Contractor Payment FAQ

This explains how contractor payments work when billing is processed through insurance. Payments are based on collections received (not visits completed), so monthly totals can fluctuate based on payer timing.

1) How is my pay calculated?

Your compensation is based on actual collections received (insurance payments and patient payments), not on:

number of visits completed
charges submitted / billed amounts
allowed amounts that have not yet been paid

2) Why doesn’t my pay always match my visit volume for the month?

Insurance payments do not arrive in real time. Claims may be paid weeks after the visit, or later if additional processing is required. Patient responsibility may also take time to collect. A month with similar visits can still pay differently based on what was actually collected during that payment period.

3) Why did my payment feel lower after switching from bi-weekly to monthly?

Bi-weekly payments often smooth timing differences because each check includes a mix of older and newer claims. Monthly payments reflect payer timing more directly, so slower-remittance months can look lower and then rebound when claims clear. Over time, the totals should align; what changes is timing.

4) Does a lower payment mean my claims were underpaid or denied?

Not necessarily. Common reasons include slower payer remittances, pending insurance balances, patient balances not yet collected, or payer-specific delays. Billing continues to work claims through completion.

5) What role does payer mix play?

Different insurers pay at different speeds. A month with a higher proportion of slower-paying plans may delay collections even when visit volume is steady. This affects timing, not overall earned revenue.

6) What happens to money that hasn’t been paid yet?

Unpaid balances remain on the insurance account or patient account until resolved and collected. Once funds are received, they are included in the next applicable payment cycle.

7) Is any of my earned income lost if it’s not paid in the current month?

No. If services were rendered and claims were submitted appropriately, collections are paid out once received. Timing can vary based on payer processing and patient responsibility.

8) Can I review my encounters and collections?

Yes. Encounter summaries and payment reports are available to review upon request. If anything looks off, we can walk through it together.

How payment flows (simple view)

Visit

You see the patient and complete the note.

Claim

Billing submits the claim to insurance (and/or patient).

Payment

Insurance processes and pays (timing varies by payer).

Payout

Contractor pay is issued based on collections received.

Key point: Visits and claims can occur in one month, but payments may arrive weeks later — so monthly payouts can fluctuate based on payer timing.