What Is a Superbill?
A Guide to Getting Reimbursed for Therapy Sessions
If you’re paying out-of-pocket for therapy and want to make use of your out-of-network insurance benefits, you may have heard of something called a superbill. But what exactly is a superbill? How does it help you save money?
We’re here to break it down in simple terms.
You are worth investing in.
What Is a Superbill?
A superbill is essentially a detailed receipt that your therapist gives you so you can request reimbursement from your insurance company for sessions you’ve already paid for. It’s typically a one-page PDF that includes all the essential information insurance companies need to process your claim.
Think of a superbill as your proof of service a document that shows what services you received, when you received them, and why they were medically necessary.
How Does a Superbill Help You?
When you see a therapist who is out-of-network, you usually pay their full fee up front. However, if your insurance plan offers out-of-network benefits, you may be eligible to get 50–80% of the session cost reimbursed after meeting your deductible.
Let’s look at an example:
Suppose your therapist charges $125 per session and your insurance has a co-insurance rate of 30%. This means your insurance may reimburse you for 70% of the cost, which is $87.50. You would be responsible for the remaining $37.50.
Receiving this reimbursement can significantly reduce the financial burden of therapy and that’s where the superbill comes in.
What Information Is Included in a Superbill?
To be valid for reimbursement, a superbill needs to include very specific information. Here’s a breakdown:
Therapist Information:
Full name and professional credentials
Contact details: address, phone number, and email
Professional license number
Tax ID or EIN (Employer Identification Number)
National Provider Identifier (NPI)
Client (Patient) Information:
Full name
Date of birth
Mailing address
Diagnosis code (typically decided in agreement with your therapist)
Session Information:
Date of each therapy session (also called “date of service”)
Location of the session (e.g., office, telehealth)
Procedure code (explains what type of therapy service was provided)
Fee for each session
Total amount charged
Why Superbills Matter
Besides helping you get reimbursed, superbills offer transparency. They give you a clear record of the care you’ve received, which can be empowering, especially when managing your health and finances.
Having this information puts you in control:
You can see exactly what you’re paying for
You have documentation for taxes, health savings accounts (HSAs), or flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
You can track your therapy over time
Final Thoughts
Navigating insurance and mental health care can feel overwhelming, but superbills are a simple and powerful tool that helps you bridge the gap between private therapy and insurance support.
If you’re working with an out-of-network therapist, ask them if they can provide superbills. Many therapists are happy to do so and can even help guide you through the process of submitting them to your insurance provider.
Therapy is an investment in your well-being and superbills are one way to make that investment more affordable.
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