What is a Superbill and How Does It Work?

A superbill is a special receipt that your therapist gives you to show a session was conducted. It includes important details like the date of your appointment, the type of service provided, the diagnosis code, and how much you paid.

If we are out-of-network with your insurance company (meaning we are not contracted with your insurance and cannot bill your insurance directly), you can use the superbill to ask your insurance to count the amount paid towards your out-of-network deductible and/or for partial reimbursement—which means your insurance might pay you back for some of the cost, depending on your plan and out-of-network benefits.

Here’s how it works:

  1. You pay your therapist directly via headway or Simple Practice for the session.

  2. Request your superbill frequency , usually monthly but can also be bi-weekly

  3. You receive a superbill as per your frequency request

  4. You send the superbill to your insurance company (usually through their website or app).

  5. If your plan includes out-of-network benefits, your insurance may reimburse you for a portion of the session fee or The amount you paid for those sessions can be counted toward your out-of-network deductible, even if your insurance doesn’t reimburse you yet.

    Important Notes:

    • You must have an insurance plan that includes out-of-network coverage for this to apply.

    • Once your out-of-network deductible is met, your insurance may start reimbursing a portion of future sessions, based on your plan (often 50–80%).

    • If you're unsure, it’s helpful to call your insurance and ask:

      “Can I submit superbills from an out-of-network therapist to apply toward my out-of-network deductible?”

It’s a way to still use your insurance benefits—even if your therapist doesn’t take your insurance directly. The amount you get back depends on your specific plan, deductible, and out-of-network coverage.

Example:

Let’s say you pay $150 for a therapy session.

  • If your plan reimburses 60% and you have not meet your out-of-network deductible, your insurance might count the amount you paid toward your out-of-network deductible.

  • If your plan reimburses 60% and you have meet your out-of-network deductible, your insurance might send you a check for $90 after you submit the superbill.