Your Super Guide to Superbills

Updated July 14, 2022

For independent practitioners, making sure your clients are billed accurately and in a timely fashion can be a tedious task. Dealing with all the back-and-forth of collecting reimbursement directly from insurance companies takes a lot of your time. Spending time on billing cuts into the time you have to consult with your clients to help them reach their health goals. Never mind the payment delays, benefit confusion, and myriad of other problems that can come up in the process. Talk about exhausting.

Thankfully, Superbills are here to make your life, and the lives of your clients, a lot easier.

What is a Superbill?

A Superbill (or Insurance Superbill) is a standardized, detailed invoice given directly to clients as a receipt after they’ve paid for your services. They’re commonly used if you don’t accept insurance in your practice or are “out of network” for your client’s insurance plan.

Often used in direct pay practices or those who have moved away from insurance billing, Superbills are perfect for health practitioners looking to simplify their billing services. By streamlining their billing, practitioners can focus on providing the ultimate client experience. Some clients pay for services and get reimbursed from insurance companies themselves. In this case, using a Superbill for insurance can make their lives simpler as it has all the information they need to submit the claim, including the diagnosis and service/procedure codes.

Why do Superbills Matter to me?

Delays, complications, and all kinds of other issues can pop up when you’re in-between your clients and their insurance company. However, billing your clients directly with Superbills can greatly reduce stress and give you some time back. They’re also a value-add for your practice as they can help clients get full or partial reimbursement for your services (if their policies allow).

By offering Superbills, you get paid upfront and your client gets their Superbill as a receipt. If you’re using Practice Better for client management, you can quickly and easily generate Superbills. Then, your clients can access them directly in their private and secure Client Portal. 

Once a client receives their Superbill for insurance, they pay you directly, either at the time of service or via invoice sent to them at a later date–whichever you prefer. Clients can then submit their Superbill to their insurance provider to receive a full or partial reimbursement. Not only does this process clear a ton of work off of your plate, it also streamlines your administrative life. The best part? You won’t have to wait for payments because of insurer delays, so you can enjoy some financial peace of mind.

Are Superbills Valuable to my Clients?

Sometimes insurance plans can be tough to navigate as they’re full of legal jargon. Superbills get rid of the guesswork, plus they’re a great option if you’re switching over from an insurance-based practice. Some clients will seek out cash-based practices because they are looking for a particular type of practice or service, and some are willing to pay out of pocket, at least until they are reimbursed. Providing Superbills can give your clients the opportunity to get some of their reimbursement back, even if you’re not in their plan network. That makes your practice an attractive option.  

Also, keep in mind that having a third party, like yourself, handling insurance claims can make things just as messy and complicated for your clients as it does for you. Not knowing whether they’ve submitted a claim correctly or on-time can add stress for clients. Superbills gives clients control over the process. By giving them a Superbill, they can submit the detailed receipt directly to their insurance company themselves, eliminating uncertainty and streamlining the whole process. With a lighter workload for you and less stress for your clients, it’s truly a win-win all around. 

What Information goes into a Superbill?

1. Basic client information such as name, age, date of birth, and contact information
2. Your practice’s information such as office address, phone number, etc. 
3. Provider’s information including names and National Provider Identifier (NPI) in the U.S. or Medical Identification Number (MINC) in Canada, as applicable
4. ICD or International Classification of Diseases code(s) for medical diagnoses
5. CPT or Current Procedural Terminology code(s) for any and all services rendered 

Still not convinced whether to incorporate Superbills into your practice? We asked the Practice Better community why they love Superbills and here’s what they had to say:

• “Superbills are a very important part of my practice. I don’t take insurance, so very often provide them for families. It’s nice to have an easy and straightforward way to create them.” – Rachel R. MS, RD, CLEC  
• “I use Superbills when a patient wants to submit to their insurance company to see if they can get any out of network coverage for their appointments with me.”
  – Dr. Meredith Rusthoven DNP, CNM, BSN, RN
• Since I do not bill insurance directly, I always use superbills for those people who want reimbursement. – Dr. Danielle Cornelius DC
• “I love that Superbills are super easy to populate and use. When I make an invoice, I immediately then make a superbill.” – Meg Bowman MS, CNS, LDN
• “Since I take insurance for Nutrition Counseling, I provide Superbills through Practice Better, when I do testing that is out of network – such as a Food Sensitivity Test. Patients download their Superbills through Practice Better, and submit to their insurance.” – Ellen Metzger MS, RD, CLT

By offering Superbills within your practice, you may be able to help your clients better afford your services (something that also goes a long way in attracting new ones). Why wait? You can generate Superbills quickly and easily in Practice Better to start offering them to your clients.  Visit our help center for a step-by-step walkthrough to learn how to create, edit, and send Superbills in no time.

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Practice Better is the complete practice management platform for nutritionists, dietitians, and wellness professionals. Streamline your practice and begin your 14-day free trial today.