Legal implications of physician unionization.
A review of the above material should make it plain that there is no legal method for a large group of private, practicing physicians to organize and negotiate fees with any semblance to the power of labor unions. Antitrust and labor laws make such attempts illegal. On the other hand, PPOs, IPAs, and various other strategies can be somewhat helpful. However, even with these types of organizations, the legal structure, corporate bylaws, board resolutions and subjects of meetings must be carefully planned and continually monitored. Otherwise, the time, effort and money spent on the endeavor may be futile.