One of the most prevalent provisions in a physician's employment contract is a restrictive covenant (otherwise known as a covenant not to compete or noncompete agreement).They often set forth proscriptions while employed and post-employment. So, when that physician's employment ends, either with a private office, hospital, health system or other health care facility, he may be limited as to where he may practice. Noncompetes are designed to restrict physicians from competing by precluding them from working for a competitor, or setting up a competing medical practice, usually for a specified time period after employment ends within a designated geographic area.