Contract & Benefits

Physician Recruitment Process and Compensation Overview

The compensation package for the cardiology position at Wellstar in Griffin, Georgia, offers a comprehensive and competitive array of financial incentives and quality of life benefits. At its core, the package provides financial stability through a guaranteed salary for the first one to two years, followed by a transition to an RVU-based compensation plan. This structure ensures initial security while offering the potential for increased earnings based on productivity. The financial aspect is further enhanced by value and finance bonuses, although specific details of these incentives are not provided. Income potential reaches 75-90th percentile earnings.

To ease the transition into the role, Wellstar offers substantial sign-on benefits, including a $20,000 signing bonus and an additional $20,000 in relocation assistance. This upfront financial support demonstrates the organization's commitment to attracting top talent and facilitating a smooth onboarding process.

The emphasis on work-life balance is evident in the generous time off provisions. The package includes five weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO), supplemented by five additional rollover sick days and seven paid holidays. This is further supported by the standard 4.5-day work week structure, with patient schedules ending at 4:15 PM daily. While not explicitly detailed, the package also mentions maternity and paternity leave options, underlining the organization's family-friendly policies.

Professional development is encouraged through a Continuing Medical Education (CME) allowance, which includes both financial support (amount unspecified) and a dedicated week of CME time. This investment in ongoing education ensures that physicians can stay at the forefront of their field.

The retirement and insurance benefits are comprehensive. The package offers both 403(b) and 457(b) retirement plan options, although specific details about employer contributions are not provided. Insurance coverage is extensive, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance. Notably, the malpractice insurance is occurrence-based, providing robust protection for physicians. Additional benefits include options for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA), offering further financial flexibility and tax advantages.

The practice environment is supported by a fully integrated Epic EMR system and APP support for patient care and call coverage, which can contribute to work efficiency and job satisfaction. For international candidates, Wellstar welcomes those with J1 and H1B visas, broadening the opportunity for a diverse range of qualified professionals.

An often-overlooked aspect of compensation is the cost of living in the area. Griffin offers significant financial advantages with housing costs 45% lower than Atlanta and an overall cost of living 20% lower than the nearby metropolitan area. This effectively increases the real value of the compensation package. Additionally, the area provides access to top-notch public and private golf courses within a 30-minute drive, adding to the quality of life benefits. 

Time Off: 

  • Vacation: 5 weeks per fiscal year (prorated based on hire date)
  • Holidays: 7 days (doesn't impact vacation time)
  • Extended Illness: Full-time physicians accrue up to 5 paid days per contract year, unused days carry over to a maximum of 520 hours 

Maternity/Paternity/Adoption Leave: 

  • Available after 6 months of full-time employment
  • Full-time: 160 hours
  • Part-time: 80 hours
  • Paid at time of birth or finalized adoption, applied before illness pay or vacation pay 

Basic Life & AD&D Insurance: 

  • Eligible on the first day of the month following 30 days of continuous employment
  • Policy equals 2x annual base pay (up to $1,000,000)
  • No enrollment necessary, but beneficiary information needs to be provided
  • Age reduction applies at 70
  • Imputed income recognized 

Long Term Disability Insurance: 

  • Eligible after 30 days of continuous full-time employment
  • Provided at no cost
  • Payable on the 91st day of disability if approved
  • Benefit equals 60% of monthly base pay up to $16,000 per month 

Supplemental Individual Disability Insurance: 

  • Eligible to enroll during next open enrollment period (if full-time)
  • Requires approval from Supplemental LTD company
  • Pays in addition to Group LTD plan, providing up to 75% of total compensation 

Continuing Medical Education (CME):

  • One work week each fiscal year
  • $5,000 allowance per fiscal year (prorated for part-time)
  • Full amount ($5,000) for those starting before January 1st, half amount ($2,500) for those starting on or after January 1st 

Malpractice Coverage: 

  • Wellstar provided occurrence-based coverage at no cost to Physician

Professional Dues: 

  • Up to $1,000 per contract year for full-time (prorated for part-time)
  • Full amount ($1,000) for those starting before January 1st, half amount ($500) for those starting on or after January 1st 

Reimbursements: 

  • For board certification/recertification, DEA, Georgia medical license, and city/county business license

Retirement Plans: 

  • a. 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan (details in Benefits-at-a-Glance 2024)
  • b. Deferred Compensation Plan – 457(b):
    Eligible to enroll on first day of employment
    Maximum annual employee contribution of $23,000 in 2024
    No Wellstar matching contribution
    Can contribute percentage of bi-weekly salary or flat dollar amount
    Investment options identical to 403(b) investments 

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