Does this happen a lot?

mirandaaa · May 28, 2015

I'm not a nurse, so I can only say what I've gathered from reading/hearing things, but from what I understand, it's pretty common to have malpractice insurance as a nurse.

It's a little strange that they may hold pay for a week, but some places do that. A previous HH place I worked for would hold pay until you had all documents turned in.

Libby1987 · May 28, 2015

I don't know what you mean by hold but we turn in our last time sheets with notes attached on the 16th and 30/31st and then are paid 10 days later. I don't know if that's the kind of hold you're talking about but the pay checks come regularly twice a month. Any time sheets not submitted with completed notes won't be on the paycheck, and you're in trouble, completed work is expected.

I have worked for a company that held pay checks on individuals who hadn't turned in paperwork. They can't bill without the notes.

My company doesn't require personal malpractice but I have it anyway.

amillion3147 · May 28, 2015

The agency I am with never mentioned anything about malpratice insurance but I always had it and the paperwork to prove I was covered. My last job required it. I guess it depends on who you are employed with. I know they will not pay me for work on completed and submitted because they need the information complete to bill. I do all my paperwork the day of and in the patients home.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · May 30, 2015

The visits can't be billed without the notes so yes that part is common. Without your notes how is the agency to know that you've done the work?

ETA- just do your notes on time and it won't be a problem.

caliotter3 · May 30, 2015

It is quite common for agencies to hold pay pending receipt of notes. They consider this the best way to get nurses to get their necessary work turned in. In my state, it is considered illegal to withhold pay, but that does not stop hh agencies from the threat. My state's labor board states that if, for instance, you work 40 hours a week and receive 40 hours pay each week, week in and week out, then the employer must pay you on schedule, week in and week out. Their stance is that the work was performed and the pay is due. The paperwork is only an indication of how well you did the work, not that the work was performed or not performed.

It is somewhat less common for the employer to demand to see proof that you have your own malpractice insurance, which you should have anyway if you are going to work as a nurse.

grateful_RN · Jul 12, 2015

Yes it is common to not pay until the notes are in on your part, if the office needs to adjust or QA at least your notes are in. Also, my agency shows malpractice insurance as 'optional'.