Due to the covid pandemic, telemedicine has blown up. At one point due the pandemic, patients were not even able to go in to see their PCPs. Since then, telemedicine restrictions have eased allowing providers licensed in multiple states to treat patients in those given states.
In 2020, my friend had recommended a telemedicine site she was working with per diem. I signed up for it but never actually picked up any shifts. You were paid per visit and I hated sitting around waiting for patients to join. My friend told me sometimes she waited hours without seeing any patients.
Fast forward to 2022, I am planning on cutting back on the amount of time I spend working. I decided to try out telemedicine because it is flexible. I could work from home if I decided to move back full time to Miami, Florida, or if I decided to travel abroad for fun.
Fortunately, I found a Telemedicine company that pays per shift instead of per visit. So if I am signed up for an 8 hour shift, I am paid hourly even if no patients are seen. They also pay a differential per state being covered. For example, the most states we can cover at a time is 4 states. For each additional state after the first one, I am paid an extra $10/h for covering that state. Thus, my hourly pay ranges from $60-$100/hour.
The job itself is straightforward. These are urgent care visits that last several minutes. Patients are so appreciative to get their medical treatment from the comfort of their home vs having to wait hours at an urgent care. Some examples of reasons for visits include pink eye, cold symptoms, rash, or UTI.
I have really enjoyed the telemedicine experience because it is flexible, so I can pick up as little to as many shifts as I want. The visits are pretty easy and I like to help patients with the convenience. My favorite part is that I am able to multi-task while covering telemedicine.
While waiting for patients to check in, I monitor the screen on my laptop, and do other things. For example, I take care of house chores or work on my blog. I read or watch a TV show. So technically, it’s like getting paid to do my activities of daily living.
The only challenge of working telemedicine is that there can at times be some technical difficulties. It’s important to be computer savy and patient with these hiccups.
My telemedicine company has a contract with amazon, providing services to their employees. They require one-week training which I do not have the time for right now. If I decide to pursue telemedicine full time, I will definitely pursue the amazon opportunity at a later date. This would guarantee me more shifts if needed.
Practicing telemedicine is a positive experience and I recommend that everyone dabble in it at some point.
I have been considering telemedicine as an income option to mix in with travel nursing. I receive a lot of solicitations from various telemedicine employers. I do have the time for an orientation if needed. Which company are you referring to and have you looked into other telemedicine agencies?
I’d love to know which company you have been working with! I did Urgent Care through Covid and we did a good bit of telemedicine for a while. Looking for something to do PRN and would love to look into this more.
What companies do you recommend? I have read about several telemedicine companies however, they don’t get aid unless they are actually seeing someone. I’m searching for a company that will pay hourly. I’m currently working from home on a contract and would like to continue once this is completed.
Thank you…. I have multiple states, what states do you recommend. I have FL, CA and NYC. Looking to add maybe 2 more.
Hi Sophia,
We’ve have ‘talked’ in the past. I am currently on my first ‘sleep away’ LT position. I think of you every day – how i want to be you when i grow up! Since i am on the downward side of working, this gig is great. I live in the north ATL suburbs, and am in Crossville TN. I just drove back up here about an hour ago. Since I work Saturday mornings, I’ve cut back to driving home every other weekend, due to the traffic I hit, that increases my drive time from 3.5 to 4.5 hrs.
The people at the practice are great, as are the patients. I am a PNP, and find the patient’s to be so appreciative of the care I give. I’ve only been here 3.5 weeks, but have already seen other kids in the families – so the patients are requesting me. So much nicer than working in ATL! I quit my scheduled 3 day/week in July, since we bought a canal house in Merritt Island, FL, and I did not want to have to do so much arranging to have at most, 4 days off. I’ve been filling in at a Pediatric UC center, where I initially worked as a locums about 2 years ago. I work that schedule to allow me to stay in FL up to 1 month at times. Usually though, its 2.5 weeks. My husband is an IT contractor, so works from where-ever, so he’s down there more than me.
i think I found the Physician on fire group from a post of yours. I follow that, and recently watched a post with video fromLT.com on taxes and deductions we can take as LT’s. I’ve worked 2 gigs in ATL, so i was able to go home, so I only deducted mileage. I’ve been reading so much, that now I’m comfortable deducting my medical insurance, DEA, TN license, certification, Epocrates program, etc. Of course, I always deducted licenses and certification, but now I have GA, TN, and FL licenses.
I have also been looking at the telehealth jobs, but being a PNP only, there is not much call for me.
Good luck with doing TH if it allows you to live your life on your terms. That is what I am currently doing, and love it!
I just have to decide what to do at the end of the contract. I signed for 2/15-3/31. The practice signed with the LT company for 2/15 through ‘the end of April’. They rented me a gorgeous lake-front 2 bd/2 bath condo, which they have reserved through 4/20. Last week, the administrator gave me a page that shows what they are paying for me per hour. $!30 vs the $70 I’m getting. So.. Do I hold my recruiter up for more money to work until 4/20, if so for how much?!! He will have to realize he will get no money vs a tiny bit less per hour, to make me happy enough to stay!
Decisions, decisions. Your input is greatly appreciated!
Karen
Who do you use or recommend to do your taxes? We’ve had a CPA for years, who has decided to do only Dental practices.
Hey sounds good! Definitely ask for more $$ to extend. I used to have a CPA but ended up doing my taxes myself because I learned all of the loopholes. You can do it! The tax software these days guide you pretty easily
Thanks for your reply. I was actually thinking of buying the Intuit for self employed people. It seems pretty thorough. After our old CPA charged us $850 for a pretty straight forward return – we were both all W2, no funky deductions, I decided no mas! Then he went to all Dental practices, so now I have to do plan B.
take care,
Karem