Are Physician Non-Compete Agreements Enforceable in New York?

Starting a new job in healthcare often means signing a stack of paperwork. Some of it easy to overlook. But one clause that can quietly change the entire course of your career? The non-compete. In New York, these agreements sit in a legal gray area. They’re allowed, but they’re far from guaranteed.

Courts in this state aren’t quick to enforce restrictions that feel unfair or overly broad. Our commercial litigation attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, encounter medicine non-competes that are lawsuits waiting to happen, especially when they limit access to care. 

If you're caught in a restrictive clause, our legal team specializing in non-compete agreements can be your strongest ally. 

Why Are Courts Pushing Back on Medical Non-Competes?

Judges don’t just ask, “Is this fair to the employer?” They want to know: Is this fair to you? And more importantly, is it fair to the people you care for?

They’ll dig into three big questions:

• Geographic scope: A few miles around a small practice might work. But if you’re blocked from the entire New York metro area? That’s excessive. It cuts off access to care for thousands of people.
• Duration: One to two years might fly. Anything longer? You’re looking at a legal uphill battle.
• Scope of services: You shouldn’t be banned from doing what you’re trained to do. Whether you want to teach, consult, or treat, the clause can’t cover everything just to keep you out of the field.

And if enforcing the non-compete would harm public access to care, especially in underserved areas, courts may push back.

If you didn’t receive meaningful compensation in exchange for agreeing to the clause, the court might not uphold it.

Bottom line? New York courts don’t automatically side with big practices. They’re looking at the whole picture, including how it affects you and your patients.

When Doctors Can’t Practice, Patients Suffer

You’ve built trust with your patients over the years. They rely on you. Then one day, you’re forced to walk away because a contract says you can’t practice within 25 miles. It’s frustrating and unfair.

Here’s what happens next:

• Patients lose continuity of treatment: When care gets interrupted, people get sicker. Studies show patients without a regular doctor face higher hospitalization risks.
• New providers may not have access to full medical histories: Lost or incomplete records can result in missed diagnoses or improper treatment.
• People delay care rather than starting over with someone new: An American Academy of Family Physicians report found over half of patients would rather wait than start over with a new provider.

Physicians lose too:

• Increased stress and anxiety: Burnout is real, and non-competes only make it worse.
• Early retirement: One in five physicians think about retiring early when they feel boxed in.
• Career shifts outside of clinical practice: Many doctors move into other industries just to avoid restrictions that keep them from helping patients.

Trapped by a Contract? Here’s How Doctors Can Fight Back

If your contract is keeping you from practicing medicine where you live, you don’t have to stay silent. Here are ways doctors in New York are pushing back:

• Lack of consideration: If your employer added the clause after hiring you and didn’t offer anything in return, that weakens their case.
• Unreasonable burden: If the agreement forces you to move, switch fields, or accept lower pay, it may not hold up.
• Harm to the public: Courts consider how the restriction impacts community access to care, especially in areas already short on providers.

In some cases, the threat of legal challenge is enough to bring clinics to the negotiating table. Other times, a judge may reduce the scope of the non-compete through a process called “blue-penciling.”

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Whether you’re signing a new contract or getting ready to leave, it’s smart to talk to an attorney first.

Here’s how to get ahead of it:

• Ask for revisions before you sign: Broad or vague language isn’t set in stone. Employers often negotiate.
• Keep a record of everything: Save your emails and notes. They matter.
• Work with someone who knows this area: Our New York attorneys provide legal assistance in navigating physician contracts in the state.

You’ve earned your skills. You deserve to use them, on your terms.

Speak With Top New York Attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP

You’ve spent your career taking care of people. Now it’s time someone looks out for you. 

Our commercial litigation lawyers at Horn Wright, LLP, help New York physicians stand up to unfair non-competes. Whether you’re planning a move, stuck in a toxic job, or just want to know your rights, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. 

We’ll help you review your contract, understand your options, and fight for the freedom to keep doing what you love. If your case involves deeper business tensions, like a contract disagreement or internal fallout, our legal team includes a business dispute resolution lawyer. 

We also handle breach of contract claims. And if you’re dealing with internal conflicts among co-founders or stakeholders, a dedicated partnership dispute attorney on our team can help you move forward. 

Contact us online or call (855) 465-4622 to schedule your FREE, no-obligation consultation. We're ready to protect your rights and pursue the resolution that works best for you. 

When it matters most, hire one of the best law firms in America to stand in your corner.