Why Waiting Out a Contract Shouldn’t Hold You Back from Exploring Better Workforce Solutions

I was speaking to an executive in a health system that was six months into having implemented an MSP with a very large staffing agency that had promised everything under the sun from customer service, fill rates, quality and cost savings. I was not shocked to hear that almost none of the promises from sales had materialized.

Even acknowledging that she had been sold a lemon, her response was….

“Unfortunately, we are under contract for three years so I guess we will have to stick it out. But the clinical managers are furious!”

It’s a familiar refrain—but one that deserves a closer look. The reality is that almost every staffing or MSP/VMS contract includes an out clause for any reason. Those clauses exist for a reason: to give hospitals the flexibility to change course when a program isn’t meeting expectations. Simply put, a contract should never be a barrier to pursuing a solution that delivers greater value.

Why Contracts Aren’t the Roadblock You Think They Are

• Built-in flexibility – Out clauses are standard across the industry. They’re there to protect providers, not lock them in indefinitely. If you don’t have one in your contract, you should add one immediately.
• Business needs change – Market dynamics, labor shortages, and financial pressures evolve quickly. Staying locked into a misaligned model only prolongs challenges. Changing vendors when market conditions change is not just smart business, it’s a professional obligation as a leader to adapt when necessary.
• Opportunity cost is real – Every month spent in an underperforming program represents missed savings, reduced transparency, and unnecessary operational strain. How do you put a price tag on patient care? Manager satisfaction? Patient satisfaction?

The HWL Advantage: Why Acting Now Matters

At HWL, we specialize in helping health systems reduce costs, improve clinical quality, and restore trust in contingent workforce management. Our vendor-neutral model and private-label internal agency solutions provide the transparency and control that agency-led MSPs cannot. Waiting until a contract expires simply delays the benefits you could be realizing today:

• Guaranteed savings – Our supplier-funded model ensures immediate financial benefit with no capital outlay.
• Improved quality – With direct sourcing, clinical screening, and true vendor neutrality, health systems gain access to more qualified talent at market-aligned rates.
• Customizable programs – Whether you need technology only, partial support, or full-service workforce management, HWL adapts to your needs by department or spend category.

The Bottom Line

Contracts aren’t excuses—they’re frameworks with built-in flexibility. If your current partner isn’t delivering, the cost of waiting far outweighs the perceived hassle of change. HWL makes transitions seamless, with proven processes to ensure compliance, continuity, and immediate impact.

Your workforce challenges can’t wait. Neither should you.