1. Why HSAs Make Sense for Locum Tenens Providers in 2025

If you’re bouncing between assignments or just like to keep your finances as flexible as your schedule, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are worth a second look. Paired with a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), an HSA gives you triple tax benefits: contributions are deductible, growth is tax-free, and qualified medical expenses won’t get taxed when you withdraw.

In 2025, individual providers can contribute up to $4,300, families up to $8,550, and those 55+ can throw in an extra $1,000. Unlike FSAs, these accounts roll over every year and stay with you, even when your gig changes.

Many locum tenens physicians and clinicians use their HSAs for long-term investing, adding mutual funds or ETFs into the mix. Just ensure you’re enrolled in a qualifying HDHP and don’t have any conflicting coverage. If your healthcare needs are minimal and your income fluctuates, HSAs can be a smart complement to other retirement accounts, such as Solo 401(k)s or SEP IRAs.

(The Doctor’s CPA, July 15)

2. Asset Protection for Physicians Doesn’t Need To Be Complicated

Forget offshore trusts and obscure legal maneuvers. For most physicians, the best asset protection plan starts with good insurance and wise personal choices. The White Coat Investor breaks it down: divorce, not malpractice, is often the biggest financial risk. Prioritize relationships, consider prenups, and, of course, carry adequate umbrella and malpractice coverage.

From there, lean into simple strategies. Titling property as “tenants by the entirety” (where available), maxing out retirement contributions, and using LLCs for rental properties can all help shield your assets. A few states offer domestic asset protection trusts, but they’re pricey and only worth it if they fit your estate planning goals.

Skip the flashy stuff, like stealth wealth, whole life insurance, and offshore setups, unless your situation truly calls for it. For locum tenens providers juggling variable income, the best approach is a steady and informed one that avoids unnecessary risks.

(The White Coat Investor, July 13)

3. Why Are Fewer Physicians Planning to Leave Their Jobs?

According to 2024 data from the AMA, only 32% of physicians plan to leave their organizations in the next two years, down from 36% in 2023. Dermatology and infectious disease providers were least likely to jump ship, while anesthesiologists and vascular surgeons led the “most likely to leave” list.

What’s helping? More efficient workflows, better pay, and reduced documentation. Still, 35% of surveyed physicians said they plan to cut back hours over the next year.

Organizations like Advocate Health and Sutter Health are doubling down on retention: better onboarding, leadership development, and culture-focused initiatives are starting to pay off. However, the AMA emphasizes that there’s still work to be done, particularly in addressing staffing and EHR challenges.

(American Medical Association, June 24)

4. Why Healthcare AI Still Needs Stronger Validation Standards

AI tools are spreading fast in healthcare, but most are being judged by their sales demos rather than their clinical outcomes. Pelu Tran, CEO of Ferrum Health, says FDA clearance doesn’t guarantee effectiveness in real-world settings. And he’s not wrong: an RSNA study found that 81% of AI models underperformed on external datasets.

Right now, even minor software updates require new approvals as if AI is a static device, not a learning system. States are creating their own AI rules, adding confusion. That leaves hospitals to vet tools themselves, which can jeopardize patient safety.

Tran suggests what’s needed: ongoing validation, diverse population testing, shared registries, and centralized infrastructure that tracks performance across sites. Until then, don’t be dazzled by AI hype. Instead, ask how it will be monitored and measured after going live.

(Healthcare IT News, July 9)

5. Why Perfectionism and Self-Sacrifice Are Burning Out Women Physicians

Perfectionism, people-pleasing, and relentless self-sacrifice: These traits help women physicians succeed in training, but they can backfire fast in today’s healthcare climate. Shorter visits, increased patient messages, and staffing gaps are pushing even the most driven clinicians toward burnout.

The fix should be about recalibrating these strengths in a way that’s healthier for physicians. For example, excellence should still be the goal, but not at the expense of rest, boundaries, or self-respect. Saying no, delegating, and tuning out that inner critic are just as critical as clinical acumen.

By shifting their mindset and protecting their energy, women physicians can preserve the passion that led them into medicine without burning out along the way

(KevinMD, July 12)

6. Physician Burnout Isn’t Personal, and It Isn’t Just Healthcare’s Problem

Emergency physician Dr. Leigh Vinocur is sounding the alarm: burnout is structural, not personal, and the forces driving it are showing up in other industries. Think relentless admin tasks, productivity pressure, and a culture that rewards overwork while punishing vulnerability.

More than 90% of emergency physicians report being threatened or attacked on the job. Add on prior auths, staffing shortages, and a stigma around asking for help, and you’ve got a crisis with real mental health fallout, especially for women.

Dr. Vinocur’s solution? Trauma-informed leadership and system-wide accountability. Protecting workers isn’t about boosting “resilience.” It’s about building safer, saner workplaces for everyone.

(Fast Company, July 2)

7. Experts Say $50 Billion Rural Health Fund Falls Short Amid Medicaid Cuts

A new $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program was signed into law this July 2025, but experts say it barely dents the nearly $1 trillion in projected Medicaid cuts over the next decade. With over 300 rural hospitals already at risk of closing, the math doesn’t inspire confidence.

Half of the fund will be distributed to states that submit plans by December 31. The other half will be allocated at the discretion of CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, based on factors like hospital need and rural population.

Critics argue that the goals of increasing access, upgrading technology, and enhancing partnerships are unclear. Without meaningful Medicaid support, rural providers face tough choices: service cuts, job losses, or disappearing altogether. One analyst summed it up: “People think it’s a Medicaid issue. It’s a rural survival issue.”

(PBS, July 10)