Payer mix variance analysis is used to

• A. Forecast patient satisfaction by payer type.
• B. Analyze differences between actual payer mix and budgeted mix and their impact on net revenue and margins; helps adjust pricing, contracting, and budgeting.
• C. Determine capital structure and debt capacity.
• D. Evaluate clinical outcomes by payer.

Answer: (B)

Payer mix variance analysis focuses on how the actual mix of patients by payer type compares with what was budgeted, and how those differences flow through to net revenue and margins. This makes it the best fit because it directly ties the mix of payers to financial performance and informs actions on pricing, contracting terms, and budgeting to manage profitability. Other options don’t align with the goal: forecasting satisfaction by payer type is a quality/experience metric, not a financial variance analysis; determining capital structure is about financing and debt capacity; and evaluating clinical outcomes by payer concentrates on care results rather than revenue implications of payer mix.