Copic recognizes that not every physician’s practice follows a traditional full-time schedule. As practice patterns change, some physicians reduce their hours as they transition toward retirement, return from leave, build a new practice, provide occasional coverage, or volunteer on a limited basis. For eligible insureds, Copic’s part-time credits may help align premium costs with a physician’s actual clinical exposure.
5 Real-Life Situations Where Part-Time Coverage May Apply
- Easing into retirement
A physician may want to continue practicing while reducing their schedule to one or two days per week. - Starting a new private practice
A physician may initially see patients only a few days per week while building referral relationships, hiring staff, finalizing payer contracts, or establishing operations. - Returning after leave or a sabbatical
Some physicians gradually resume practice after parental leave, caregiving responsibilities, a sabbatical, or another personal transition. - Providing occasional locum tenens or moonlighting services
A physician with a full-time administrative, academic, or non-clinical role may occasionally provide clinical coverage. Depending on the work arrangement, individual coverage may be needed, or the physician may need to confirm that coverage is provided by the hiring organization. - Volunteering or working in a low-volume clinic
A physician may volunteer at a community clinic, provide care at a health fair, or serve in a charitable medical setting. Even when compensation is minimal or not provided, liability exposure may still exist.
Copic offers part-time discounts for insureds who average fewer than 26 hours of practice per week. When calculating hours, include patient care, charting, rounding, and actual on-call patient care activities. Hours should be averaged over at least one quarter to reflect a consistent practice pattern. If your schedule has changed or you are regularly working fewer hours, it may be a good time to check whether you qualify for a part-time credit.
Contact Copic to Discuss Your Options
For physicians considering part-time practice, please contact your Copic underwriter to discuss the options available. You can find your underwriter on www.copic.com within the Customer Portal after you log in with your username and password. You can also call Copic Customer Support at 720.858.6160 or email us at cu*************@***ic.com.
The information provided herein does not, and is not intended to constitute legal, medical, or other professional advice; instead, this information is for general informational purposes only. The specifics of each state’s laws and the specifics of each circumstance may impact its accuracy and applicability, therefore, the information should not be relied upon for medical, legal, or financial decisions and you should consult an appropriate professional for specific advice that pertains to your situation.
Article originally published in Copic’s Copiscope 3Q26 newsletter.
