What does "mommy track" pay?

[pgg]

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The biggest issue for full time 1099 work is healthcare insurance for a family. There are not a lot of options besides the ACA exchange if your spouse doesn't have healthcare through his/her employer. Some 1099 anesthesiologists are paying $4k per month for a family plan via the exchange with a large deductible like $10,000.

True

If I didn't like my current group so much, and I could put up with living in a hotel, I'd do full time locums. As retired military my Tricare premiums are, well, I'm not even sure what they are. A couple hundred $ per year?

 

[Simba1711]

If I do leave my job, what is an appropriate notice to give ? I don’t have a clause in my contract and it’s academics. I’m used to 3 month notice in previous contracts

 

[SRYSPAC]

If I do leave my job, what is an appropriate notice to give ? I don’t have a clause in my contract and it’s academics. I’m used to 3 month notice in previous contracts

It's generally 90 days; if you don't want to burn bridges, make your end date at the end of the latest call schedule that has been made available, if you are in a call-taking position.

 

[SRYSPAC]

The biggest issue for full time 1099 work is healthcare insurance for a family. There are not a lot of options besides the ACA exchange if your spouse doesn't have healthcare through his/her employer. Some 1099 anesthesiologists are paying $4k per month for a family plan via the exchange with a large deductible like $10,000.

Yes, but that is one day of locums work and it's a write off. Expensive, but an alternate take is that the plans you can purchase are often better than the crappy CIGNA/United plans offered by employers.

 

[aneftp]

Yes, but that is one day of locums work and it's a write off. Expensive, but an alternate take is that the plans you can purchase are often better than the crappy CIGNA/United plans offered by employers.

The ACA marketplace is really screwy. I’ve tried to explained my absolute hatred of Obamacare and it’s one of the main reasons

Unlike most big employer plans where if u have 1 kid or 10 kids. A family plan is the same cost with the employer.

But on the ACA marketplace. The more people who have on ur plan. The costlier it becomes ….unsubsidized.

And the ACA marketplace network is often times not as good even for the look a like Aetna United plans ur standard large employer has. And the off brands insurers networks are even worse

So you are a ton more for less coverage. Now if u are pretty healthy. The lower quality network coverage may not matter. My older colleague has ckd stage 4 , almost stage 5. mayo jax is not even in network with a $3600/month plan he looked at for his family of 4. And mayo jax specializes in transplants. (And livers)

As for overall price. I guess if u make 800k. Paying 40k won’t matter much for healthcare especially if it’s a tax write off. But if u are dropping down to mommy track and planning to make 300k and still paying 40k. It’s gonna to matter.

 

[SRYSPAC]

The ACA marketplace is really screwy. I’ve tried to explained my absolute hatred of Obamacare and it’s one of the main reasons

Unlike most big employer plans where if u have 1 kid or 10 kids. A family plan is the same cost with the employer.

But on the ACA marketplace. The more people who have on ur plan. The costlier it becomes ….unsubsidized.

And the ACA marketplace network is often times not as good even for the look a like Aetna United plans ur standard large employer has. And the off brands insurers networks are even worse

So you are a ton more for less coverage. Now if u are pretty healthy. The lower quality network coverage may not matter. My older colleague has ckd stage 4 , almost stage 5. mayo jax is not even in network with a $3600/month plan he looked at for his family of 4. And mayo jax specializes in transplants. (And livers)

As for overall price. I guess if u make 800k. Paying 40k won’t matter much for healthcare especially if it’s a tax write off. But if u are dropping down to mommy track and planning to make 300k and still paying 40k. It’s gonna to matter.

What's the financial/psychological/long term health benefit of working zero nights/weekends/holidays/past 5 PM?

I have 26 weeks of locums on the books so far next year at around $550K; $40K meh and I will work per diem on top of that at home

It's not the $50K per week you always seem to get, but I'm pretty happy where I stand and I never take call.

 

[Lab Lover]

What's the financial/psychological/long term health benefit of working zero nights/weekends/holidays/past 5 PM?

I have 26 weeks of locums on the books so far next year at around $550K; $40K meh and I will work per diem on top of that at home

It's not the $50K per week you always seem to get, but I'm pretty happy where I stand and I never take call.

Depends on the individual. I know a two docs who are 60+ and outwork almost anybody else...including nights and weekends. One is miserable but would be even more miserable if he didn't do it. He literally has nothing else in life. The other is a "healthy" workaholic who truly is happiest at work and requires little rest.

 

[SRYSPAC]

Depends on the individual. I know a two docs who are 60+ and outwork almost anybody else...including nights and weekends. One is miserable but would be even more miserable if he didn't do it. He literally has nothing else in life. The other is a "healthy" workaholic who truly is happiest at work and requires little rest.

I should have just said that the cost of a $4K private policy from the exchange means little when doing what you like pays well, and you are OK with your setup, whether it involves call or not. Mine happens to not require it, but I know there are folks that enjoy or don't mind working nights. I would argue that the MAJORITY of us don't enjoy working weekends/holidays/past 5/7/etc PM? I'm not talking about the outlier < 1% worklaholic (or 5% or whatever the true number is)

I should't assume people on this forum can read between the lines.

 

[caligas]

So our group policy is like $30k for family, fortunately we get it much cheaper with wife’s job.

…So you guys are telling me if she quits and I go 1099, it’s gonna cost us $50k/yr?

 

[aneftp]

So our group policy is like $30k for family, fortunately we get it much cheaper with wife’s job.

…So you guys are telling me if she quits and I go 1099, it’s gonna cost us $50k/yr?

Exchange rates vary on states requirements as well

Yes u are looking at around 40k with lower deductible. Or 25k with super high deductibles
And check the network of providers that these insurance companies on the exchange contract out with.

They are not the same network as a big employer network. So Aetna u see on the exchange at $3000/month often as a much worse network as an Aetna ur wife company pays $2000/month for (unsubsidized) (ur wife probably pays $500/month? Subsidized

 

[caligas]

Exchange rates vary on states requirements as well

Yes u are looking at around 40k with lower deductible. Or 25k with super high deductibles
And check the network of providers that these insurance companies on the exchange contract out with.

They are not the same network as a big employer network. So Aetna u see on the exchange at $3000/month often as a much worse network as an Aetna ur wife company pays $2000/month for (unsubsidized) (ur wife probably pays $500/month? Subsidized

Uggh what a $hit show

 

[ERRES2288]

These rates are crazy..I’m hospital employed academics and my 2k individual/4k family high deductible family plan is 260/month and they contribute 2k to hsa.

 

[aneftp]

Uggh what a $hit show

This is why I keep going back and forth with staunch liberals who keep defending the ACA. The exchanges have become so unaffordable for unsubsidized paying customers unless they are making bank like we are.

It's all about the 8% rule with the exchanges and 400% of poverty. Those are the two key numbers written into the original law. If you make more than 400% of poverty, you are pretty much screwed because the way the ACA was written was no one making over 400% of poverty gets any subsidy. That means a family of 4 making around 120K a year would be paying upwards to 40K a year in UNSUBSIDIZED healthcare. Of course the more than you make, the less you are impacted. Biden temporarily made those subsidies extend to even higher income earners and also made "enhanced" subsidies to lower income earners.

Was this a good idea? Depends how you look at it. I see it as ZERO incentive for insurers to control cost. Because they know the feds will keep subsidizing it.

But hey it's great when we all are making 500k-1 million since we barely feel the impact? Who cares? right?

It is simply crazy when COBRA is a better option than the ACA marketplace for affordable healthcare.

"Strategies for FIRE retirees

• Model higher healthcare costs: Due to the expected lapse of enhanced ACA subsidies and reduced funding, FIRE retirees should factor substantially higher healthcare premium and out-of-pocket costs into their financial models for 2026 and beyond.
• Optimize tax strategy for ACA subsidies (2025 only): For the remainder of 2025, early retirees should still be mindful of their Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). By controlling their income to stay below certain thresholds, they can maximize the ACA subsidies still in effect for this year. However, this strategy will be less effective in 2026 when enhanced subsidies are expected to end.
• Re-evaluate ACA vs. COBRA: With ACA premium hikes looming in 2026, those losing employer-sponsored coverage should compare the cost of a marketplace plan with the option of continuing their employer's plan via COBRA. COBRA is often expensive but might be a better value depending on the plan"

"

 

[aneftp]

These rates are crazy..I’m hospital employed academics and my 2k individual/4k family high deductible family plan is 260/month and they contribute 2k to hsa.

I pay less than $200 a month with zero deductible and $20/40 co pay and $100 ER visits with my employer plan. Aetna PPO.

If I were to lose it or switch jobs. I"m looking at $2600/month with a $6000 deductible on the exchanges for my family and max out of pocket of 13000. I might as well pay the cobra option at $2000 with zero deducible for 18 months.

 

[aneftp]

I just looked at severa ads. 450k/10 weeks off. No calls no weekends. Option to work 7-3 (5 days) or 7-5p (4 days) plus benefits.

But than I asked a couple of the moms I know and they want more flexibility.

Seriously ha ha.

The mommy track is a catch phrase that keeps morphing.

 

[aneftp]

Serious question. Does anyone actually work 15 weekdays in a row at least 7-3p (maybe get lucky and sent home a little early 1-2pm on light days)

Like 5 days in a row 7-2pm as a w2?

No weekends , no nights.

I have access to probably 20 qgenda schedules.

Just browsing November qgenda. I count ZERO we docs (or crnas) who are w2 working 15 straight weekdays. The only ones on the schedule 5 days a week are full 1099 locums who have incentive to work.

I just think the times have changed. People’s mindset have changed. The mommy track does not exist in this day and age.

 

[Lab Lover]

Serious question. Does anyone actually work 15 weekdays in a row at least 7-3p (maybe get lucky and sent home a little early 1-2pm on light days)

Like 5 days in a row 7-2pm as a w2?

No weekends , no nights.



I just think the times have changed. People’s mindset have changed. The mommy track does not exist in this day and age.

In overserved markets schedules like this still exist.

 

[CopaceticOne]

Serious question. Does anyone actually work 15 weekdays in a row at least 7-3p (maybe get lucky and sent home a little early 1-2pm on light days)

Like 5 days in a row 7-2pm as a w2?

No weekends , no nights.

I have access to probably 20 qgenda schedules.

Just browsing November qgenda. I count ZERO we docs (or crnas) who are w2 working 15 straight weekdays. The only ones on the schedule 5 days a week are full 1099 locums who have incentive to work.

I just think the times have changed. People’s mindset have changed. The mommy track does not exist in this day and age.

Many academic systems in the upper Midwest at locations not their flagship hospital.

 

[aneftp]

Many academic systems in the upper Midwest at locations not their flagship hospital.

You are Correct! Generally state/large institution funded positions. Forgot about them.

 

[amyl]

Our day docs have that schedule sometimes- they’re 6ish to 3ish 5 days a week but they get 25 weeks vacation so they don’t usually do three weeks in a row but it does happen

 

[Dantrolene FC]

Our day docs have that schedule sometimes- they’re 6ish to 3ish 5 days a week but they get 25 weeks vacation so they don’t usually do three weeks in a row but it does happen

What do they get paid for that schedule?

 

[CopaceticOne]

What do they get paid for that schedule?

With a paycheck 😉

 

[aneftp]

What do they get paid for that schedule?

Amy mentioned it was $400k for 28 weeks of work

5 days a week for 28 weeks of work. 25 weeks off.

45 hrs on average plus hospital benefits.

 

[amyl]

Yup. We will probably hire someone end of next year in that spot to fill in for an anticipated retirement-

 

[We'llBeDoneIn15Minutes]

How would you rate this job. Solo. 350/hr 8 hour guaranteed for 8 hours and 4 days Week. OT is same 350. 1099. Have to pay for own health and malpractice sound ?

I’m hesitant to post here since everybody seems to make 99 percentile.

That sounds pretty damn awesome to me. 4 day bankers hours work week, say 7 weeks vacation, and still over half a million. Sign me the fudge up.

I'll take my modest house with plenty of lot space and privacy, older fun cars I still enjoy driving, no second homes, plentiful skiing and time off, no call/nights/weekends/or long work weeks... and you (the rich guys) can keep your 800k or whatever yearly bag and all the toys bells and whistles you want. Just depends on the person and what they prioritize.

 

[We'llBeDoneIn15Minutes]

U can be like me work 100 hrs and still pickup kids , go to their awards ceremony, baseball games, tennis, cheer. I don’t recall any missed events. I even swing deals for someone to cover me for 3 hrs to go to their events. And I pay them back.

U make time. I literally got off the plane last night from 4.5 day quick Italy trip, worked for 6 hrs this morning (I was first out) and ran both kids carpools in the afternoon. That’s how u make time. The sahm moms are all drunk at the country club early and thanked me. Early Friday drinking in the neighborhood.

I have a colleague who complains about time. Says they will never get time back as the old saying goes.

Well u can always make time. Guy got his 6 year old twins bday party in Miami at 12pm. Got him 11k cash to do Sunday 24 hr call beeper. All guaranteed. Straight cash homie. Got him another $5500 beeper to take call Friday night (tonight) for 10 hrs. He didn’t want to do it. He could have worked (highly unlikely to work more than 1-2 hrs tonight). Driven to Miami at 10am for kids bday with baby mamma #2. Driven back up early Sunday to take call 2 hrs away. He’s got EV that can self drive him also even with his sleep apnea. He’s worried about falling asleep at the wheel. Sometimes u get lucky and put sunglasses on. The in cabin camera doesn’t detect if you are asleep with sunglasses on . It detects head movement more. This dude needs to make 850k just to break even with his 5 kids and 2 baby mammas and 3 homes one in north Florida one in south Florida and another home in Georgia. He needs the money.

Full time w2 Military doc who has his own mommy track govt anesthesia job (govt pays when he’s deployed or has training weekends) who does side gigs took those two calls the other doc didn’t want. He’s got 3 kids of his own. Someone always takes the cash. I seriously don’t know why this place is throwing cash left and right but we will ride the gravy train!

So u can do it all when u are full time or daddy doc and not miss a beat. There are many ways to the end game.

Now u may be dead sooner with one method over the other method. That’s another subject.

Ain't nobody making time on a 100 hr work week. Actually, according to Newton nobody is making time, period, as time can neither be created nor destroyed. Or was it matter? 🤔 Whatever, same difference.

 

[NPJR]

Amy mentioned it was $400k for 28 weeks of work

5 days a week for 28 weeks of work. 25 weeks off.

45 hrs on average plus hospital benefits.

That much is not common. Frankly RARE. I just did napkin math and I got 308k.

 

[We'llBeDoneIn15Minutes]

Been building my own “daddy track” life as a 1099 — working locally, around 40 hours a week at $325–$350/hr which is the going rate around here... Planning for about 8 weeks off a year and averaging around $570k. The flexibility’s been awesome — no calls, no weekends, and most days I’m out early and I'm on my wife's health insurance so there's that 🙂 When I interviewed around before doing solo 1099, most gigs paying 350 to 450k as ASC daytime work 6 weeks off. I'm doing much better than that being by myself. Laughable offers from these groups.

Sounds like my hustling days after leaving academics. Now just part time prn.

 

[aneftp]

That much is not common. Frankly RARE. I just did napkin math and I got 308k.

It’s South Carolina! And hospital employed. The hospital figures it’s cheaper to pay that than hire locums. Which is true.

 

[Dantrolene FC]

Amy mentioned it was $400k for 28 weeks of work

5 days a week for 28 weeks of work. 25 weeks off.

45 hrs on average plus hospital benefits.

Sign me up

 

[cchoukal]

Ain't nobody making time on a 100 hr work week. Actually, according to Newton nobody is making time, period, as time can neither be created nor destroyed. Or was it matter? 🤔 Whatever, same difference.

a lot of his hours are beeper call paid at working hourly rates.

 

[aneftp]

a lot of his hours are beeper call paid at working hourly rates.

Correct. I should say i have 100 billable hours. The beeper rate is the hourly rate. I do work. The 1-3am cases suck. Sometimes get lucky and not have to work. It’s all a gamble. But our time is very valuable.

 

[caligas]

Anyone able to get group health premium rates with a locums agency if you work regularly for them?

 

[2Fast2Des]

How far do you drive? Do you stay overnight?

I drive up to an hour radius from my house, trying to keep everything in less than that so I don't lose my mind driving so much. I have Tesla FSD subscription so that's been making the driving more tolerable for sure! I don't do any calls or weekends right now, since I have young kids and I want/my wife wants me home so she gets a break as well.

 

[2Fast2Des]

This is like my "avoid migraine" track with 1 week a month locums in Texas. I'm single, but I stopped taking call, and that got rid of one cause of migraines. I tell 2 groups which days I want to work or not work, and I can take whatever days I want to off to get stuff done. I work until 430ish with one job, I can work a half day until 12ish (often earlier) or a full day (until about the latest 3) with another.

That's awesome! Do you actually tell them that you will work until 12? Or you just happen to finish around then? And you get an 8hr guarantee?

 

[2Fast2Des]

I find this one pretty fun

570k 1099 especially with healthcare taken care of. Is really worth 100k more than a w2 job (if married)

I know that sounds funny to some people. But we all know the tax games as 1099.

So ur 570k is the same as a 670k w2 job.

I read that for a 1099 job to be equivalent to a W2, 1099 pay would have to be 20 or 30 percent more than W2 to make it more financially sensible taking into account more taxes with 1099. From what I understand tax savings as 1099 is about 8 to 10% compared to w2

 

[aneftp]

I read that for a 1099 job to be equivalent to a W2, 1099 pay would have to be 20 or 30 percent more than W2 to make it more financially sensible taking into account more taxes with 1099. From what I understand tax savings as 1099 is about 8 to 10% compared to w2

Depends how aggressive u want to be

Let’s say u have a college age kid (so dont have to worry about the kiddie tax for kids under age 18)

U pay them a min salary from the business 25k.

U pay fica 15.6% taxes on that 25k for the adult age kid. Seems wasteful right?

But if u have that money flow right back to u. U will get nailed with 37% taxes on ur personal taxes . So by paying the adult age kid 25k. U immediately save 22% on 1099 taxes just with that maneuver. The kid than put 23k into his own 401k Roth or whatever u want. And with standard deductions being 14-15k for singles. He barleys pays any federal taxes.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Mickey Mouse stuff basics 1099 stuff people do

People can get creative and do section 181 movie deductions. There are land deals u can deduct.

This one doc who made 1.3 million pay 7% effective taxes on his 1099 indemnity

A w2 effective tax rate on the same 1.3 million would be closer to 30%. That’s a significant difference

The more 1099 u make. The less u will pay in effects taxes compared to w2.

Now if u make 200k 1099 vs 200k w2 as marred person. U likely won’t see much of a tax savings especially if the w2 benefits like Heath care are factored in. But once u start getting into the higher numbers 600-700k and up and use the tax game your advantage. U will see how much 1099 saves u. Because that 40k self employed healthcare on the ACA exchanges matter a lot less at 800k 1099. Vs 300k 1099.

 

[JoelJoel84]

Depends how aggressive u want to be

Let’s say u have a college age kid (so dont have to worry about the kiddie tax for kids under age 18)

U pay them a min salary from the business 25k.

What exactly are you paying each of your college age kids a $25k salary for, while doing some locums shifts at a nearby hospital

 

[aneftp]

What exactly are you paying each of your college age kids a $25k salary for, while doing some locums shifts at a nearby hospitalI

My kids are 13/15. I don’t pay them.

I paid my spouse.

For those with adult age college kids almost every self employed person (doesn have to be medical). Business owners pay their kids some bs salary

This is common practice regardless of profession

Thus no sacret. The super agent pays his 19 year old college kid 30k to be his “chief digital marketing “ employee. His kid ain’t doing jack. Buy him a 85k low level amg Mercedes. Obviously that’s a business expense as well….sure.

 

[Ashers]

That's awesome! Do you actually tell them that you will work until 12? Or you just happen to finish around then? And you get an 8hr guarantee?

there are half day shifts and full day shifts. Half days end at 12ish, full days end at 3ish. Each can end much earlier. I've had a full day shift with 2 patients, and I got paid for the full day. There is overtime pay as well if it goes over the scheduled time block. If I get canceled because there are no cases, I stay available until 9am in case someone calls in sick, and I can go cover, and I get the scheduled shift's pay (it's happened twice for full days). If I want the day off after getting canceled and no chance of getting called in, I don't get paid.

Edit: I should add, that my other job cases finish around 3, and they're typically out of the PACU by 4ish, but I've been out much earlier too, and I have a pay guarantee for the day. But the one job with 2 options has options for a full day and half day. I like working half days -- especially on Friday.