Where Headway’s earnings come from (and where they go)
Our vast network of providers like you makes it possible to secure better rates for everyone — without charging to use our platform.
As a partner to thousands of mental healthcare providers, we believe it's important to be clear about how Headway makes money and reinvests in our shared success.
Headway makes it easier for mental healthcare providers to take insurance by handling administrative work that typically gets in the way: credentialing, billing, claims, insurance verification, notes, and payment. Headway negotiates with health plans on your behalf to push for stronger rates, because better contracts mean better outcomes for you and your clients.
In order to take this work off your plate, we need to earn money to invest in the systems, processes, and people who make it possible. But we’ve built our model to put providers first. This article breaks down how it all works: how we get paid, how we advocate for you, and how we make sure you’re paid on time — even when insurance is delayed.
Because at the end of the day, we succeed when you do.
Headway’s business model puts providers first
We work directly with insurance companies to negotiate rates for our providers. When we win strong contracts with health plans, we’re able to offer competitive payouts to providers. We keep a small percentage of session payments to support our operations — things like credentialing, claims, and provider support.
The amount we’re able to keep depends on the strength of the rates we’re able to negotiate. When a plan offers lower rates, we don’t always earn money on sessions.
No matter what the negotiation yields, we still pay Headway providers on time every two weeks — whether or not we’ve been reimbursed by the insurance company.
We’ve built our model to work for you.
How much does Headway pay providers?
Session rates for Headway providers vary depending on factors like license type and insurance plan. Headway can match you with a practice consultant who can quote rates for your practice in your first call together.
Health plans don’t hand out better contracts — we have to earn them. Headway approaches every negotiation with a goal: create a win-win situation that supports provider sustainability and improves patient access to care.
Here’s what goes into that process:
1. We demonstrate provider value.
Our team works directly with health plans to show why our provider network matters. We highlight the strengths of our network — from geographic reach and appointment availability to patient outcomes and quality metrics.
2. We understand health plan priorities.
Every insurance plan has its own goals, whether it's expanding access in different areas, increasing diversity in provider networks, meeting demand for specialized care, or reducing ER visits. Our job is to understand what matters most to each one, and then show how providers like you help meet those needs. That’s what allows us to push for rates that truly reflect your value.
3. We showcase our value over time.
Through robust relationships with health plans, we open the door to ongoing conversations about how to build the best partnership. Many of our contracts are multi-year — we use the time between formal negotiations to continue showcasing our network’s value with data.
Once Headway has reached an agreement with a health plan, we take a few key steps to make sure it works for every provider on our platform:
We set competitive provider rates first based on the plan, the provider’s location, and the types of services they offer. These rates are designed to be competitive and sustainable.
Then, if the contract allows, we determine what portion of each eligible session we can keep to support the work we do — like filing claims, managing credentialing, and building the tools that keep our providers’ practices running smoothly.
Every contract is different. Some are straightforward, while others require long-term negotiation. In either case, our focus stays the same: helping providers like you get in-network and paid fairly for your work.
How Headway manages claims and protects your income
Getting strong rates is just one part of the process. After sessions take place, we file claims with insurance and follow up to make sure they’re paid.
Sometimes, that takes time — weeks or even months. But you don’t have to wait. You’re paid every two weeks, regardless of when (or if) we’re reimbursed.
If a claim is denied, we absorb that risk, not you. You won’t have to chase down payments or re-submit paperwork. That’s on us.
Here’s an example of what that looks like in action:
A provider sees a client on April 8.
They confirm the session, and we submit the claim to the insurer.
The provider is paid on April 30th, as part of our regular cycle — even though the claim may not be paid out to Headway until June or July.
And if it’s never paid? We take on that burden so the provider still keeps their earnings.
That’s the stability we believe you deserve.
Where Headway’s earnings go
The revenue we earn helps us keep Headway free for both providers and patients — and powers everything we do to support your practice.
We invest in:
Credentialing and health plan relationships
Claims and billing support
Reliable payments
Tools and systems that simplify your day-to-day
The team that makes this work happen
Simply put: we earn when we’re able to deliver value — and we reinvest it to make your work easier.
How this shows up in your practice
What does this mean for your day-to-day? Fewer barriers, more support:
Rates that reflect your value: We advocate for rates that vary appropriately by market, service, and plan — not one-size-fits-all flat rates.
Fast and free credentialing: We manage the credentialing from start to finish and expedite your approval whenever possible.
Reliable payments: You get paid every two weeks, no matter when insurers pay us.
No payment risk: We handle claim delays and denials so you don’t have to.
No membership fees: There are no upfront costs to join our network and no hidden fees.
Efficiency that protects your time: From scheduling to billing, we’ve built systems to save you hours — not add them.
To learn more about how Headway can support your practice, schedule a call with a Headway practice consultant.
If you want an inside look at how our team works with health plans to advocate for the best possible arrangements, watch our video — Enhancing relationships with health plans — to hear Headway’s manager of clinical education, Michael Heckendorn, explain more.
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