Weekly Rounds: Issue #023

Week of 10/5/2025

Author

Wealth Rounds
October 05, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

Fellow physicians, as we navigate our demanding careers, financial intelligence remains our greatest ally. This week, I'm sharing insights on RMD strategies and portfolio optimization that have personally helped me build wealth while practicing medicine. We'll also examine UnitedHealthcare's troubling mid-surgery authorization practices and explore how understanding RVUs can directly impact your income. Let's maximize our financial health with the same precision we apply to patient care.

🏥 How to think about required minimum distributions

Source: Medical Economics
Published: September

Required minimum distributions (RMDs) often cause undue anxiety among retirees. Despite the dramatic concerns expressed, these withdrawals are simply tax-deferred accounts becoming taxable as originally intended. Understanding RMDs as a normal part of retirement planning helps put these mandatory withdrawals in proper perspective.

🏥 Doctor Claims UnitedHealthcare Called Mid Surgery To Ask If Inpatient Stay Was Justified For Patient —'Do You Understand She's Asleep Right Now?'

Source: Personal Finance
Published: October 4, 2025

During a surgical procedure, Dr. Elisabeth Potter, a Texas plastic surgeon, received an unexpected call from UnitedHealthcare questioning if a patient's overnight hospital stay was justified. The interruption occurred while the patient was under anesthesia, highlighting the growing tension between medical care and insurance cost considerations in healthcare.

📝 Not Everything Goes into Your Portfolio

Source: WCI
Published: October 4, 2025

DIY investors often struggle with asset allocation, believing all investments must fit into their portfolio structure. However, not everything belongs in your portfolio. Effective investing requires strategic selection rather than including every possible asset class or investment opportunity available in the market.

📝 Understanding RVU: Your Guide to Increased Productivity and Income

Source: Physician on FIRE
Published: October 1, 2025

RVUs measure physician productivity by assigning values to medical services based on time, complexity, and resources. Understanding RVU calculations directly impacts compensation in most healthcare systems. Physicians can increase earnings by optimizing documentation, improving efficiency, and focusing on high-value procedures while maintaining quality care.

👴 I retired at 60 and haven’t touched my $700K IRA thanks to my pension, Social Security — but what about RMDs?

Source: Yahoo Finance
Published: October 4, 2025

A 60-year-old retiree with sufficient income from pension and Social Security hasn't needed to withdraw from their $700K IRA. However, they now face concerns about Required Minimum Distributions that will eventually force withdrawals regardless of need, potentially creating unnecessary tax obligations.

As we've explored this week, financial planning requires both technical expertise (RMDs, RVUs) and thoughtful prioritization. The healthcare landscape continues to present unique challenges for physicians, making strategic financial decisions more crucial than ever. Remember that your financial plan, like patient care, should be comprehensive yet focused on what truly matters. 📊