If you are a Texas physician working as a locum tenens, you are not alone. By some estimates, there are over 50,000 physicians working as locum tenens across the United States and the market for locum tenens is expected to grow at 6% annually.
Independent But Not Alone
As an independent contractor, you don’t have access to an employer’s group benefits package. It is your responsibility to provide your own insurance. However, being independent doesn’t mean being alone. At TMA Insurance Trust we help all physicians in Texas, including locum tenens, to get the insurance protection they need.
Protecting Your Income
As a physician, you see firsthand the disabling effects of injury and serious illness. For a moment, imagine if you were the patient. What would happen to your finances if suddenly you were unable to work? Disability insurance can help replace most of that lost income.
TMA Insurance Trust wants you to have the income protection you deserve. We can help you secure coverage whether you are a Texas Medical Association member or not. However, if you are a member, you are eligible for exclusive, members-only discounts and plan options that are not available anywhere else. You may find these savings more than offset the cost of membership.
Protecting Your Health
Finding affordable, quality health insurance is another major concern for most locum tenens physicians. TMA Insurance Trust advisors can help you shop for the coverage you need. Our advisors can help you secure short term plans and major medical plans. However the options available to you will depend on your situation.
If you left an employer to become a locum tenens physician, you may qualify for a special enrollment period. To qualify, you must have lost employer coverage within the past 60 days. Once the 60-day deadline passes, you may have to wait until the next open enrollment period to sign up for major medical coverage. Health insurance open enrollment runs from November 1 to December 15 each year.
If you have or establish an LLC, you may be eligible for PPO health insurance. Partnership documentation and the company’s Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) are required. If you meet these requirements, speak to one of our advisors for more information about "group of one" health insurance options.
If none of these options apply to you, you might consider short term health insurance. Short term plans can provide some protection, but also have serious limitations. Most short-term plans don’t cover preexisting conditions or routine preventative care and other essential benefits. These plans can leave you with significant out of pocket costs.
Our Advisors Are Ready to Help
You don’t have to face these decisions alone. Our licensed, experienced advisors are standing by ready to help with your disability and health insurance questions. TMA Insurance Trust values the service locum tenens provide. We want you to have the protection you deserve. Contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation.
For over 60 years, TMA Insurance Trust advisors have been serving Texas physicians, their families and staff. TMA Insurance Trust prides itself on offering unbiased information and strategies to members, along with exclusive group rates on a range of the highest-rated plans in the industry.
