Looking for freelance or contract work as a ophthalmologist in Florida? Whether you want to supplement your income or transition to independent practice, Florida offers several high-paying options. Here's how the top opportunities compare.
Ophthalmologists review medical records, provide expert opinions on standard of care in eye-related malpractice cases, and testify in depositions or trials. Work involves analyzing cases for attorneys, insurers, or courts, focusing on ophthalmology-specific issues like surgical errors or diagnostic failures. Assignments are project-based with preparation and court appearances.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Florida notes: FL has active personal injury/med-mal market; No state income tax makes effective rate higher; Trial testimony $450-550/hr; Deposition $375-475/hr; Case review $275-400/hr
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks
Ophthalmologists perform objective exams and reports for insurance claims, disability cases, or legal matters assessing vision impairments or injuries. Involves detailed history, testing, and impartial opinions on causation, prognosis, and work capacity. Reports are used in workers' comp, auto accidents, or liability disputes.
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($3,000-$10,000/year)
Florida notes: High personal injury litigation market in FL; South FL premium; Standard ophthalmic IME flat fee ~$2,500-3,000; Hourly equivalent ~$400-500/hr; Workers' comp high volume
Typical start timeline: 2-6 weeks
Ophthalmologists advise pharmaceutical companies, device manufacturers, or healthcare organizations on eye care products, clinical trials, or policy development. Participation in advisory boards involves meetings to provide insights on treatments, market needs, or guidelines. Consulting may include strategy development for ophthalmology services or tech innovations.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Florida notes: Large retiree population drives ophthalmology consulting demand; No state income tax advantage; Pharma advisory boards $300-450/hr; Expert networks $175-400/hr; Retirement community health system consulting $175-300/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-6 weeks
Healthcare AI companies hire ophthalmologist professionals to review, annotate, and validate training data for medical AI systems. Work involves ophthalmic imaging ai training — tasks like retinal image annotation, oct interpretation, glaucoma detection.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Florida 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 ophthalmologist AI training projects.
Ophthalmologists provide temporary clinical coverage at hospitals, clinics, or practices in Florida to fill staffing shortages, performing eye exams, surgeries, and treatments on a short-term or daily basis. Assignments vary from days to months, allowing flexibility between full-time roles. This freelance work supports patient care continuity during vacations, leaves, or peak demand.
Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer
Florida notes: Tampa/Miami metro standard rates; Rural/panhandle FL +15-25% premium; Seasonal demand increase Oct-Apr (snowbird population); Retina specialist $180-250/hr; Comprehensive $140-200/hr; Trauma call coverage (daily rate + hourly)
Typical start timeline: 4-12 weeks
Ophthalmologists conduct virtual consultations for eye conditions, triage urgent cases, monitor chronic diseases like glaucoma, and interpret imaging remotely. Platforms enable video exams, prescription management, and follow-ups without in-person visits. This supports underserved Florida areas or patient convenience.
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($5,000-$15,000/year)
Florida notes: No geographic variation (remote); Large elderly population creates high demand for remote screening; Diabetic retinopathy screening $90-130/hr; Specialty tele-consults $130-175/hr; Virtual refractive consults $90-120/hr
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks
Q: What are the highest-paying freelance options for ophthalmologists in Florida?
A: Based on current market data, the top 3 are: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal Consulting ($275-$550/hr), Independent Medical Exams (IME) ($275-$500/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($175-$450/hr).
Q: Which freelance options for ophthalmologists don't require malpractice insurance?
A: 3 options don't require malpractice insurance: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal Consulting ($275-$550/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($175-$450/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($70-$380/hr).
Q: Can ophthalmologists work remotely in Florida?
A: Yes, 5 options are fully or partially remote: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal Consulting ($275-$550/hr), Independent Medical Exams (IME) ($275-$500/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($175-$450/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($70-$380/hr), Telemedicine / Tele-Ophthalmology ($90-$175/hr).
Q: What Florida license do ophthalmologists need for freelance work?
A: An active Florida license from Florida Board of Optometry (for optometrists); American Board of Ophthalmology (for board certification verification) is required for most clinical freelance options.
Q: How quickly can ophthalmologists start freelance work?
A: Timeline varies by option: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal Consulting typically takes 1-4 weeks, while Independent Medical Exams (IME) typically takes 2-6 weeks, while Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards typically takes 2-6 weeks.
Q: What's the pay range for ophthalmologists doing AI training work?
A: AI training pays $70-$380/hour for ophthalmologists, varying by experience level and project complexity. No malpractice insurance required.
Folio connects Florida ophthalmologists 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): Retinal image annotation, OCT interpretation, glaucoma detection
Most ophthalmologists start with 5-10 hours weekly, then scale based on preference. No minimum commitment.
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Questions? Email experts@folioworks.com
