WAGONER, OKLA (KTUL) — Employees at Wagoner Community Hospital were expecting their March 13th paycheck but instead were notified via email their payroll would be delayed.

News Channel 8 reached out to the Wagoner Community Hospital asking for an interview. Hospital administrators told us they were not available for an interview but did provide a statement. They told us the payroll delay was caused by what they described as soft business deposits during the most recent payroll cycle.

Soft business deposits would be considered payments from insurance companies, patients, or government reimbursements.

In the statement, the hospital said payer deposits can and do fluctuate up and down. The hospital also stated a wire will be sent out first thing Tuesday morning to initiate the direct deposit wages for its associates.

“Typically, what happens is that a hospital will treat a patient, they’ll file their insurance, and it may be that the insurance company only pays 60 cents on a dollar that’s owed,” Oklahoma Hospital Association President Rich Rasmussen said.

In a local Wagoner Facebook group, there was a post from people saying they received an email about a temporary $200 advance they could request while waiting for their paychecks.

News Channel 8 was told the advance would later be deducted from a future paycheck once payroll is processed.

This isn’t the first time the hospital has faced payroll concerns.

Last year, the Wagoner City Council held an emergency meeting and approved a $350,000 loan to help the hospital make payroll after federal funding was delayed. The hospital paid the city back.

Oklahoma Hospital Association President Rich Rasmussen said delayed payments from insurance companies can create financial pressure for hospitals across the country. Hospitals may have to wait months to receive the full payment they’re owed, while continuing to cover expenses like staffing and payroll.

“More and more resources are spent trying to collect that money, and hospitals then struggle to ensure they can meet all of their obligations because the payments are delayed,” Rasmussen said.

Wagoner City Councilor Nathaniel Wilson released a statement on Facebook saying in part, “Employees who have performed their duties and worked their scheduled hours have the right to receive the wages they have earned.”

Wilson also stated he is requesting additional information about the situation and has asked for an emergency meeting to address concerns about the payroll delay.

News Channel 8 also asked hospital officials if any employees did not show up to work. They told us they do not have an exact number but that they believe less than 10 out of 200 associates.