Ask HRC: Limits to Physician Work Hours

Recently, an HRC member asked if there are any pending or new federal and/or state laws that limit the number of hours that physicians can work.

HRC is not aware of any laws that limit the hours of physicians who are independent contractors. This issue might be specifically addressed in medical staff bylaws, although that would be unusual. For any healthcare workers who are employees of a facility, the employee contract could address work hours and overtime, as long as it is in compliance with state laws. Some states have limited the number of mandatory overtime hours for...