Economic challenges have led to many physicians, including Orthopaedic Surgeons, working clinically longer than expected.  Planning for retirement may require additional ancillary income beyond the point that taking call and operating is desirable.  Physicians equipped with a sound financial plan, including a form of ancillary income on the side, stand to benefit from the assurance that their retirement years can unfold with peace and financial stability.

Medicolegal work in California

Medicolegal work is a stable source of nonclinical income.  An Orthopaedic Surgeon’s medical expertise is required to settle claims of injury and allows for a steady income stream.  The California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) allows for the appointment of retired or teaching physicians as Qualified Medical Evaluators (QMEs). A QME appointment requires that a physician be in clinical practice, but there are exceptions to allow them to continue this work into retirement.  One route is by an academic appointment as a current salaried faculty member at an accredited university or college with a current medical license as well as being engaged in teaching, lecturing, published writing or medical research at that university or college for not less than one-third of their professional time.  A physician may also be retired from full-time practice while maintaining a California medical license with at least a minimum of 25 years’ practice as a physician.  With a minimum of 10 years’ experience in workers’ compensation issues, and currently practicing fewer than 10 hours per week in direct medical care, a physician can remain a QME with a reduced clinical practice.  Lastly, a physician may be retired with a documented medical or physical disability and currently practice for less than 10 hours per week.  Busy AMEs may also qualify for the exception to the clinical practice requirement.

Staying Engaged in the Medical Community During Retirement

QME work provides retiring physicians with an opportunity to use their clinical expertise to benefit the lives of injured workers by administering an unbiased legal opinion in industrial injuries.  The schedule is flexible and schedules well in advance, allowing for hobbies and travel while staying productive.  Participating in QME work will not only ensure that your retirement years are financially stable, but that you also maintain continued engagement within the medical community.