Cost & Cash-Pay
What Is a Superbill and How Do I Use It?
By Dr. Stacey Forbes, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Key Takeaways
- A superbill is an itemized receipt from a cash-pay provider that you submit to your insurer to request out-of-network reimbursement.
- It includes the diagnosis and procedure (CPT) codes insurers need to process a claim.
- You pay the provider directly, then your insurer reimburses you based on your out-of-network benefits.
- Call your insurer first to confirm out-of-network mental-health coverage and how to submit.
A superbill is simply an itemized receipt built for insurance. When you see a cash-pay provider, you pay them directly — then you use the superbill to ask your own insurance company to pay you back part of the cost through your out-of-network benefits.
What a superbill actually contains
- Provider information and credentials (NPI number)
- Date(s) of service
- Diagnosis code(s) (ICD-10)
- Procedure/service code(s) (CPT) — e.g., evaluation or medication management
- The fee you paid and proof of payment
How to use a superbill, step by step
- Confirm your benefits. Call the number on your insurance card and ask: “Do I have out-of-network outpatient mental-health benefits, and what is my out-of-network deductible and reimbursement rate?”
- Attend your visit and pay directly. You pay the practice’s published fee at the time of service.
- Request your superbill. Your provider gives you the itemized superbill (Willow & Stone provides one for every visit).
- Submit it to your insurer. Most plans accept superbills through an online portal, app, or by mail, sometimes with a simple claim form.
- Receive reimbursement. If you have out-of-network benefits, your insurer reimburses you directly — often a meaningful portion of the fee.
What reimbursement to expect
It depends entirely on your plan. Some plans reimburse a set percentage after an out-of-network deductible; others reimburse a portion of an “allowed amount.” There’s no universal number, which is why the first phone call to your insurer matters — it tells you what to expect before you begin.
Why practices use superbills instead of billing insurance
Billing insurance directly requires practices to accept insurer rules that often shorten visits and limit care. By staying cash-pay and providing superbills, an integrative practice can offer longer, root-cause appointments while still helping you recover part of the cost through your benefits.
Common Questions
What is a superbill in simple terms?
It’s an itemized receipt with the diagnosis and service codes your insurer needs. You pay your provider directly, then submit the superbill to request out-of-network reimbursement.
Does a superbill guarantee I’ll be reimbursed?
No — reimbursement depends on your plan’s out-of-network benefits. Call your insurer first to confirm coverage, your deductible, and the reimbursement rate.
Does Willow & Stone provide superbills?
Yes. As a cash-pay practice, Willow & Stone provides an itemized superbill for every visit so you can seek out-of-network reimbursement.
Sources & Further Reading
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Learn how Dr. Stacey Forbes, DNP, PMHNP-BC, approaches cash-pay telehealth psychiatry at Willow & Stone — integrative, cash-pay telehealth care. Book a consultation →
Dr. Stacey Forbes, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and founder of Willow & Stone Integrative Mental Health. Nearly two decades of clinical experience; integrative, root-cause psychiatry via telehealth. Licensed in Texas & New Mexico.
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