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Physician Contract Glossary · Regulatory & Compliance

Fair Market Value

Fair market value is the price a willing buyer and seller would agree to with full knowledge, and physician compensation must meet it to satisfy federal law.

Fair market value is the price an arm's-length willing buyer and willing seller would agree on, each with reasonable knowledge of the facts. It runs through physician contracts because Stark and Anti-Kickback both require that compensation, buy-ins, and rentals sit at fair market value, not be inflated to reward referrals. Independent valuations are used to set buy-in prices, benchmark pay, and price practice sales.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Recognize that fair market value language is protecting the legality of your pay, not capping it arbitrarily. When buying into a practice, insist on an independent valuation rather than a number the sellers set themselves.

Related terms

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They had no guide either. You do. Start with the option that costs you nothing: see every practice that is actually out there before anyone hands you a contract.

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