Contract & Benefits

Physician Recruitment Process and Compensation Overview

Compensation at Wellstar Kennestone is highly competitive and tiered based on experience. For surgeons with 0-3 years of experience, the base salary starts at $428,000 with a total compensation target of $513,000. This increases to $450,000 base and $540,000 total for 4-6 years of experience, $472,000 base and $566,000 total for 7-9 years, and $496,000 base with $595,000 total for those with 10 or more years of experience. Additionally, there's a value and finance bonus targeting 15% of total compensation (with potential to reach 22.5%) and a productivity incentive maxing out at 5% of the base salary. The benefits package is equally impressive, featuring an increased Paid Time Off allowance of 5 weeks plus 1 week for Continuing Medical Education. The position also includes malpractice and tail coverage, a 403b & 457b retirement plan with a 4% match, and qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. ***See benefits PDF for full information.

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: 

  • 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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