What is a superbill and how to write one
September 24, 2026
A superbill is an itemized statement you give a client so they can ask their own insurance company to reimburse them for out-of-network care. It is not a claim that you file. The client submits it, and the insurer decides what to pay.
What a superbill should include
Insurers differ, but most expect the same core details.
- Your name, credentials, address and license number
- Your National Provider Identifier (NPI) and tax ID
- The client's name, date of birth and address
- The date of each session
- A CPT code for each service, which says what was done
- An ICD-10 diagnosis code, which supports why it was needed
- The fee for each service and what the client paid
Choosing the CPT code
The American Psychological Association lists the common psychotherapy codes by session length.
| Code | Service | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 90832 | Psychotherapy, 30 minutes with the patient | 16 to 37 minutes |
| 90834 | Psychotherapy, 45 minutes with the patient | 38 to 52 minutes |
| 90837 | Psychotherapy, 60 minutes with the patient | 53 minutes or more |
The code should match your session note. A 50 minute session belongs under 90834, and a code for a longer session than you delivered can cause a denial or a problem later. Family, group and crisis sessions have their own codes.
Telehealth visits
Many insurers ask that video sessions be identified, often with a modifier on the CPT code and a place of service code. Requirements vary by insurer, so check the client's plan or ask their insurer what it expects.
Set expectations with the client
A superbill only leads to a payment when the client's plan covers out-of-network care, and some plans, including many HMO plans, have no out-of-network benefit at all. Suggest that clients ask their insurer three things before they start. Do they have out-of-network mental health benefits, what is the deductible, and what percentage is reimbursed. Then a client is not surprised by the result.
Give it in the same format every time
A consistent layout, one line per session, with the codes filled in from your records, saves clients and their insurers from back and forth. RafaNest generates a superbill from your appointment and record data, with your NPI and the CPT and ICD-10 codes already filled in.
The CPT time ranges come from the American Psychological Association's psychotherapy code guide. This is general information and not billing or legal advice.