Employment Questions - Ochsner Physician Scholars Program

Internal Medicine Primary Care, Internal Medicine Pediatrics Primary Care (dual certification), Family Medicine.

What if I decide not to enter employment with Ochsner Health after completing qualified residency?

• The Ochsner Physician Scholars program requires you to execute the Ochsner Physician Scholars Retention Agreement which serves as a contractual agreement between the Scholar and Ochsner Health. If the Scholar does not honor their obligation, then the Scholar is required to repay the amount awarded in accordance with the Ochsner Physician Scholars Retention Agreement.

• If you complete an ACGME accredited residency position in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine Primary Care, Internal Medicine Pediatrics Primary Care (dual certification), or Psychiatry, and choose not to enter employment with Ochsner Health after completing residency you will be required to repay the full amount awarded plus an interest rate of 12% on the total balance owed.

• As an Ochsner Physician Scholar you are guaranteed employment if you meet the following criteria:
  • Successfully complete residency
  • Board eligible
  • Meet medical staff credentialing criteria for Ochsner Health
  • Meet medical licensure requirements for the State of Louisiana and Mississippi
• If you do not meet the criteria set forth above, you will be required to repay the amount awarded in accordance with the Ochsner Physician Scholars Retention Agreement, which is as follows:
  • Completion of less than one year, a penalty payment equal to 100% of the full amount awarded plus an interest rate of 12% on the total balance owed.
  • Completion of more than one, but less than two years, a penalty payment equal to 80% of the full amount awarded plus an interest rate of 10% on the total balance owed.
  • Completion of more than two, but less than three years, a penalty payment equal to 60% of the full amount awarded plus an interest rate of 8% on the total balance owed.
  • Completion of more than three, but less than four years, a penalty payment equal to 40% of the full amount awarded plus an interest rate of 5.5% on the total balance owed.
  • Completion of four years, but less than five full years, a penalty payment equal to 20% of the full amount awarded, paid within six months of termination date.

When I am hired by Ochsner Health, will I be paid the same as other new hire physicians in my department?

Yes, you are compensated the same as any newly hired physician in these departments, and in accordance with the legal regulations governing physician compensation standards.

Ochsner Physician Scholars will be placed based on need identified by Ochsner Health or its partners at the time of employment.

Yes, if there is a need identified by Ochsner Health. This will be determined solely at the discretion of Ochsner Health.

No. Ochsner Physician Scholars are responsible for their own housing at all times.

No. Upon hire, all employed Ochsner Health providers are required to sign a Physician Employment Agreement (PEA). The PEA governs the terms and conditions of all employed providers. Ochsner Providers are not hired for a set term. You can remain employed by Ochsner Health for as long as you wish, assuming you continue to meet eligibility and medical practice standards. Our hope is that after working within Ochsner Health you will gain an appreciation for the group practice as well as integrated health system and remain with Ochsner for your entire career.

• Yes, you are held to the same standards as all other Ochsner Health employed physicians. The PEA governs termination rights. Termination of employment within the five-year retention window may give rise to a repayment obligation as set forth in the Ochsner Physician Scholars Retention Agreement, which is as follows:
  • Completion of less than one year, a penalty payment equal to 100% of the full amount awarded plus an interest rate of 12% on the total balance owed.
  • Completion of more than one, but less than two years, a penalty payment equal to 80% of the full amount awarded plus an interest rate of 10% on the total balance owed.
  • Completion of more than two, but less than three years, a penalty payment equal to 60% of the full amount awarded plus an interest rate of 8% on the total balance owed.
  • Completion of more than three, but less than four years, a penalty payment equal to 40% of the full amount awarded plus an interest rate of 5.5% on the total balance owed.
  • Completion of four years, but less than five full years, a penalty payment equal to 20% of the full amount awarded, paid within six months of termination date.

• The Ochsner Physician Scholars program requires you to execute the Ochsner Physician Scholars Retention Agreement which serves as a contractual agreement between the Scholar and Ochsner Health. If the Scholar does not honor their obligation, then the Scholar is required to repay the amount awarded in accordance with the Ochsner Physician Scholars Retention Agreement.
• If you enter employment with Ochsner Health, but fail to complete the required five-year employment term:
  • Completion of less than one year, a penalty payment equal to 100% of the full amount awarded plus an interest rate of 12% on the total balance owed.
  • Completion of more than one, but less than two years, a penalty payment equal to 80% of the full amount awarded plus an interest rate of 10% on the total balance owed.
  • Completion of more than two, but less than three years, a penalty payment equal to 60% of the full amount awarded plus an interest rate of 8% on the total balance owed.
  • Completion of more than three, but less than four years, a penalty payment equal to 40% of the full amount awarded plus an interest rate of 5.5% on the total balance owed.
  • Completion of four years, but less than five full years, a penalty payment equal to 20% of the full amount awarded, paid within six months of termination date.