What is Staffer prohibited from controlling or exercising discretion over regarding the medical practice of a Degree Wellness franchise?
Degree_Wellness Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Authority over Medical Practice. Group shall be solely and exclusively in control of all aspects of the practice of medicine and the provision of professional medical services to its patients, including all medical training and medical supervision of licensed personnel, and Staffer shall neither have nor
exercise any control or discretion over the methods by which Group shall practice medicine. The rendition of all professional medical services, including but not limited to, diagnosis, treatment and the prescription of medicine and drugs, and the supervision and preparation of medical records and reports shall be the sole responsibility of Group. Staffer shall have no authority whatsoever with respect to such activities. Whenever this Agreement states that Group shall determine or approve any particular matter, such statement shall refer to decisions by the officers and directors (or committees thereof) of Group.
Source: Item 20 — OUTLETS AND FRANCHISEE INFORMATION (FDD pages 63–66)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Degree Wellness's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Staffer is prohibited from controlling or exercising discretion over the methods by which Group practices medicine. This includes all aspects of medical practice and the provision of professional medical services to patients. Staffer's obligations do not extend to medical training or medical supervision of licensed personnel. The rendition of professional medical services, including diagnosis, treatment, prescription of medicine and drugs, and the supervision and preparation of medical records and reports, are the sole responsibility of Group. Staffer has no authority over these activities.
This means that while Staffer provides staffing services, the medical decisions and practices within a Degree Wellness franchise remain entirely under the control of the licensed medical professionals (Group). This separation is crucial for maintaining medical autonomy and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations.
For a prospective franchisee, this indicates that the Degree Wellness business model emphasizes a clear division of responsibilities. The franchisee (or their medical group) retains full control over medical practices, while Staffer focuses on providing support services. This arrangement aims to protect the medical professionals' judgment and ensure they are not influenced by non-medical business interests. Degree Wellness ensures that the licensed provider has exclusive authority and control over the practice of medicine at the studio, including treatments, diagnosis, policies, and ethical determinations.