International CME With CME Away: The Power of Self-Employment

Love For Travel & Learning

Like many physicians, I love to experience the world through travel and enjoy learning new things. That's why I combine these two passions by taking CME courses in unique places.

Over a decade ago, when I was a traditionally employed physician, the hospital gave me a $3000 stipend and 5 days of PTO for CME. While I appreciated it then, I was always a bit frustrated because this benefit package never seemed to cover the cost of attending the most intriguing locations. Consequently, I had to cover the shortfall between my CME reimbursement and the actual expenses from my own personal funds. It was still manageable due to my high income, but it did hurt a little—especially since it was a non-deductible expense in tandem with my annual tax bill of over a $100,000!

If you are a high-earning W-2 employee, then you know it is impossible to deduct those out of pocket professional expenses associated with CME. In addition to the CME funding shortfalls, the corporate restrictions included not being able to travel outside of the mainland US, restricted CME days off, and the micro-management of food and beverage receipts—all of which made the process stifling.

No More Restrictions

A decade ago, when I started doing long-term independent contracting through my own micro-corporation, it removed the restrictions associated with attending any exotic CME.  My CME became a business expense within my micro-corporation, allowing me to attend any legitimate CME anywhere, as long as I could afford it. Let me emphasize that—anywhere! And let me emphasize business expense!

As I have mentioned previously in my blogs, as a non-employee whose employment lite contract is based on productivity rather than salary, there is no concept of PTO (Paid Time Off). I can take any reasonable amount of time off that I want, but the consequence of not working is that I do not earn any productivity income. As a small business owner, I am aware that for every week I am away from my clinic, it costs me around $15, 000 in income. However, for my well-being, I take 4-5 weeks off every year without worrying about the opportunity costs of being away—it is worth it!

Looking For International CME

Once I realized that it was acceptable for me to participate in international CME programs for more than a week at a time, I began searching for CME agencies that offer unique locations and experiences. Naturally, I also had to figure out how to effectively manage the expenses of such trips, especially if my spouse would accompany me. This search eventually led me to a company with which I have traveled six times already, and I currently have two more trips scheduled.

I would like to introduce them to you.

CME Away is my favorite international CME company for several reasons, and if you are in a position to consider one of their trips, I highly recommend you to check into them here.

Why do I like them?:

• High Quality CME—The speakers and the content are excellent, memorable, and practical, all in a smaller group setting designed for interaction.

• Great Locations—They offer a wide menu of trips all over the world

• Luxury Tour Companies—They cater to physicians and their high expectations for top-tier hospitality and quality experiences.

• Land and Sea—You can choose which type of trip you prefer - a sea-based trip or one on land only. My wife and I have done both and loved each experience.

• International Medical Community—CME Away is Canadian-based and therefore heavily populated by Canadian and UK physicians. Typically, doctors from all over the world attend CME events. I find it very invigorating to learn alongside fellow physicians who bring a unique perspective from their experiences. US physicians in the crowd are welcomed!

• Companions Travel for Free— This is one of my favorite features because, as you may know, the cost of your significant other joining you is not a covered business expense if they are a non-physician. This bundled price essentially includes your companion for free, and all you have to cover is the plane ticket. Now, that is really cool!

So with all this in mind, my latest installment of “Is That Deductible?” involves my recent trip CME trip to Australia and New Zealand.

And yes it was a deductible business expense.

Australia and New Zealand: A Journey of Learning and Discovery

My wife and I want to visit all 7 continents, so this trip was part of our “Life Adventure List” (more on this on a future post"). Inclusive with that is my quest to expand my knowledge and skills, as well as to explore new places and cultures. That’s why I was thrilled to join a 16-night CME cruise around Australia and New Zealand, organized by Sea Courses. This trip was not only a chance to earn up to 15 hours of AMA approved CME credits on topics such as family medicine and palliative care, but also a chance to visit some of the most amazing destinations in the world.

In this blog post, I want to share with you some of the highlights of the trip, and how it enriched my personal and professional life.

Auckland and Bay of Islands, New Zealand

The trip started in Auckland, the largest and most cosmopolitan city in New Zealand. Auckland is known as the City of Sails, because of its beautiful harbor and its passion for sailing.

The next day, we sailed to the Bay of Islands, a subtropical region with over 140 islands and stunning scenery. The Bay of Islands is rich in history and culture, as it is the place where the first European settlers arrived and signed the Treaty of Waitangi with the Māori people. We took a tender and walked around charming town of Russell, which was once the capital of New Zealand and a notorious whaling port.

Tauranga and Napier, New Zealand

The next stop was Tauranga, a coastal city with a vibrant lifestyle and a gateway to the geothermal wonders of the region. After getting off the ship, we headed straight for Rotorua and completed an all day zip line experience in the beautiful, remote tree canopy. It was exhilarating and we had a blast!

The next day, I completed a half day of CME on the ship and then we arrived in Napier, a city that was rebuilt in the Art Deco style after a devastating earthquake in 1931. Napier is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a delight for architecture and design lovers. I took a walking tour of the city, and admired the colorful and elegant buildings, sculptures, and fountains. We also enjoyed a little miniature golf here.

Wellington and Nelson, New Zealand

After another morning CME, the next destination was Wellington, the capital and cultural hub of New Zealand. Wellington is a compact and lively city, with a beautiful waterfront, a vibrant arts and entertainment scene. I spent a day exploring the city’s attractions, such as the Cable Car, the Botanic Garden, and the Parliament Buildings. I also visited the Weta Workshop, where I learned more about the film industry and the special effects behind movies such as The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

The next day, we sailed to Nelson, a creative and sunny city at the top of the South Island. Nelson is known for its arts and crafts, its wineries, and its proximity to the Abel Tasman National Park. We just relaxed a bit here.

Picton and Christchurch, New Zealand

The next stop was Picton, a picturesque town and the gateway to the Marlborough region, which is famous for its wines, especially the Sauvignon Blanc. We had hoped to sea Kayak here but it got canceled due to winds.

The next day, we arrived in Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island and the most English-inspired city in New Zealand. Christchurch is a city that has been through a lot, as it was severely damaged by two earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. The city landmarks and attractions were delightful to take in.

Dunedin and Milford Sound, New Zealand

The next destination was Dunedin, a city that is known as the Edinburgh of the South, because of its Scottish heritage and its Gothic architecture. Dunedin is also a city that is rich in culture and nature, as it is home to the University of Otago, the oldest university in New Zealand. We were able to arrange for a tour of the Larnach Castle and had high tea with the elderly castle owner who also gave us a private tour of her gardens on the grounds. It was special, and a royal experience we will always treasure.

The next day, we sailed to Milford Sound, one of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring places in the world. Milford Sound is a fjord that was carved by glaciers and is surrounded by towering mountains, waterfalls, and rainforest. I took a cruise along the fjord, and marveled at the natural beauty and the wildlife, such as seals, penguins, and dolphins. I also saw the iconic Mitre Peak, which rises more than a mile from the water.

Hobart and Eden, Australia

We were scheduled to travel to Hobart, Tasmania but this was re-rerouted due to high seas. This gave us some time to complete additional CME and spend an extra day on Sydney.

The next day, we visited Eden, a small town on the Sapphire Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Eden is a paradise for nature and wildlife lovers, as it is home to some of the most pristine and diverse ecosystems in the country. It is known for it’s Killer Whales but we did not see any. But we did visit a wildlife sanctuary and got to touch and interact with kangaroos, emu’s, wombats, & echidna. It was really cool

Sydney and Cairns, Australia

The next stop was Sydney, the largest and most iconic city in Australia. Sydney is a city that has it all, from world-class landmarks, such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, to beautiful beaches, such as Bondi and Manly, to vibrant neighborhoods, such as the Rocks and Darling Harbour. We spent two days exploring the city’s attractions including the city tower.

The next day, we flew to Cairns, a tropical city in the Far North of Queensland, Australia. Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the largest and most diverse coral reef system in the world. Since my wife can’t snorkle for medical reasons, we took a private plane tour of the reef and saw spectacular reef views along with sharks, seals, dolphins, dugang’s (sea cows).

Samoa

The last stop of the trip was Samoa, a small island nation in the South Pacific. Samoa is a place that is rich in culture and tradition, as well as in natural beauty and charm. Since visiting all the US National Parks is on our “Life Adventure List”, we integrated a visit to the National Park of American Samoa into our travels home.

You Should Do This

My CME trip through Australia, New Zealand, and Samoa was a symphony of learning, cultural exploration, and natural wonders. As a physician, embracing global experiences not only enhances medical knowledge but also fosters cultural understanding and a broader worldview. The memories forged during this CME adventure will continue to inspire and shape my life for years to come.

If you are self-employed, I invite you check out CME Away’s many travel options.

If are traditionally employed W-2 worker, you can still go, but you will likely pay a lot of it out of your household cash. I invite you to take a look at starting a professional corporation for your side work, and then job stack using your micro-corporation. This this will open the door for international CME that is covered as a business expense with your micro-corporation.