The recent release of 90 doctors in Charlotte, North Carolina, from their untenable hospital-employment contract has caused many doctors nationwide to wonder if they, too, might be able to break free of their burdensome employment contracts. To help them in that quest, the Association of Independent Doctors released today an independent doctors tool kit. The free guide is designed to help doctors become independent.

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"Mecklenburg Medical Group's departure from Atrium Health is welcome news," said Marni Jameson Carey, executive director of AID, a national nonprofit trade association that supports independent doctors, and educates consumers, businesses and lawmakers about why their survival is critical to the nation's health-care.

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"We hope their exodus is the beginning of a trend, and that it lights the way for other physicians who want to practice medicine the way they believe is best, without the intrusion of hospital administrators who often put profits before patients," she said.

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Nationwide, large hospital systems have been aggressively buying up independent doctors and turning them into employed physicians. "When hospital systems buy private medical practices, costs sky rocket, monopolies form, and quality suffers," said Carey. "AID is working to reverse that trend, which is not healthy for patients, doctors or communities."

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Studies show that most doctors would rather be independent than employed, but many don't know where to start, Carey said. "The free tool kit is for any doctor looking to break away from hospital employment as well as for medical residents who don't want to work for someone else."

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Hospital systems who want to keep doctors under their control often draft restrictive contracts that include non-compete clauses that forbid doctors who leave from practicing in the area, which makes doctors feel stuck. They also require employed doctors to hit quotas for referrals, admissions, procedures, and tests, which causes doctors to over treat and drives up costs.

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These were among the complaints in the suit Mecklenburg Medical Group filed against Atrium.

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AID's tool kit offers a step-by-step guide, complete with checklists for every aspect of forming a practice, from setting up a legal entity, equipping an office, building a brand, hiring staff, and managing cash flow. Whether a doctor wants to start a solo, small group, large group, or direct patient care practice, the tool kit is designed to demystify the process.

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"This terrific tool kit provides a practical overview of the process of transforming to an independent practice and will inspire people who don't know where to start," said Guy Kezirian, a Scottsdale-based ophthalmologist and founder of Physician CEO, a university-based certificate program that helps doctors develop better business skills.

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For more information about AID and a free tool kit, go to www.aid-us.org, or call (407) 571-9316.

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Founded in 2013, the Association of Independent Doctors is a national nonprofit dedicated to helping reduce health-care costs by helping consumers, businesses and lawmakers understand the value of keeping America's doctors independent. A fast-growing trade association with 1,000 members in more than 30 states coast to coast, AID is a 501(c)(6) based in Winter Park, Fla. www.aid-us.org.