How to Spend Leftover CME Money Before It Expires
Because CME stipends are a use it or lose it benefit, you need to spend any leftover CME money before year's end to make the most of it. Here's how you can do that.
For many of us, the deadline to spend our CME money has just come and gone.
Because CME stipends operate on a use it or lose it basis, you'd be leaving money on the table if you don't utilize all of your available allowance.
Not only did your CME stipend likely reset on December 31st, but there are a few CME products that have been discontinued as of 2023. Most notably, Board Vitals CME Pro Plus, which came with a gift card worth up to $3,500, was discontinued as of January 3rd, 2023.
So with that in mind, here are a few creative ways to spend that leftover CME money burning a hole in your expense account.
1. CME with Gift Cards
This may be your last chance to get certain CME plus gift card bundles, as some of these are being retired at the end of 2022. Most notably, BoardVitals’ CME Pro Plus will be available only until January 3rd, 2023.
A few major ones that are sticking around, as far as I know, are CMEinfo Insider (max $3,200 gift card), GibLib (max $3,000 gift card), and MDCalc (max $3,000 gift card).
These are all excellent options (gift card or not), so you'll still have plenty of worthwhile choices.
2. CME with a Free iPad
Here’s another limited time way to maximize your CME spend this year. VisualDx is currently offering a free iPad with a one or two year CME subscription. The iPad comes pre-installed with VisualDx so you can start using your new CME plan right away once you get the device.
Get your free 10th generation 64GB iPad with a VisualDx subscription here.
2. CME with a Free iPad
Here’s another limited time way to maximize your CME spend. Use the extra funds from a CME with gift card offer to buy yourself a new iPad. It's a win-win because you can use the new device to earn your CME on the go.
Here's more on how to get a free iPad with your CME money.
3. CME with Reward Points
Master Clinicians has launched a new Membership Access Pass that provides points you can use on future courses. There are three levels; Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Looking at the Silver Membership Access Pass, it costs $2,000 and will come with 20,000 points.
However, if you pre-order now, you'll get an additional 15% in points. This looks like it'll be an interesting way to get more value from your CME fund without resorting to frantically spending it at the last minute (like you are now).
Learn more about Master Clinicians Membership Access Pass here.
4. Multi Year CME Subscription
One of my favorite ways to spend CME money is with a multi-year CME subscription. CMEinfo Insider comes in one, two, or three year packages, as does GibLib’s CME plan.
StatPearls has a lifetime CME plan for $2,599. Pay once and get access to all current and future CME activities from StatPearls. Pretty good deal if you ask me.
5. Buy Medical Textbooks
If you need a textbook that is considered a must-have for your specialty, now is the time to get it. When I worked in the neurosurgery department, it was Greenberg's. Stahl’s was a cornerstone of psychiatry practice. Every specialty's got one.
Find yours on Bookshop.org and support local bookstores at the same time.
6. Book a Travel CME Activity
When I say travel CME, I don’t mean your traditional conferences that are held in various places around the country. Companies like CME Procedures offer ways to make your CME into a vacation (or your vacation into a CME conference). Buy your travel CME with this year’s CME stipend and book your travel in 2023.
7. Register for a 2023 CME Conference
It’s never too early to start planning your CME conferences for next year. American Medical Seminars hosts CME events in hospital medicine, emergency medicine, primary care, infectious diseases, and other specialties in nice-looking beach towns. They have conferences starting as early as February 2023. We also have a listing of live, in-person CME conferences that will be updated soon for 2023.
More Ideas on Spending Leftover CME Money
With online CME becoming more and more popular every year, there are plenty of opportunities to spend your leftover CME money in creative and useful ways. This applies during pandemics as well as normal times.
For more online CME options, check out our CME database with more than 500 CME activities from which to choose.
Subscribe to Modern MedEd
Further Reading
How Much CME Money Should You Have? (with updated 2022 data)
The allotted amount of CME money individual clinicians receive ranges wildly. Here's an evidence-based search for a fair CME allowance
Palliative Care CME & Resources: A Primer for Clinicians
Overview of palliative care, CME and more resources for healthcare professionals. By Kim Spering, FNP-BC palliative care nurse practitioner.
