Cosign vs finding a collaborating physician yourself vs a staffing agency
Three common ways to find a collaborating physician are searching on your own, going through a staffing agency, or using a matching service like Cosign. The real difference is who does each step: finding the physician, preparing the agreement, and tracking chart reviews after you sign.
Who does each step?
| Step | On your own | Staffing agency | Cosign |
|---|---|---|---|
| Find a physician in your specialty | You search your network, former preceptors and your state NP association | Ask how the agency finds and vets physicians | We introduce a vetted physician in your specialty |
| Talk before signing | You set up each call | Ask whether you can talk with the physician first | You talk before anything is signed |
| Prepare the agreement | You or your counsel draft it | Ask who drafts it and whether it is built for your state | We prepare the state-specific agreement |
| Track chart reviews and check-ins | You keep the records | Ask how reviews are recorded and reported to you | We track chart reviews and check-ins each month |
| Prices | You agree terms with each physician | Ask for every fee in writing | Published: $750 one time, then $800 to $1,200 per month |
| If the fit is wrong | You start the search again | Ask what a switch costs | Rematches are free |
When a search on your own fits
If you already know a physician in your specialty who holds the licenses your state requires, you may mainly need a solid agreement and a way to track reviews. Start with our collaborative practice agreement template and checklist, then have counsel review it for your state.
What to ask a staffing agency
Ask the same questions you would ask any service: how physicians are matched to your specialty and state, who prepares the agreement, how chart reviews are tracked, what each fee covers and what happens if the fit is wrong. Our questions to ask a collaborating physician service turn that into a checklist.
When Cosign fits
Cosign is built for psychiatric NPs and other NPs and PAs in reduced or restricted practice states, and the telehealth groups that employ them. Psychiatry is our focus, and we help groups keep one relationship that covers several states. See Cosign pricing or get matched.