Augusta University Health Professions Associates, Inc.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is "practice" defined by the Practice Plan?

• "Practice" encompasses multiple activities along the continuum of professional services including, but not limited to, clinical services, consultation services, education & continuing education services.
  • All professional services rendered by CAHS faculty that generate income, regardless of where or when those services are delivered, are considered "practice," unless otherwise exempted.
• All such activities will be pre‐approved and governed by Augusta University, either through the Practice Plan or the Outside Activity policy. Practice activities are considered "service" within the tripartite mission of the institution and as such can be included in documentation for promotion and tenure purposes.
• Practice arrangements typically involve compensated professional services through a contractual agreement. CAHS practice is not limited to any one geographical location or collaborating entity.

How are services provided under the Faculty Practice plan compensated?

• Compensation for faculty practice is considered supplemental taxable income.
• Any faculty member who is a licensed professional and who is a salaried employee of Augusta University can engage in clinical practice during normal business hours.
• Under this arrangement, the faculty member is allocated 70% of the total supplemental income (revenue) generated, while the remaining 30% is allocated to the Practice Plan which then support activities within the College.

Practice plan fund allocations are divided as follows: The faculty member’s Department receives 7.5%, the Dean’s Fund receives 7.5%, and the Plan Administrative Fund receives 15% (7.65% for employer taxes and 7.35% for Plan operating expenses).

What activities are considered to be outside the scope of the Practice Plan?

The following types of income earned by faculty or credentialed staff are excluded from the provisions of this plan:

• Stipends, income, or expense reimbursements associated with grant reviews, editorial reviews, accreditation activities or service for professional organizations
• Royalties
• Income derived from presentations or publications for professional organizations unless paid by the entity to provide continuing education or promote a specific service, product, or device.
• Revenue of $500 or less derived from an isolated and/or non‐recurring professional activity.
• Income derived from presentations/service associated with AU’s Division of Continuing Education.
• Monetary awards for professional or personal achievement.
• Income from providing professional consultation services pursuant to a lawsuit or contemplated legal action.
• Income derived from non‐professional activities.

For more information, please refer to the Outside Activities Policy.

How much time can I spend in clinical practice?

The Department Chair, in consultation with the faculty member, determines the percent of effort that will be assigned to faculty practice. Typically, faculty members are allowed either 10% effort (4 hours per week) or 20% (8 hours per week) during normal duty hours. Practice outside of normal duty hours is allowed by the University System of Georgia and Augusta University and is governed by the Outside Activities Policy (Appendix 3). However, the faculty member who provides professional service outside of normal business hours is not covered by the USG’s malpractice insurance. Only faculty practice performed under the auspices of the faculty practice plan is covered by USG’s malpractice insurance.

What does a "Professional Services Agreement" look like?

View this generic template for a "Professional Services Agreement" (contract).

Approximately how large is the Practice Plan and what services are being offered?

The Practice Plan generates net revenue of between $250,000 and $300,000 per year from supplemental income (SI) contracts, with 70% paid to the faculty member through the AU payroll.