Physician Free Agency
For physicians
You are the asset.Own your future.
I help doctors go independent. I’m living proof there’s a way beyond insurance companies and big medicine—a way to own your work, reclaim your life, and build financial freedom.
Request a call with ScottI chose independence.
I’ve owned and sold a practice, trained physicians, and served in hospital leadership.
After leaving employed medicine and doing locums work, I built my own practice, Vasectomy King.
Now I control my schedule, my overhead, and how I practice. I want you to be the master of your own domain, too.
It’s the purest form of medicine I have ever practiced.
I want to hear your story, what you want to do, and how I can help you take control.
Tell Scott your story.
Share where you are and what you want to change.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about going independent.
Scott Donaldson, MD, on leaving employed medicine, building a practice, and owning your work.
Request a call with ScottLeaving employed medicine
Did you really tell your CEO to go F*** himself?
Yes. The hospital attorney was present. I knew the CEO well: we met every week, I had been chief of staff, and I had been to his house.
When did you know it was time to leave, and why did you wait?
About two years before that conversation. Why did it take so long? Bills to pay, a family to feed, a mortgage—the usual stuff. It was complex.
What was the problem with hospital employment for you?
Golden handcuffs. I felt owned. If you’re happy in employed medicine, be happy. For me, the best part of self-employment is freedom. I’d rather make less money and own myself than be owned by someone else.
What was your initial plan, and what was the downside?
My initial plan was locums. The money was good, but it was lonely. I was prepared to face that loneliness. I wasn’t prepared to stay in a hospital-employed model where I felt owned.
Building an independent practice
Who is the Vasectomy King model for?
Doctors doing locums who want a niche private practice, existing practices that want to bring in more vasectomy business, and physicians looking for part-time work or a way to expand an existing practice.
It may also be worth exploring whether a 1099 arrangement, locums, or a combination of work could fit your situation. Have your own agreement reviewed before making plans around outside work.
What if I’m retired or close to retirement?
You already have experience. This could be a fit if you want to keep practicing on a smaller scale, earn some extra money, and get out of the house. Let me show you how I’ve simplified my own practice.
How does a surgical background help?
A surgical background helps. Sewing skin is one thing; handling tissue and performing a vasectomy while talking with an awake patient is another.
If you’re not a surgeon, there may be other ways to build independent work. Let’s talk about what fits your skills.
Do you have employees?
Barely. Bringing more people into a practice adds complexity, and I like to keep that to a minimum.
What was the hardest part of moving to direct pay?
Asking for money. Once I got used to asking patients to pay directly, it wasn’t a big deal. In my experience, it changed the relationship for the better.
Why would patients pay directly instead of using insurance?
People will pay to be well treated. I focus on getting patients in and out, making the experience personal, and being available myself. I answer the phone.
A deductible can be a significant expense. Depending on the patient’s coverage and alternatives, paying directly may cost less out of pocket. People value privacy and direct access to their doctor, too.
Money, commitments, and the next step
Do you make more money now than when you were employed?
For me, it’s a toss-up on the money side, but I only work two days a week. If I need more money, I do locums.
What if I have debt, a mortgage, and children in school?
Those commitments are real. They were part of why it took me so long to leave. One option to explore is combining locums with a fee-based vasectomy practice. Whether the numbers work depends on your own expenses, opportunities, and practice.
What about health insurance?
I buy my own. It’s an expense, but I didn’t want health insurance to keep me in a job I wanted to leave.
Price coverage for your own situation, and ask your accountant which costs may qualify for deductions.
What if I have a noncompete or restrictions on outside work?
Have an attorney review your specific agreement and the rules that apply where you practice. Get clear on what is enforceable and what restrictions apply before making a move.
Isn’t going independent a big risk?
Yes. We all have debts, families, and responsibilities. For me, the question was what independence and control of my own work were worth. You have to decide that for yourself.
Why are you offering this?
Call me. I’ll tell you.
