Superbills Made Simple: How to Get Reimbursed for Out-of-Network Physical Therapy

Many people assume that if a provider doesn’t take insurance, they’re out of luck, but that’s not the case. If you have out-of-network benefits, you may be eligible to get a significant portion of your physical therapy costs reimbursed through a document called a superbill.

This guide breaks it all down: what a superbill is, how to use it, and what kind of reimbursement you can realistically expect.

What Is a Superbill?

A superbill is a detailed receipt that includes everything your insurance company needs to process a claim for out-of-network reimbursement. It’s not a regular invoice, it contains specific billing codes, diagnoses, provider info, and session details required by insurers.

You pay for your sessions up front (out-of-pocket) and then submit the superbill to your insurance provider to see if you qualify for partial reimbursement.

What’s Included in a Superbill?

- Your name and date of service

- ICD-10 diagnosis codes

- CPT treatment codes (e.g., 97110 for therapeutic exercise)

- Provider name, credentials, NPI number, and business address

- Session duration and amount paid- Tax ID (if applicable)

The therapist provides all of this automatically for clients who request a superbill, no extra work on your end.

How to Submit a Superbill

1. Contact your insurance company and ask:

- “Do I have out-of-network benefits for physical therapy?” 

- “What is my deductible and how much have I met?” 

- “Do you reimburse CPT codes like 97110, 97530, 97140, or 97112?”

2. After your session(s), the therapist will provide your superbill.

3. You upload or email the superbill to your insurer through their claims portal.

4. If approved, your insurance sends you a reimbursement check.

How Much Can You Expect to Get Back?

It varies by insurance plan, but here’s a general idea:

Session Type	Typical Rate	Reimbursed %	Estimated Reimbursement
Evaluation (CPT 97161)	$200	50–80%	$100–$160
Follow-up Session	$150	50–80%	$75–$120

Example:If your deductible is $1,000 and you’ve already met it, and your plan reimburses at 70%, you’d receive $105 back for a $150 session.

Common Questions

Q: Does everyone get reimbursed?A: No — it depends on your individual insurance plan and whether you’ve met your out-of-network deductible.

Q: Can I submit multiple sessions at once?A: Yes. Many clients submit one superbill per month covering all sessions.

Q: Do I need a physician referral?A: Some plans require a doctor’s referral for reimbursement. Ask your insurer.

Q: Will I know upfront how much I’ll get back?A: Not always. Your insurance can give you an estimated allowable rate, but final reimbursement varies.

Why This Matters for You

Paying cash for physical therapy doesn’t always mean paying full price. By using superbills and taking advantage of your out-of-network benefits, you can reduce your long-term cost, often by hundreds or even thousands of dollars over a care plan.

The therapist makes it easy by:

- Providing ready-to-submit superbills with all correct codes

- Helping you understand the process

- Offering packages to reduce upfront costs even more

Need a Superbill? Just Ask.

If you're an existing client or considering working together, let me know you'd like a superbill and I’ll handle the rest.

Let’s make the system work for you, not against you.