulting and independent contractor arrangements, contract formation and disputes

QA/UR arrangements

MOB leasing, subleasing and development

Purchase and sale of practices or medically related businesses

Equipment and real estate leasing and financing

Litigation Support

Payor arbitration and litigation regarding collection, coverage and other payer contract disputes

Employment related claims

Supplier/Provider issues

Bankruptcy claims against insolvent payers and risk-bearing medical groups and strategies for unwinding from insolvent groups or practice management companies

Insurance coverage (excludes malpractice)

Indemnity/Hold harmless issues

Contract and non-compete litigation

Tax planning

Choice of entity

Income tax planning

Estate planning

Tax planning investments unrelated to practice

ECJ's approach to legal fees

We are willing to invest in our relationship with you:

Hourly rates/average billing rates

Fixed price

Advance pay discounts

"Product pricing"

General counsel retainer

Flat rate for all members of group

Success fee

Full and partial contingency arrangements

Not to exceed amounts

Contacts

John A. Meyers, Co-Chair of ECJ's Health Care Department, at 310.281.6373 or jmeyers@ecjlaw.com.

Gary Q. Michel, Co-Chair of ECJ's Health Care Department, at 310.281.6326 or gmichel@ecjlaw.com.

Randall S. Leff, Partner of ECJ's Health Care Department, at 310.273.6333 or rleff@ecjlaw.com