Looking for freelance or contract work as a cardiologist in Michigan? Whether you want to supplement your income or transition to independent practice, Michigan offers several high-paying options. Here's how the top opportunities compare.
Expert witness roles require cardiologists to review medical records, provide impartial opinions on standard of care in cardiac cases, and testify in depositions or trials related to malpractice suits. Work involves detailed report writing and court appearances, often for plaintiff or defense attorneys. Assignments are case-specific and highly compensated per hour or case.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Michigan notes: Wayne County (Detroit) moderate med-mal volume; Trial testimony $450-625/hr; Deposition $350-500/hr; Record review $250-400/hr
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks
Consulting involves advising healthcare organizations, pharma companies, or insurers on cardiology best practices, protocol development, device evaluations, or quality improvement initiatives. Cardiologists may review guidelines, train staff, or contribute to policy in Michigan facilities. Projects are often short-term and leverage specialized expertise.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Michigan notes: Detroit auto/health tech innovation; Ann Arbor academic hub; Pharma advisory $325-475/hr; Expert networks $250-400/hr; Device consulting $175-325/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-8 weeks
Healthcare AI companies hire cardiologist professionals to review, annotate, and validate training data for medical AI systems. Work involves cardiology imaging and ecg interpretation ai training — tasks like ecg interpretation, echocardiogram annotation, arrhythmia detection.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Michigan notes: Fully remote — available regardless of state. Pay based on specialty expertise, not location.
Typical start timeline: 1-2 weeks
Getting started: Join the expert community and make a free profile on Folio to browse current cardiologist AI training projects.
Locum tenens or per diem work for a cardiologist involves providing temporary coverage in hospitals or clinics in Michigan, performing consultations, interpreting tests like echocardiograms, and managing inpatient and outpatient cardiac cases. Assignments can range from days to months, often including call coverage for urgent needs. This freelance type offers high pay rates, typically $150-$310 per hour or $1,800-$3,200 daily.
Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer
Michigan notes: Detroit metro average; rural MI (Upper Peninsula) +25-35% premium; Midwest demand strong; Interventional/EP $290-390/hr; General/Non-invasive $220-275/hr; Invasive $255-330/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-12 weeks
Telemedicine work allows cardiologists to conduct remote consultations, review EKGs and imaging, manage chronic cardiac conditions, and provide follow-up care via video platforms. For Michigan patients, this involves virtual visits without physical exams, focusing on non-invasive cardiology advice. It supports high-volume patient throughput from home or office setups.
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($5,000-$15,000/year)
Michigan notes: No geographic variation (remote); Beaumont/Michigan Medicine expanding telehealth programs; Remote imaging reads $130-200/hr; Virtual consults $85-165/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-6 weeks
Chart review work entails auditing patient records for insurance companies or hospitals to assess treatment necessity, coding accuracy, and adherence to cardiology guidelines in Michigan claims. Utilization review determines medical necessity for procedures like stents or ablations. It is desk-based, high-volume analysis supporting cost containment.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Michigan notes: Remote work; no geographic variation; Cardiology peer review $100-175/hr; General UR $85-130/hr
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks
Q: What are the highest-paying freelance options for cardiologists in Michigan?
A: Based on current market data, the top 3 are: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($250-$550/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($175-$475/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($150-$415/hr).
Q: Which freelance options for cardiologists don't require malpractice insurance?
A: 4 options don't require malpractice insurance: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($250-$550/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($175-$475/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($150-$415/hr), Chart Review / Utilization Review ($85-$175/hr). This can save $20-$50K annually compared to options requiring coverage.
Q: Can cardiologists work remotely in Michigan?
A: Yes, 5 options are fully or partially remote: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($250-$550/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($175-$475/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($150-$415/hr), Telemedicine / Telehealth ($85-$200/hr), Chart Review / Utilization Review ($85-$175/hr).
Q: What Michigan license do cardiologists need for freelance work?
A: An active Michigan license from Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing, Board of Medicine is required for most clinical freelance options.
Q: How quickly can cardiologists start freelance work?
A: Timeline varies by option: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal typically takes 1-4 weeks, while Healthcare Consulting / Advisory typically takes 2-8 weeks, while AI Training & Annotation typically takes 1-2 weeks.
Q: What's the pay range for cardiologists doing AI training work?
A: AI training pays $150-$415/hour for cardiologists, varying by experience level and project complexity. No malpractice insurance required.
Folio connects Michigan cardiologists with frontier research labs and healthcare AI companies looking for clinical expertise. The platform vets AI companies for project quality, handles contracting and payment, and matches projects to your area of expertise.
Typical timeline:
- Application: 3 minutes
- Credential review: 2-3 business days
- Platform orientation: 1 hour
- First project: 3-7 days from application
Current project focus (February 2026): ECG interpretation, echocardiogram annotation, arrhythmia detection
Most cardiologists start with 5-10 hours weekly, then scale based on preference. No minimum commitment.
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Questions? Email experts@folioworks.com
