Locums CME #102 | Health Coverage for Locum Tenens, 2027 Physician Pay and Policy Changes, Locum CRNA Career Paths & More

Editor’s Note

Federal policy developments, evolving technology, and changing career priorities are shaping the decisions physicians face as they look toward 2027. Some are already taking effect, while others remain proposals. Understanding the difference can help clinicians prepare for what lies ahead and make informed decisions.

Professional judgment is another significant theme in this edition of Locums CME. Whether evaluating AI’s role in patient care, managing administrative responsibilities, or deciding how much work to take on, physicians must balance competing demands while maintaining control over their careers and well-being.

The stories in this issue also emphasize the value of having options. From choosing assignments that fit personal schedules to weighing financial opportunities, providers benefit from understanding the trade-offs involved. For some, locum tenens offers the flexibility to make those decisions on their own terms.

– The Locumpedia Editorial Team

Lead Story

The 10 Biggest Federal Policy Threats Facing Physicians in 2027

October 1, 2026 | Medical Economics

The Medical Group Management Association recently outlined federal policy changes that could affect physician compensation, practice operations, and administrative responsibilities next year. Some are still proposals, while others are scheduled to take effect in the coming months. CMS is expected to finalize the 2027 Medicare physician fee schedule in November, with potential implications for reimbursement and practice finances.

Among the developments identified are new payment requirements for certain specialists, modifications to prior authorization processes, and questions about how prepared healthcare organizations and insurers are to implement new rules. Some changes could affect how physicians deliver care or navigate administrative obligations, regardless of their employment arrangements.

Whether practicing locum tenens or considering it, physicians have reason to follow these developments alongside broader shifts in healthcare delivery and reimbursement. Although the impact will vary by specialty and practice setting, understanding the policies shaping the facilities where they work can help clinicians make more informed career and assignment decisions.

Your Locums Prescription

Health Coverage Options for Locum Tenens Physicians: What Every 1099 Should Know

October 6, 2026 | Weatherby Healthcare

Taking on locum work gives physicians more freedom, but it also makes them responsible for many of their own benefits, including health insurance. There are two important updates for locums to know for 2026. Enhanced ACA Marketplace premium tax credits expired after 2025, so some higher-income households no longer qualify and many see higher net premiums. Bronze and catastrophic plans can now be treated as HSA-compatible, with 2026 contribution limits of $4,400 for self-only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage.

Four common coverage bundles for locum tenens providers are essential care, bridge coverage, short-term safety net, and everyday coverage. These are examples rather than fixed packages, and they combine different options, including ACA Marketplace plans, COBRA, employer-based insurance, and supplemental benefits. Physicians should compare them carefully, considering factors such as cost, provider networks, and coverage across assignment locations.

How to Work Locum Tenens During the Holidays and Still Enjoy the Season

September 24, 2026 | IPL Health Staffing

The holiday season is one of the busiest periods for locum tenens coverage. Assignments often carry premium pay, and providers can choose the dates that fit their own plans. Clinicians with a permanent position can also pick up holiday shifts to supplement their income without a longer commitment.

Facilities begin planning holiday coverage well in advance, so providers who share preferred dates with recruiters early have the widest range of options. Mark the dates you can’t work, then share your preferences for location and shift length. Before accepting an assignment, ask about expected hours, patient volume, and on-call requirements. Working during the holidays can be an opportunity to meet year-end financial goals while building a schedule on your terms.

Locum Tenens CRNA Careers: Perspectives on Flexibility, Pay, and Work-Life Balance

September 30, 2026 | Medicus Healthcare Solutions

Many CRNAs picture locum tenens as an all-or-nothing move, but a panel at the AANA Annual Congress illustrated a range of approaches. One couple, both CRNAs, began full-time locum work in 2021 and paid off their student loans in a year. With a baby on the way, one partner now plans to decide when to return to work rather than have that decision dictated by a leave policy. Another CRNA has worked locums alongside a W-2 position for six years, focusing on assignments close to home to earn additional income.

The biggest takeaway from the panel was that no two CRNAs viewed their locum tenens careers the same way. Some wanted flexibility, while others prioritized extra income or new clinical experiences. The role locum tenens plays in a provider’s career is personal, which is why finding the right opportunities starts with understanding individual goals and interests.

AI on Call

• Utah’s Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy introduced new pilots for AI-assisted prescription renewals, acne treatment, and pelvic floor therapy, along with independent evaluators and a physician-led oversight group under the state medical licensing board.
• Six physician organizations, including the AMA, challenged claims about AI’s superiority to physicians after HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reportedly said AI could offer patients a better-informed second opinion than any doctor, warning that such statements undermine physician expertise and patient trust.
• California signed Assembly Bill 1979 on September 30 to protect providers’ ability to exercise professional judgment when using AI or clinical decision-support tools in patient care.

Wellness Retreat

Physician Burnout in 2026: What’s Driving It and What’s Helping

October 8, 2026 | Hayes Locums

Burnout has declined for a fourth consecutive year, but the rate is still above 40%. Physicians keep asking for three things: control over their schedules, less administrative work, and more autonomy in their practices. In one physician survey, paperwork and other nonclinical responsibilities topped the list of burnout drivers, while working too many hours ranked second.

Facilities are addressing these concerns in a few ways, including reducing administrative burden and increasing scheduling flexibility when possible. Lack of respect and professional independence were among the leading contributors to burnout. Some physicians are not waiting for healthcare employers to make changes, instead turning to locum tenens to gain greater control over their schedules.

Self-Sacrifice in Medicine Needs Self-Trust to Balance It

October 6, 2026 | KevinMD

Putting patients’ needs ahead of their own is often praised in medicine until it becomes the default expectation. Stories are often told of doctors taking on extra work with admiration, and the lesson sinks in through repetition. Some sacrifice is part of the job, but the problem is losing the ability to tell when it is actually required.

Over time, being helpful and dependable can become an expectation physicians place on themselves. Medical education teaches little about tolerating discomfort or acting without certainty, both of which are important to developing confidence in one’s own judgment. Self-trust means staying connected to what you know, need, feel, and value while remaining open to the needs of others. Locum tenens is one way clinicians can work toward balancing patient care with their own well-being.

Doctors’ Notes

When an S Corp Saves Taxes and When It Doesn’t

October 10, 2026 | White Coat Investor

Electing S corp status is often presented as a tax-saving strategy for physicians earning 1099 income from locum work. The potential benefit comes mainly from Medicare payroll taxes, which are around 3% for a high earner. Physicians operating through an S corp must pay themselves a reasonable salary based on specialty, locale, and experience. If it’s set too low, the IRS can reclassify distributions and collect unpaid payroll taxes with penalties. Those savings have to be weighed against an annual business return due March 15, payroll processing, and heavier bookkeeping.

If you also have W-2 earnings, such as income from a permanent position, electing to file as an S corp can lead to double payment on Social Security taxes, which can make the election costly. Some states also have S corp fees, so they should be understood before filing. The strategy works best when similar 1099 income is expected for several years. Operating as a sole proprietor is simpler and more cost-effective for many physicians, but filing as an S corp still has potential benefits for locums.

Bridging a Career in Medicine and Venture Capital as a Physician Investor, with Dr. Morgan Cheatham

October 13, 2026 | Physician Side Gigs Podcast

Host Dr. Nisha Mehta talks with Dr. Morgan Cheatham, a partner and head of healthcare and life sciences at Breyer Capital. He rejects the idea that physicians must pursue their careers one step at a time, believing pursuing medicine and investing simultaneously allows his experience in each field to inform the other. He also urges students interested in entrepreneurship, finance, or industry to explore those paths early, before the demands of residency make experimenting harder.

The conversation covers the shift from traditional evidence-based medicine toward precision medicine and N-of-1 care tailored to an individual patient’s genetics and phenotype. They discuss how AI will help transform and accelerate that field. Cheatham explains what he looks for when evaluating healthcare investments, including why he accepts more regulatory or commercial risk when a technology could meaningfully improve the likelihood of a successful treatment. They also address the realities and tradeoffs of practicing medicine, investing, and building companies at the same time.