Advertise on podcast: The 1099 Tax Doctor

Nobody hands you a playbook when you graduate from a pediatrics residency into a pandemic, watch your entire specialty's locum market dry up overnight, and still decide to bet on it. In this episode of The 1099 Tax Doctor podcast, Dr. Eric and Jenna Wright sit down with Dr. Trevor Cabrera, The Nomadic Pediatrician, and one of fewer than 6,000 board-certified neonatologists in the country, to unpack what a fully nomadic 1099 career actually looks like in practice, and what it can pay for on the way out. Dr. Cabrera shares the whole arc: finishing pediatrics residency in July 2020, living paycheck to paycheck as a physician for seven months while pediatric locum jobs disappeared, selling 90% of his belongings, packing a suitcase and a half, and spending the next three years working in 15 hospitals across 10 states. By the time he started neonatology fellowship in 2023, he had paid off $315,000 in student loans and converted the same amount into a backdoor Roth. Dr. Cabrera also walks through the hybrid W-2/1099 contract he just negotiated as a first-year attending, why his fellowship mentors told him not to do it, and what the Asante Rogue Regional NICU story reveals about the future of pediatric hospital staffing. Things You Will Learn: How Dr. Cabrera used a high-volume, multi-state locum tenens run to pay off $315K in loans in roughly three years and rebuild the same amount as a backdoor RothWhat a hybrid W-2/1099 physician contract can actually look like: a 0.7 FTE, ~75% W2 with a 6% 401(k) match, ~25% 1099, outside locum work permitted, and travel written into salary as a write-off rather than a reimbursementWhy the accountant, financial advisor, and disability insurance provider you pick in your first 1099 year matter more than any single tax strategy, especially when you're working across multiple states Tools / Frameworks Covered: The Locum-Fueled Debt Attack: Trading three years of maximum travel and volume for a fully paid-off loan balance, and using low-income fellowship years to convert prior SEP IRA contributions into a Roth at a lower tax cost.The Hybrid W-2/1099 Contract: Splitting a single job into a W-2 portion for benefits, 401(k) match, and Social Security coverage, and a 1099 portion that preserves locum flexibility and turns salary-embedded travel into deductible expense.Points-to-Passport Compounding: Stacking hotel loyalty points (Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy) and credit card multipliers on every agency- and employer-booked hotel night, then cashing them for high-value personal travel later. Timetamps: (0:00) Meet Dr. Trevor Cabrera and The Nomadic Pediatrician (0:46) Graduating Pediatrics Into the COVID Locum Drought (9:26) Killing $315K in Loans and Rebuilding It as a Backdoor Roth (11:00) 15 Hospitals, 10 States, and What Rural Pediatrics Really Looks Like (17:55) What Systems Could Actually Do About Maternal Deserts (22:32) Where AI Could Help and Where It Almost Certainly Can't (32:12) Languages, Culinary Medicine, and the Alpaca Farm Dream (39:07) The Asante NICU Firings and the Neonatology Shortage (50:45) The Hybrid W-2/1099 Contract Nobody Told Him Was Possible (57:33) How 1,000 Nights on the Road Became a Month in Europe #LocumTenens #1099Physician #NomadicPediatrician #PhysicianFinance #StudentLoanPayoff

Most physicians who dabble in locums have no idea how the money actually moves. They see the hourly rate, sign the contract, and never learn what the agency is billing the hospital on the other side of that transaction. In this episode of the 1099 Tax Doctor Podcast, Dr. Eric and Jenna Wright sit down with Cory Kleinschmidt, Founder of Locumpedia, an independent platform that has become the central hub for physicians navigating the locum tenens industry. Cory came up in the industry, cutting his teeth at what would become Locumtenens.com under Rick Jackson, and launched Locumpedia in late 2019, roughly four months before COVID shut everything down. He pulls back the curtain on how the industry actually works: the $50 per hour spread that funds agency margins, why hospital perception of locums has flipped from necessary evil to proactive revenue tool, and why the locum tenens market has doubled to over $10 billion in five years while travel nursing has collapsed. Things You Will Learn: Why the locum tenens market is the only healthcare staffing segment that has grown every year since 2021, and what's driving physicians into itHow locum staffing agencies actually make money, and what the billing-versus-pay spread coversWhat questions every physician should ask an agency before signing, including whether they belong to NALTO Tools / Frameworks Covered: Locumpedia: An independent, agency-neutral job board and career resource aggregating 7,000+ locum listings from roughly 30 staffing firms in one searchable platform.The Agency Spread Model: The margin between what an agency bills a facility and what it pays the physician, which funds travel, malpractice coverage, and administrative support.NALTO Code of Ethics: The National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations sets ethical standards agencies agree to uphold, including transparency about pay and never presenting a candidate without consent.Interstate Medical License Compact (IMLC): A reciprocal licensing framework across 40+ states that removes one of the biggest historical barriers to multi-state locum work.The LLC Setup: The tax structuring move that separates locum physicians who keep their income from those who leave hundreds of thousands on the table. Timetamps: (0:00) The Cold Open: $200 Bill, $150 Pay, and the Spread That Runs the Industry (0:33) Meet Cory Kleinschmidt and Locumpedia (1:15) What Locumpedia Actually Is (3:04) Launching a Company Four Months Before COVID (and Pivoting to News) (5:18) Can Hospitals Post Jobs Directly? And Why the Agency Model Dominates (10:07) The Rise of Docs Going Straight Into Locums Out of Residency (11:03) The "No BS Guide to Locum Tenens" and What Docs Are Actually Searching For (13:54) The Market Doubled to $10 Billion in Five Years, and What's Driving It (16:52) Shopping Agencies, the $50 Spread, and Why NALTO Membership Matters (21:59) Locumpedia's Vendor Directory, Why Not to DIY, and the Interstate Medical License Compact (25:00) Episode Wrap-Up #LocumTenens #1099Physician #PhysicianEntrepreneur #LocumLife #PhysicianFinance #Locumpedia

$500,000 in student debt left Dr. Jordan Frey feeling burned out and trapped in medicine. Taking control of his finances changed everything. Dr. Frey, plastic surgeon and founder of The Prudent Plastic Surgeon, joins the 1099 Tax Doctor Podcast to share how he went from financial stress to greater freedom, flexibility, and control over his career. In this episode: How a financial plan helped him overcome burnoutWhy side income can give physicians the power to say noHow to balance debt payoff, investing, and lifestyleWhy side gigs should create freedom, not more burnoutHis top financial advice for new physicians Financial freedom isn’t just about building wealth. It’s about creating more choices in your career and your life. Watch the full episode to learn how to make your money work toward greater freedom. Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (02:09) Debt and Physician Burnout (07:15) The Path to Financial Freedom (10:20) Avoiding Lifestyle Creep (13:05) When to Spend More (17:00) W-2 vs. 1099 (22:36) Why Physicians Need Side Income (28:20) Side Gig Burnout (29:42) Beyond the Doctor Identity (31:23) Building Side Income (33:32) Pay Off Debt or Invest? (35:24) Rent or Buy? (37:24) Financial Advisor or DIY? (40:26) Index Funds vs. Real Estate (40:56) 3 Financial Rules for Physicians #PhysicianFinance #FinancialFreedom #PhysicianBurnout #WealthBuilding #CareerAutonomy #Entrepreneurship #PersonalFinance #PhysicianLife

What if AI's biggest impact on healthcare isn't replacing doctors—but helping them deliver better care? In this episode, Dr. Eric Wright and Jenna Wright are joined by Dr. Ravi Raheja, pediatrician, entrepreneur, and founder of Triage Logic, to discuss how AI, remote care, and robotics are reshaping the future of healthcare. You'll learn: How AI can improve patient care without replacing doctors or nursesWhy remote triage could become the new front door to healthcareHow Dr. Raheja built a healthcare company serving over 42 million patientsWhat the next generation of AI-powered healthcare will look likePractical lessons on turning a real-world problem into a successful business Whether you're a healthcare professional, entrepreneur, or simply curious about the future of medicine, this episode offers a fascinating look at where healthcare is headed. Watch now, and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share if you enjoyed the episode! Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (00:55) Meet Dr. Ravi Raheja (01:40) What Triage Logic Does (02:44) How the Business Started (04:08) Building Remote Healthcare Technology (06:29) Bootstrapping the Company (08:06) Using AI in Patient Triage (11:21) AI Helps Nurses, Not Replaces Them (13:33) How COVID Changed Remote Care (14:53) The Future of Healthcare and Robotics (17:49) Building AI Powered Robots (20:43) Why Business Owners Must Learn AI (23:42) From Idea to Successful Business (28:02) How AI Accelerates Software Development (30:05) Final Thoughts and Where to Learn More #AI #Healthcare #ArtificialIntelligence #MedicalTechnology #FutureOfMedicine #HealthcareInnovation #Telemedicine #Doctors

What if you could build a thriving medical practice without relying on insurance companies? In this episode, Dr. Josh Umbehr, family physician, entrepreneur, and founder of Atlas MD, shares how he helped pioneer the Direct Primary Care (DPC) movement and built a practice focused on patients instead of paperwork. You'll discover: Why Direct Primary Care is changing the future of medicine.How he launched and grew a profitable practice from residency.The low-cost marketing strategies that fueled rapid growth.How transparent pricing, in-office medication dispensing, and the right technology benefit both doctors and patients.Why simplifying healthcare can improve patient care and physician satisfaction. If you're a physician, healthcare entrepreneur, or curious about innovative healthcare models, this episode is full of practical insights you can apply. 👍 Like, subscribe, and let us know in the comments: Could Direct Primary Care become the future of healthcare? Timestamps: (00:00) Why Direct Primary Care Works (00:24) Meet Dr. Josh Umbehr (02:12) The Origins of Direct Primary Care (05:00) Launching a Practice From Residency (08:03) Funding the Startup (11:02) Marketing a DPC Practice (17:06) What Patients Actually Pay For (22:15) Growing to a Profitable Practice (26:38) Regulations and In-Office Medication (30:52) Building Atlas MD (36:27) Advice for Doctors Starting DPC #DirectPrimaryCare #DPC #HealthcareInnovation #PhysicianEntrepreneur #PracticeManagement #IndependentPractice #MedicineFuture #PatientCare

What if the biggest regret at the end of your life isn't what you did, but what you never dared to do? In this eye-opening conversation, hospice physician, bestselling author, and Earn & Invest host Dr. Jordan Grumet shares the powerful lessons he's learned from caring for people in their final days. Time and again, he found that people rarely regret failure—they regret the dreams they never pursued. Dr. Grumet explores: The most common regrets people carry to the end of lifeWhy financial independence doesn't automatically create happinessThe difference between having enough money and feeling like you're enoughWhy purpose isn't found, but built through actionHow thinking about mortality can help you make better decisions today If you're chasing success, planning for retirement, or wondering what comes next after achieving your goals, this conversation may change how you think about purpose, happiness, and what truly matters. Watch now and discover how to build a life with fewer regrets and more meaning. Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (00:27) Dr. Grummet’s Background (03:25) What Dying Patients Teach Us (04:40) The Regret of Playing It Safe (07:26) Surprising Lessons About Death (09:45) Death as a Guide for Living (10:24) Common End-of-Life Regrets (12:07) Why Relationships Matter Most (13:47) Purpose Beyond Family (14:02) Big P vs Little P Purpose (17:15) How to Build Purpose (18:38) The Healthcare Heist Explained (21:13) Why Healthcare Won’t Change Easily (24:48) Finding Financial Independence (25:11) Financial Independence vs Enough (27:33) What Happens After Retirement (27:57) Meaning and Purpose Defined (31:04) Why Feeling Enough Matters (32:58) Final Thoughts #Purpose #FinancialFreedom #PersonalGrowth #LifeLessons #Success #Regret #Mindset #Identity #Meaning

Most physicians spend years mastering medicine but almost no time learning how to negotiate their worth. In this episode, Dr. Eric Wright sits down with physician contract expert Ethan Enkana, who shares insider knowledge from both sides of the negotiating table. After years working for hospitals, Ethan now helps physicians secure better contracts, higher compensation, and stronger work-life balance. You'll learn: How hospitals really determine physician payThe biggest contract mistakes doctors makeWhat creates real negotiating leverageHidden RVU and compensation traps to avoidHow to handle non-competes and private equity contracts Whether you're signing your first contract or renegotiating your current one, this conversation could save you years of frustration and potentially add hundreds of thousands of dollars to your career earnings. 🎧 Watch now and learn how to advocate for your value with confidence. Timestamps: (00:41) Why Ethan Switched Sides (01:35) Rebranding to The Physician Agency (04:45) How Hospitals Determine Physician Pay (08:32) Why Doctors Struggle with Negotiation (12:56) What Creates Negotiation Leverage (15:58) Biggest Contract Mistakes Physicians Make (22:31) Hidden Compensation and RVU Traps (26:27) Looking Beyond Salary (32:06) Non-Competes and Restrictive Covenants (38:36) How to Make a Strong Counteroffer (41:30) How Hospitals View Negotiations (43:41) Private Equity in Medicine (47:00) W2 vs 1099 Physician Contracts (49:11) Major Contract Red Flags (53:49) Getting Paid for Non-Clinical Work (57:24) How to Contact Ethan #PhysicianLife #DoctorCareer #ContractNegotiation #PhysicianFinance #MedicineBusiness #HealthcareLeadership #MedicalPractice

Most physicians don’t burn out because of long hours. They burn out because they lose control of their time. In this episode of the 1099 Tax Doctor Podcast, Dr. Sasha Shillcutt, cardiac anesthesiologist, entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, founder of Brave Enough and Legacy Collective, and host of The Brave Enough Show podcast, shares why more doctors are leaving traditional medicine and what it really takes to build freedom through entrepreneurship. Featured in Forbes and known for coaching thousands of women worldwide, Dr. Sasha brings powerful insight into burnout, autonomy, leadership, and redefining success beyond money. Key insights from this episode: Why autonomy matters more than workloadHow perfectionism keeps physicians stuckThe mindset shift needed to succeed in businessWhy protecting your time is essential for wealth and well-beingHow Dr. Sasha redefined success beyond money If you’re curious about entrepreneurship, burnout recovery, or creating more control over your life and career, this episode is packed with honest and practical advice. Watch now and rethink what success really means. Timestamps: (00:00) Meet Dr. Sasha Shillcut (02:01) Why Physicians Are Leaving Traditional Medicine (04:21) Perfectionism and the Entrepreneur Mindset (07:24) Why Physicians Should Value Their Time (09:46) The Importance of Daily Time Alone (11:27) Protecting Time to Build Wealth (15:12) How to Say No Without Guilt (17:29) What Entrepreneurship Teaches Physicians (19:54) Practical Advice for Starting a Business (21:17) Redefining Success Beyond Money (24:34) Why Entrepreneurship Is a Marathon

What if the future of medicine means fewer hospital shifts, more freedom, and higher income? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Suneer Chander, Board-Certified Emergency Physician, telemedicine leader, and President of AIR Physician Academy, to explore why more physicians are leaving traditional hospital jobs and building flexible, high-income careers through telemedicine. With more than 20 years in emergency medicine, Dr. Chander has worked across urban trauma centers, rural ERs, and national telemedicine platforms. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he transitioned into telehealth and quickly became a leader in physician team building, telemedicine operations, licensing, compliance, and digital healthcare innovation. Today, he also serves as co-founder and President of NVP Medical Group and Medical Director at Wisp, helping shape the future of modern healthcare delivery. In this conversation, we discuss: Why telemedicine can be more lucrative than traditional medicineHow 1099 physicians create more freedom and flexibilityWhy multi-state licensing opens massive opportunitiesHow telehealth is helping reduce physician burnoutWhy AI could reshape the future of healthcare If you’re curious about the future of medicine, physician entrepreneurship, or building a more flexible career, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Watch now and discover why so many doctors are making the move to telemedicine. Timestamps: (00:00) Telemedicine and 1099 Careers (02:11) Telemedicine Misconceptions (03:29) Why Doctors Leave the ER (04:47) How Telehealth Pays More (06:16) Building a High-Income Telehealth Career (07:27) Why Multi-State Licenses Matter (10:45) Telehealth Leadership Opportunities (11:32) W2 vs 1099 Telemedicine Jobs (12:50) Biggest Licensing Mistakes (14:11) Thinking Like a Business Owner (16:18) Lifestyle Freedom Through Telemedicine (19:36) The Future of Telehealth and AI (22:55) Advice for Doctors Considering Telehealth (24:22) Burnout Reduction and Success Stories Learn more about AIR Physician Academy: https://airphysicianacademy.com/

Most doctors don’t realize their 1099 contract can cost them thousands… until it’s too late. In this episode, contract attorney Jackie Bain breaks down the hidden risks inside 1099 agreements that physicians often overlook. Here’s what you’ll learn: When a 1099 role is actually misclassifiedThe clauses that can quietly cost you moneyHow compensation models can mislead youNon-competes vs non-solicits: what really mattersWhat to check in malpractice insurance If you’re working, or planning to work under a 1099, this could save you serious money and stress. Watch before you sign your next contract. Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (00:16) Meet Jackie Bain (01:10) Misconceptions about 1099 contracts (02:28) 1099 vs employee misclassification (05:46) Key red flags in contracts (09:07) Compensation pitfalls and offsets (11:23) Malpractice insurance mistakes (15:26) Non-competes and non-solicits (19:40) What is negotiable in 1099 contracts (23:26) The importance of contract review (25:27) Why expert review matters (26:49) How to reach out to Jackie #1099contracts #physicianlife #contractreview #healthcarebusiness #financialrisk #noncompete #contractlaw #careersafety #contractmistakes #legalrisk #careeradvice #DoctorContracts #IndependentContractor #PhysicianContracts #ContractNegotiation #MedicalContracts

Many business owners think putting their spouse or kids on the payroll will cut their tax bill, but it’s not that simple. This episode breaks down when family payroll actually saves money, when it backfires, and how to tell the difference. You’ll learn the real math behind 401(k) contributions, cash balance plans, and payroll taxes, plus smarter ways to reduce your taxable income legally and efficiently. 👉 Watch now to uncover which tax moves truly work and which don’t. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:28 Should You Put Your Spouse on Payroll? 01:25 Does It Really Save You Money on Taxes? 03:41 When It Makes Sense to Pay Your Spouse 04:37 Should You Put Your Kids on Payroll? #TaxStrategy #SmallBusinessFinance #TaxDeductions #EntrepreneurMindset #MoneyMatters #EntrepreneurLife #TaxSavings #RetirementPlanning #HighEarners #CashBalancePlan #FinanceTips #SmallBusinessTips #BusinessTaxTips

Tired of watching your hard-earned money disappear to taxes? There’s a smarter way to save big and grow your retirement fund at the same time. The Tax Doctor explains how Defined Benefit Plans help high earners cut taxes, boost retirement savings, and outsmart the limits of a 401(k). Learn how these plans work, why they’re ideal for six-figure professionals, and how to use them for long-term wealth. Stop overpaying taxes! Discover the strategy that lets you keep more of what you earn. Watch now! Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:25 What’s a Defined Benefit Plan 02:06 Defined Contribution Plans Explained 03:08 How DB Plans Are Structured & Calculated 04:48 From Pensions to Cash Balance Plans 06:06 Why DB Plans Target 5–7% Returns 08:09 Why DB Plans Work Best for High Earners 09:06 How to Get a DB Plan #TaxStrategy #SmallBusinessFinance #TaxDeductions #EntrepreneurMindset #MoneyMatters #EntrepreneurLife #TaxSavings #RetirementPlanning #HighEarners #CashBalancePlan #FinanceTips #SmallBusinessTips #BusinessTaxTips #DefinedBenefitPlan #1099RetirementPlan #TaxShelter #RetirementStrategy #WealthBuilding

💰 Your CPA might be costing you thousands, and you don’t even know it. Most accountants focus on filing returns, not finding savings. In this episode, we uncover the real tax strategies high-earning professionals should be using, from how an S-Corp can legally cut your tax bill to why retirement plans (like 401(k)s and cash balance plans) are the most powerful way to keep more of what you make. Forget hidden write-offs, this is about smart structure and smarter planning. 🎧 Watch now and start keeping more of your money. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:24 What Really Counts as a Business Expense 02:55 Should You Become an S-Corp? Here’s the Truth 05:15 Why Most Accountants Warn You Off S-Corps 06:04 Hidden Perks of an S-Corp Nobody Talks About 07:27 Where the Real Tax Savings Are: 401(k)s & Cash Balance Plans 08:23 How to Qualify for the 20% QBI Deduction 08:53 Final Tip: Work with a Proactive Tax Strategist #TaxStrategy #SmallBusinessFinance #TaxDeductions #EntrepreneurMindset #MoneyMatters #EntrepreneurLife #TaxSavings #RetirementPlanning #HighEarners #CashBalancePlan #FinanceTips #SmallBusinessTips #BusinessTaxTips #SCorpTaxSavings #1099Contractor #SelfEmploymentTax #ProactiveTaxPlanning #WealthBuilding

Tired of stressing over quarterly taxes? You’re not alone. Most 1099 contractors and small business owners waste hours trying to “get it perfect.” This episode breaks down a simple, stress-free way to handle estimated taxes — how much to pay, when to pay, and how S-Corps can even wait until year-end without penalties. Learn how to stop giving the IRS an interest-free loan and start keeping more of what you earn. 🎯 Watch now to simplify your taxes, save time, and finally breathe easier this tax season. Timestamps: 00:45 How estimated taxes actually work 02:20 Underpaying vs. overpaying the IRS 03:18 Estimated taxes for 1099 contractors 05:14 Estimated taxes for S corporations 07:40 Summary & final tips #TaxesMadeSimple #IRS #1099Tips #TaxStrategy #SmallBusinessFinance #TaxTips #QuarterlyTaxes #1099Life #MoneySmarts #SCorp

Most people think switching from W-2 to 1099 is just about freedom, but it’s really about keeping more of what you earn. We break down the real financial differences between being an employee and an independent contractor, from hidden tax traps to massive savings opportunities. You’ll learn when 1099 status actually makes sense, how to legally save tens of thousands in taxes, and why some people should stay W-2 to avoid disaster. 👉 Watch now and stop leaving money on the table. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:25 W-2 vs 1099: Which Pays More? 01:00 Why 1099 Earners Pay Less in Taxes 02:04 When W-2 Actually Makes More Sense 03:25 The Hidden Cost of Payroll Taxes 05:00 How to Negotiate Higher Pay as a 1099 05:44 The Smart Takeaway: Keep More of Your Money #W2vs1099 #TaxStrategy #1099Life #SCorporation #WealthBuilding #FinancialFreedom #TaxTips #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessTips #SelfEmployedTaxes #ContractorTaxes