Restrictive covenants are requirements that as a physiatrist working within an entity that you can not practice in a local area for a set number of years after you leave that entity. The language is included in your agreement with the entity. They vary from entity to entity. Restrictive covenants are to protect the entity from you usurping their patients, which you would probably also want to guard against if you were in their shoes.
I’ve heard that they usually don’t hold up in court but that the time and expense to take it to court are usually not worth the bother. Of course, you should ask a lawyer for further information.
Some examples of them follow:
- NC – Can’t practice in the county for 1 year
- FL – 20 mile radius for 2 years. For another FL practice –same county for 1 year. 25 miles for 2 years
- PA – 25 mile radius for 2 years, county for 1 year
- NJ – 20 mile radius for 2 years
- National company – 10 mile radius for 1 year