Closeup of hand writing on a superbillA superbill is a detailed invoice outlining the services a client received. Therapists may need to generate a superbill when they are not on a client's insurance company's panel. The therapist or client submits the superbill straight to the insurer, giving the insurer all the data they need to pay the claim.

Superbill Definition: Therapy Superbill Basics

You lot do not need to give a client a superbill when they request their medical records or an invoice. Instead, therapy superbills are documents for insurance carriers. They provide detailed, specific data well-nigh the services a therapist or other health care provider rendered to a client. They may also provide data well-nigh the client's diagnosis.

In most cases, y'all will demand to submit a dissever superbill for each treatment session.

In 2015, the tenth edition of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) went into effect. This means that all providers must result ICD-10 superbills that apply updated diagnostic codes. Some therapists may likewise have to update their forms or treatment notes to make information technology easier to comply with ICD-ten and provide the right code for each service and diagnosis. A superbill without the correct codes may be rejected, delaying payment.

Either the client or the therapist can submit a superbill. Talk over your expectations for submitting a superbill before beginning a therapeutic relationship. Considering creating a superbill can exist time-consuming, information technology is also important for every therapist to assess whether they have the time to do so.

Therapists with very busy practices may opt only to accept clients who pay in greenbacks or who have insurance that directly pays for the therapist's services. This may decrease admission to services for some clients, especially those with fewer resources, then every therapist must weigh the costs and benefits of their insurance and payment policies.

Why Some Therapists Cull Superbills

Getting listed on an insurer's provider panel is a great manner to be promptly paid for therapy, while making services more accessible to clients who cannot afford to pay out-of-pocket. Joining a provider panel, nevertheless, can be a long and involved procedure, especially since you have to use for each private panel and in that location may exist dozens of insurers in your area.

A superbill allows yous to accept insurance without existence listed on a provider panel. This is a peachy pick for therapists who:

  • Exercise not want to bring together a provider panel
  • Are awaiting acceptance to a provider panel
  • Only want to join some provider panels
  • Want to accept payments from smaller or bottom known insurers but do not have the time or resources to join these insurers' panels

How Superbill Payments Piece of work

A superbill is distinct from a traditional invoice submitted to the client or insurance. This is considering the insurer pays the customer, not the therapist, fifty-fifty if the therapist is the 1 who submits the superbill. With a superbill, the insurer assumes the client has already paid, and that any payment is therefore a reimbursement.

Therapists who routinely draft superbills or who practice non straight take insurance payments should bill clients at the terminate of each session. Otherwise, there is no guarantee of payment, even if a client eventually receives reimbursement after submitting a superbill. A clear and specific discussion of billing practices—including whether you offer discounted or sliding-scale rates—can protect the therapeutic relationship and protect the customer form harmful financial surprises.

Superbill Template: What to Include in Your Mental Health Superbill

Numerous companies brand superbilling software designed to aid you lot quickly fill up out superbills. If you lot go this route, it's important to ensure the program protects client confidentiality and asks for the correct information. Y'all can too make your own counseling superbill template.

A complete superbill includes all of the following information:

  • Identifying information nearly your client: This includes their proper name, engagement of birth, address, phone number, and any other information the insurer requires. Double-check this information with your customer, since small differences and errors—such as a recently changed name or an incorrect centre initial—may trigger a rejection.
  • Exercise information: This is the name of your practice and office address, equally well every bit any other identifying information the insurer routinely requests.
  • Referrer identification: If a medical provider referred the client to you, include this provider'south information and address, equally well as their National Provider Identification (NPI) number. All providers practicing in the U.S. have this 10-digit identification code.
  • ICD code: Most insurers will non embrace handling without a diagnosis, and some volition only cover specific treatments for specific diagnoses. You must use ICD-ten codes. If you take not previously discussed a specific diagnosis with your client, practise so before submitting the superbill. Some clients are troubled to see their diagnosis, and others want to know that the diagnosis is correct.
  • CPT lawmaking: The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code uses a list of American Medical Association codes to identify treatment procedures. List all relevant CPT codes, non just the first one you find, since reimbursement rates may be based on the specific codes.

Accepting insurance tin can be a challenging process that requires a therapist to employ to numerous panels. Superbilling offers a halfway point, empowering more than clients to pay for therapy with their insurance but without requiring the therapist to jump through the many hoops provider panels require.

GoodTherapy offers therapists numerous resources to run more efficient, profitable, and helpful practices. Membership is a smashing fashion to invest in your practice and your clients. Consider joining today!

References:

  1. Endicott, Yard. (2015, June 5). Superbill and forms revision for ICD-ten. Physicians Practice, 25. Retrieved from https://www.physicianspractice.com/icd-ten/superbill-and-forms-revision-icd-ten
  2. Superbills: ICD-9 vs. ICD-ten. (n. d.). Retrieved from https://world wide web.aapc.com/icd-10/superbills.aspx
  3. What is a superbill, and how do they work? (due north. d.). Retrieved from https://world wide web.carecloud.com/continuum/what-is-a-superbill
  4. What is a superbill and why should I provide one? (north. d.). Retrieved from https://blog.gethealthie.com/2016/07/24/what-is-a-super-nib-and-why-should-i-provide-one