Inside The Doctor's Lounge

Physician Side Gigs
  • 4.2 (13)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

Inside the Doctor’s Lounge is a podcast by the Physician Side Gigs team, hosted by Dr. Nisha Mehta, which showcases popular topics from our online communities of over 220,000 physicians. We interview clinicians, healthcare innovators, and other experts about health innovation, entrepreneurship, things somebody probably should’ve taught us in medical school, and other topics that impact the future of healthcare.

  1. 4d ago

    Fighting Physician Pay Cuts: Modifier 25 and Beyond, with Dr. Aaron Broadwell

    In this episode, Dr. Nisha Mehta is joined by Dr. Aaron Broadwell, rheumatologist and President of the Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations (CSRO), to discuss the dangers of the proposed changes to payments for same-day E&M services and procedures in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. They also dig deep into not just how to advocate against it, but broaden the discussion about making the overall pot for physician compensation bigger rather than pitting physician specialties against each other. They discuss: What CMS is proposing for Modifier 25 compensation changes and why reducing payment for the lower-valued same-day service by 50% could have major consequences for not physician practices, but for patients The very real – and dangerous – consequences of requiring patients to return for procedures on a separate day on wait times, costs, and delayed or missed diagnoses How continued Medicare reimbursement cuts could further threaten the sustainability of independent private practices, accelerate practice consolidation, Medicare and insurance opt-outs, and the loss of community care options for patients The Patients First Act and the larger problem of forcing specialties to compete for reimbursement within a fixed Medicare physician payment system How physicians (and patients!) can advocate effectively against changes regardless of whether they have time to lobby Congress in person Anybody wanting to submit a comment before the commenting period closes on 9/14/26 should go to https://www.regulations.gov/document/CMS-2026-2377-0002/comment  Find more of our content at www.physiciansidegigs.com, our Facebook communities, and our Instagram accounts! This episode is brought to you by the Physician Side Gigs attorney database. If you need someone to review a contract, help with employment issues, are dealing with compliance or healthcare fraud questions, estate planning, or even immigration matters, we’ve curated a list of local and national attorneys who work specifically with physicians. Visit physiciansidegigs.com/attorneys to learn more. Find more of our content at www.physiciansidegigs.com, our Facebook communities, and our Instagram account!

  2. Sep 1

    CMS’ 2027 Physician Compensation Proposal: The Good, Bad, & Ugly, with Dr. Saurin Patel

    In this episode, Dr. Nisha Mehta is joined by Dr. Saurin Patel, cardiologist and co-founder/Medical Director of MD365, a multi-specialty primary care and cardiology group. They break down CMS’s proposed 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, and what the changes could mean for physicians, private practices, and the future of healthcare reimbursement, both good and bad. They discuss: What the proposed 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule reveals about CMS’s broader push away from fee-for-service and toward value-based care Proposed changes to G2211 payments, and why physicians participating in Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) could see greater reimbursements – and how ACO models and value based care models work Why proposed changes to remote patient monitoring (RPM) could make existing programs difficult for practices to sustain Why CMS’s latest proposals may finally signal that telehealth is here to stay and how greater certainty could change the way practices invest in virtual care How proposed Modifier 25 changes could reduce reimbursement for same-day E&M visits and procedures, particularly for procedural and surgical specialties, and create widespread issues for access to care The larger questions these proposals raise about Medicare reimbursement, declining physician payments, and the future of independent practice Anybody wanting to submit a comment before the commenting period closes on 9/14/26 should go to https://www.regulations.gov/document/CMS-2026-2377-0002/comment  Find more of our content at www.physiciansidegigs.com, our Facebook communities, and our Instagram accounts! This episode is sponsored by our mortgage lenders directory at Physician Side Gigs. If you’re a physician looking to buy your first home out of training, purchase a new home, or refinance your existing mortgage, we’ve curated a list of physician loan & conventional loan lenders who work specifically with doctors and who were recommended by members in our communities. Find lenders in your state by visiting https://www.physiciansidegigs.com/mortgage-lenders-for-physicians.

  3. Aug 25

    Lessons from a Year of Running a Direct Primary Care (DPC) Practice, with Christine Li Wan Po, D.O.

    In this episode, Dr. Nisha Mehta is joined by Dr. Christine Li Wan Po, board-certified family medicine physician and owner of Pinnacle Health, to discuss what it’s like to leave traditional employed medicine and build a direct primary care (DPC) practice. They discuss: Why she transitioned from a high-volume, insurance-based practice to direct primary care — and how it has helped her to maximize the joy in the doctor-patient relationship Why direct primary care doesn’t automatically mean more income or better work-life balance, and common misconceptions about the model The financial realities of starting a DPC practice, from funding startup costs and building a patient panel to determining membership fees – and when you can finally pay yourself The unexpected challenges of becoming a DPC practice owner, including staffing, business operations, and setting boundaries around availability The pros, cons, and limitations of the DPC model, and why she’s ultimately happy with her decision to make the switch Find more of our content at www.physiciansidegigs.com, our Facebook communities, and our Instagram accounts! This episode is brought to you by the Physician Side Gigs job board. Whether you’re interested in exploring jobs with private practices owned by our physician members or hospital systems, our job board features opportunities directly with the hiring company without having to work with a third-party recruiter, allowing you to control your search under your terms. If you’re considering a move or want to list an opportunity, visit physiciansidegigs.com/job-board to learn more.    Find more of our content at www.physiciansidegigs.com, our Facebook communities, and our Instagram account!

  4. Aug 18

    How to Start (and Sustain) a Successful Podcast, with Dr. Jay Sridhar

    In this episode, Dr. Nisha Mehta is joined by Dr. Jay Sridhar, vitreoretinal surgeon and host of two popular medical podcasts, to discuss what it really takes to build a successful podcast while balancing a busy clinical career and personal life. Whether or not you’re interested in starting a podcast, the second half of this episode carries valuable insights for any side gig that involves consistent content creation. They discuss: How Dr. Sridhar built two medical podcasts from scratch with no audience, funding, or production experience and why consistency—not perfection—is the key to long-term success in content creation Practical tips for planning ahead, batching recordings, and preventing burnout while podcasting, and how delegating is key to making a podcast sustainable The unexpected career opportunities that come from building a trusted professional platform, including consulting, speaking engagements, and brand building Common mistakes new podcasters make, from choosing a podcast name to episode length and branding, and how to fix them Whether it’s still possible to start a successful podcast today—and what it takes to stand out in an increasingly crowded landscape This episode is sponsored by UpToDate. Unlike many open-source AI tools, UpToDate® Expert AI is built exclusively on the UpToDate clinical content you know and trust. And it is included with every personal subscription in the US.* Access relevant clinical insights with clear sourcing and explainable reasoning to support clarity and confidence at the point of care.  As you use Expert AI to explore clinical questions, you can earn CME seamlessly in the flow of care. † And with UpToDate Pro Plus, state-tagged topics for physicians make it easier to find eligible content that meet your state-specific requirements—so there’s less guesswork and less manual tracking. Plus, as a PSG clinician, you can save 15% with code PODP, and as a PSG resident, you can save 20% with code PODR when you purchase an annual or longer personal subscription. ‡ Visit utm.io/pod to subscribe. These offers are valid for a limited time and are subject to change.  *Products not available in all regions. † Visit www.uptodate.com/cme for CME details. Physicians may need to self-report credits per state board requirements. ‡ Proof of status is required for all trainee and student orders. Find more of our content at www.physiciansidegigs.com, our Facebook communities, and our Instagram accounts!

  5. Aug 11

    From ICU to Kickstarter: Creating a Board Game, with Dr. Lakshman Swamy

    In this episode, Dr. Nisha Mehta is joined by Dr. Lakshman Swamy, pulmonary and critical care physician and creator of the tabletop game Critical Care. They discuss: How a joke on social media evolved into a globally funded Kickstarter campaign and successful board game, and the creative process of turning a passion project into a real product How crowdfunding through Kickstarter can validate a product, build an audience, and reduce financial risk The importance of networking, collaboration, and finding the right team to bring creative ideas to life Why physicians often struggle with perfectionism—and how embracing iteration actually leads to better ideas and end products Practical advice for physicians who want to pursue creative side gigs, build something meaningful, and explore entrepreneurship outside of clinical practice Learn more about and buy Critical Care: The Game at https://www.criticalcaregame.com/  – Dr. Swamy is a member affiliate partner, and gives our audience a 5% discount with code PSG5.  This episode is brought to you by the side gigs databases at Physician Side Gigs, a tailored matching service available for free to our physician members. If you’re interested in opportunities such as consulting roles, advisory positions, expert witness work, disability & eligibility exams, AI training projects, and others, we help match doctors with open roles. Sign up for our newsletter for alerts of relevant opportunities that fit your background at http://eepurl.com/i8zc3w. Find more of our content at www.physiciansidegigs.com, our Facebook communities, and our Instagram accounts!

  6. Aug 4

    ‘Sham Peer Review’: How The Peer Review Process Can Be Used Against Physicians, with Dr. L.R. Huntoon

    In this episode, Dr. Nisha Mehta is joined by Dr. L. R. Huntoon, neurologist, past president of the American Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, and one of the nation’s leading experts on the topic of ‘sham peer review.’ While we believe the vast majority of peer review proceedings are done with patient safety and quality of care in mind, this episode is intended to inform physicians of what they should be aware of if they suspect the process is being used unfairly against them. They discuss: What ‘sham peer review’ is, and how the Healthcare Quality Improvement Act (HCQIA) of 1986 created legal protections for hospitals that have enabled the peer review process to be (occasionally) misused against physicians in a retaliatory manner Why whistleblowers, independent physicians that create competition for hospitals, and those who challenge hospital leadership may be vulnerable and should keep their guard up if they suspect that they are being targeted unfairly How resigning during an active investigation can permanently impact your career through National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) reporting The critical mistakes physicians make when responding to notice or warning signs that a peer review investigation is underway How to protect yourself with proper documentation, experienced legal counsel, expert witnesses, and written communication, and resources available through the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) You can find more information and resources at https://aapsonline.org/sprarchive/  This episode is sponsored by our insurance agents directory at Physician Side Gigs, which includes resources for various insurance products, including disability, life, malpractice, home, and auto insurance. This curated list contains brokers who have been used by thousands of members in our communities. Find insurance agents by visiting https://www.physiciansidegigs.com/insurance-agents-for-physicians. Find more of our content at www.physiciansidegigs.com, our Facebook communities, and our Instagram accounts!

  7. Jul 28

    Breaking into Pharma Careers As a Physician, with Dr. Michelle Mudge-Riley

    In this episode, Dr. Nisha Mehta is joined by Dr. Michelle Mudge-Riley, Medical Director in Global Clinical Development, to pull back the curtain on pharmaceutical industry careers for physicians. They discuss: The biggest misconceptions about physician careers in pharma — and why they’re neither sales jobs nor “backup” careers What day-to-day life actually looks like across the major physician roles in the pharmaceutical industry, including Medical Science Liaison (MSL), Medical Director, Clinical Development, Drug Safety, Medical Affairs, and Regulatory Affairs roles Why clinical experience is the most valuable qualification pharmaceutical companies seek when hiring physicians, what it takes to be a strong candidate, and why networking is key to breaking into your first pharma role General advice for physicians looking to make the transition to nonclinical careers This episode is brought to you by the Physician Side Gigs job board. Whether you’re interested in exploring jobs with private practices owned by our physician members or hospital systems, our job board features opportunities directly with the hiring company without having to work with a third-party recruiter, allowing you to control your search under your terms. If you’re considering a move or want to list an opportunity, visit physiciansidegigs.com/job-board to learn more. Find more of our content at www.physiciansidegigs.com, our Facebook communities, and our Instagram accounts!

  8. Jul 21

    How Physicians Can Break Into Health Innovation & Tech, with Dr. Aaron Reinke & Jody Tropeano Greene

    In this episode, Dr. Nisha Mehta is joined by Dr. Aaron Reinke, family physician, health tech advisor, and physician innovator, and Jody Tropeano Greene, Head of Content at HLTH. This episode flips the script — Dr. Mehta hands the hosting reins over to Jody, who interviews Drs. Reinke and Mehta about the Physicians @ HLTH program goals and how it has been impactful in helping physicians break into the health innovation ecosystem. They discuss: The history of physician involvement in healthcare innovation and tech conferences, and why physicians who have a meaningful seat at the table is the secret weapon so many companies in the health tech ecosystem need to stand out from competitors How the Physicians @ HLTH program came to be, what its goals were, and how it has evolved into a place where practicing physicians can break into health tech through consulting, advisory boards, investing, and entrepreneurship How Dr. Aaron Reinke leveraged the HLTH Conference to build an advisory portfolio, expand his network, and begin developing his own AI-powered solutions Where they see the trajectory of physicians going in health tech in the future, particularly as AI has lowered  the barrier for physicians to build healthcare solutions without large engineering teams Practical advice for physicians looking to take their first steps into the health innovation ecosystem, whether through HLTH or otherwise To learn more about the Physicians @ HLTH program, done in partnership with HLTH and Physician Side Gigs, go to https://www.physiciansidegigs.com/hlth or https://hlth.com/events/usa/agenda/programs/physicians-at-hlth/ . If you’re a physician, join us in Las Vegas in November 2027! Find more of our content at www.physiciansidegigs.com, our Facebook communities, and our Instagram accounts!

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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Inside the Doctor’s Lounge is a podcast by the Physician Side Gigs team, hosted by Dr. Nisha Mehta, which showcases popular topics from our online communities of over 220,000 physicians. We interview clinicians, healthcare innovators, and other experts about health innovation, entrepreneurship, things somebody probably should’ve taught us in medical school, and other topics that impact the future of healthcare.

Information

  • Creator
    Physician Side Gigs
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 - Physician Side Gigs
  • Show Website
    Inside The Doctor's Lounge

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