Did you know that you can pay out of pocket for therapy and possibly get some of that money back from your insurance company? If you’ve never come across the term superbill, it’s a detailed statement your therapist provides that includes everything your insurance company needs to process an out-of-network claim. Unlike a standard receipt, it lists service codes, dates, your therapist’s information, and the fees you paid—all in a format insurance companies understand.

In short: a superbill is your ticket to asking your insurance provider, “Can you reimburse me part of what I’ve already paid?”

What Information Does a Superbill Include?

A therapy superbill usually contains:

• Your name and date of birth
• Your therapist’s name, credentials, and license number
• Your therapist’s NPI (National Provider Identifier)
• Date(s) of service
• CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes for the service (e.g., 90837 for a 60-minute individual session)
• ICD-10 diagnosis code(s)
• The fee charged for the session and the amount you paid

This document is what you submit directly to your insurance company to request reimbursement.

How to Know if Your Insurance Will Reimburse You

Not all plans reimburse for out-of-network therapy, and even if they do, reimbursement amounts vary. The best way to find out is to call your insurance company directly and ask the right questions.

To make this easier, here’s a script you can use.

Script for Calling Your Insurance Company About Superbill Reimbursement

Step 1: Gather Info First
Before calling, have ready:

• Your insurance card
• The CPT code your therapist uses (often 90837 for 60-minute sessions)
• Your therapist’s zip code and NPI (your therapist will provide this)

Step 2: Use This Script

“Hi, my name is [Your Name]. I’m calling to ask about my out-of-network mental health benefits. I want to know if I can submit a superbill from my therapist for reimbursement. Can I ask you a few questions?”

1. Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits on my plan?
2. If yes, what percentage of the session fee will be reimbursed?
3. What is the allowed amount for CPT code 90837 (individual therapy, 60 minutes) in my area?
4. What is my deductible for out-of-network services, and how much of it have I met?
5. Is there a limit to how many sessions will be reimbursed per year?
6. How do I submit a superbill for reimbursement, and what address, fax, or portal should I use?

End with:
“Thank you so much for your help. Just to confirm, once I submit a superbill with CPT code 90837, I’ll be reimbursed at [X%] of the allowed amount after my deductible—correct?”

Here’s some examples of the possible outcomes:

Example 1: 70% Reimbursement After Deductible

• Your therapist charges: $150
• Insurance “allowed amount” for that service: $100
• Your deductible is already met.
• Insurance reimburses 70% of $100 = $70
• You paid $150 out of pocket → Insurance sends you $70 back → Your actual cost is $80

Example 2: Deductible Not Met Yet

• Your therapist charges: $150
• Insurance “allowed amount”: $120
• You still owe $300 toward your deductible.
• Insurance applies the $120 allowed amount to your deductible → You get $0 reimbursed now
• But! You’re now $120 closer to meeting your deductible.
• After you meet it, reimbursement will start kicking in at your plan’s percentage (like 70% or 80%).

Example 3: 80% Reimbursement, Higher Allowed Amount

• Your therapist charges: $200
• Insurance “allowed amount”: $180
• Deductible already met.
• Insurance reimburses 80% of $180 = $144
• You paid $200 → Insurance sends you $144 back → Your actual cost is $56

1. The therapist’s fee isn’t always the “allowed amount.” Insurance has its own numbers.
2. You only get reimbursed after the deductible is met. Until then, claims just chip away at the deductible.
3. Percentages apply to the allowed amount, not the full fee you paid.

Using Superbills to Save Money on Therapy

A superbill for therapy doesn’t guarantee full reimbursement, but it at least gives you the chance to get back a portion of your out-of-pocket costs. For many clients, this makes self-pay therapy more affordable and sustainable. And the best part? You keep the privacy and flexibility of self-pay while still having the option to request insurance reimbursement on your terms.

Want to work with a therapist who provides easy-to-submit superbills? Request a consultation with me today and start investing in therapy that works for you.