Table of Contents

• Submitting Visits – Enter visits in the Loula portal right away and never miss a cycle deadline.
• Visit Clarification – Reply to Loula’s follow-up within 48 hours to keep payouts on time.
• The Pay Cycle Beat – Semi-monthly payouts with a built-in two-cycle delay for steady cash flow.
• Example Timeline – See a real September 2025 visit mapped from submission to payment.
• Loula Pro Tips – Simple habits to keep your payments smooth and predictable.
• Why the Cycle Matters – Loula absorbs insurance delays so you get reliable deposits.
• 10 FAQs – Quick answers to the most common questions about visits, deadlines, and payments.

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Let’s face it: getting paid shouldn’t be a mystery. At Loula, we’ve turned the boring old payroll process into a predictable rhythm—think of it as the heartbeat of your doula practice. Here’s how to keep your cash flow grooving without missing a beat.

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Submitting Visits: The Quick-Step

Timely submission is everything. Enter each visit in the Loula portal as soon as possible—no waiting for Mercury to leave retrograde.

• Deadline Rule: Submit visits during the cycle they happen or the very next cycle.
• Example Jam: If a visit takes place on September 7, 2025, you’ve got until September 30, 2025 (the end of the 9/16–9/30 cycle) to hit “submit.”
• Pro Move: Double-check the visit date before sending. Made a typo? Message Loula Support through the portal ASAP.

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Visit Clarification: The Loula Remix

Sometimes our team might pop in with a quick “clarification request” while processing your visits.

• Reply within 48 hours to keep your payment on track.
• Miss that window and your payout dances over to the next cycle—aka a longer wait for your dollars.

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The Pay Cycle Beat

Loula pays on a semi-monthly rhythm:

• Cycle 1: 1st – 15th
• Cycle 2: 16th – last day of the month

Here’s the kicker: there’s a two-cycle delay between submitting and getting paid.

• Submit in Cycle 1 → Paid on the 15th of the following month
• Submit in Cycle 2 → Paid on the last day of the following month

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Example Timeline: The Feb 11 Track

• Visit Date: September 12, 2025
• Cycle During Visit: September 1–15, 2025
• Last Day to Submit: September 30, 2025
• Paid if Submitted in Cycle 1: October 15, 2025
• Paid if Submitted in Cycle 2 (grace period): October 31, 2025

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Loula Pro Tips

• Submit visits as they happen—your future self will love you for it.
• Turn on portal notifications so you never miss a clarification request.
• Think of the Loula Cycle like a train: early is fabulous, on time is fine, late means you’re waving goodbye to that paycheck.

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Why Loula’s Cycle Really Matters

A steady pay rhythm isn’t just nice to have—it’s a lifeline for most doula practices. California’s prompt-payment law requires health plans to reimburse “clean claims” within 30 calendar days of receipt, but that’s an ideal scenario. In reality, payers often contest or deny claims, triggering extra paperwork and stretching the process to 30–90 days or more. Every time a claim is questioned, your income stream can stall while you wait for approvals, re-submissions, and appeals.

Loula’s two-cycle payout schedule is designed to smooth out those bumps. By aligning its payroll with the natural lag in insurance reimbursements, Loula absorbs the unpredictable waiting game on your behalf. You still submit visits promptly, but instead of chasing down multiple payers or worrying about late penalties and interest calculations, you can count on a predictable semi-monthly deposit. That reliability protects your cash flow, helps with budgeting, and keeps your focus where it belongs—supporting families, not tracking down payments.

Bottom Line: Stay in step with the Loula Cycle and your payments will keep hitting your account like clockwork—no off-beat surprises, just steady doula dollars.

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10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Loula Cycle?

The Loula Cycle is Loula’s semi-monthly payment schedule designed for doulas. Payments follow two repeating periods: Cycle 1 runs from the 1st–15th of each month, and Cycle 2 covers the 16th–last day of the month. Doulas are paid on a two-cycle delay, creating a predictable rhythm so you always know when money is coming.

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2. How soon after submitting visits will I be paid?

Payments arrive about one full cycle later. If you submit during Cycle 1, you’re paid on the 15th of the following month. If you submit during Cycle 2, expect payment on the last day of the following month.

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3. When is the deadline to submit a visit?

You must submit visits during the cycle they occur or by the very next cycle. For example, a visit on September 7, 2025 must be entered no later than September 30, 2025. Submissions after that miss the payout train and will not be processed for that visit.

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4. What happens if I submit a visit late?

Late submissions aren’t eligible for the intended cycle. Loula requires on-time entries to maintain accurate billing and compliance, so missing the deadline may mean forfeiting that payment altogether.

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5. What is a “clarification request,” and how should I respond?

Sometimes Loula’s team needs additional details—such as confirming visit times or correcting typos. You’ll receive a portal message labeled “clarification request.” Reply within 48 hours to keep your payment on track. A slower response pushes your payout to the next cycle.

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6. How can I avoid missing a clarification request?

Enable portal notifications or email alerts. These reminders act like your personal metronome so you never miss Loula’s follow-up and can maintain smooth payment timing.

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7. What if I make a mistake entering visit information?

Double-check each entry before hitting submit. If you spot an error afterward, message Loula Support through the portal immediately. Prompt corrections help keep your visit eligible for the current cycle.

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8. Can I submit visits immediately after they happen?

Absolutely—and it’s the recommended approach. Submitting visits in real time protects you from deadline stress and ensures the Loula team has plenty of time to process and verify details.

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9. Are there any tips to keep payments flowing smoothly?

Yes:

• Submit visits the day they occur.
• Keep portal notifications on.
• Respond to clarification requests within 48 hours.
• Treat the Loula Cycle like a train schedule—being early or on time guarantees a seat (and a check).

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10. Why is there a two-cycle delay before payment?

The delay allows Loula to verify visit details, handle insurance processing, and ensure accurate payouts. Think of it as a buffer that keeps the whole payroll rhythm consistent and dependable for all doulas.