When your practice doesn’t bill insurance directly, your patients still need a way to get reimbursed for their care. That’s where superbills come in. A superbill is a detailed summary of a patient visit that you provide to the patient, so they can submit it to their insurance for possible reimbursement.
Superbills are especially useful for private-pay practices, out-of-network providers, and those who want to simplify operations while still supporting their patients financially.
A superbill is a one-page document used in medical billing that lists the services provided during a patient’s appointment. While it's not a bill or an insurance claim, it contains all the information needed by insurance companies to process a reimbursement request from the patient.
It typically includes the patient’s diagnosis codes (ICD-10 codes), procedural codes (CPT codes), the provider’s contact information and credentials, and the dates and types of health services provided. The patient submits the superbill to their insurance provider, who reviews it and, depending on the patient’s insurance plan, may reimburse them for some or all of the out-of-pocket expenses.
Think of it as a bridge between clinical care and insurance. It lets your patient take the next step without adding more work to your team's plate.
Superbills are commonly used by providers who don’t directly submit claims to insurance, including:
A well-prepared superbill contains all the data that insurance companies need to evaluate a patient’s claim. Below is a breakdown of both required and optional elements commonly included during superbill creation.
Including this relevant information helps avoid delays in processing and increases the likelihood of a successful out-of-network claim.
While superbills contain many details about the visit, some items are deliberately excluded or must be handled elsewhere in the billing process:
This is why patients must review their insurance coverage and out-of-network benefits before submitting the superbill.
Here’s how the process usually works:
For providers who are not part of an insurance network, a superbill often takes the place of a standard insurance claim. Instead of the provider submitting the claim directly, the patient uses the superbill to request reimbursement from their insurance plan. This allows practices to support patients financially without participating in complex billing processes.
This approach is common among providers who:
Even when a patient submits a superbill properly, the insurance claim can be denied. These are some of the most common causes:
Being proactive helps reduce patient frustration and limits back-and-forth with the insurance company.
Reimbursement depends on the patient’s coverage. Some plans may offer partial reimbursement for out-of-network services, while others may not cover them at all.
You can help patients set the right expectations. At check-in or check-out, you might:
Patients who feel supported during this process are more likely to return and refer others, even when you’re an out-of-network provider.
No, a superbill is not the same as an invoice. While an invoice is a request for payment or a receipt showing payment made, a superbill is a detailed summary of the clinical care provided. It includes diagnosis codes, procedure descriptions, provider details, and service dates, information needed by insurance companies to evaluate a reimbursement request.
An invoice is about money exchanged, while a superbill is about the medical services delivered.
Generally, no. If your practice is submitting claims directly to insurance companies, the patient doesn’t need a superbill for reimbursement. However, there are still situations where one might be useful. A patient may request a superbill for their personal records, to coordinate benefits with secondary insurance, or if they plan to file an out-of-network claim on their own.
Yes. Systems like Amazing Charts allow you to auto-generate superbills directly from the visit documentation. This makes it easier to capture the correct CPT codes, ICD-10 codes, and other required fields.
If a superbill contains incorrect codes or missing information, it can lead to claim denials or delayed reimbursement for the patient. This often results in confusion, additional phone calls, and frustration for everyone involved. That’s why it’s important to review each superbill for accuracy before handing it to the patient. A quick check for correct codes, complete provider info, and legibility can go a long way in avoiding preventable issues down the road.
Always use the most current CPT and ICD-10 codes. Conduct annual code reviews with your billing team to stay up to date.
Set up pre-filled templates for routine visit types (e.g., wellness exams, minor injuries). This saves time, improves consistency, and reduces documentation errors.
Ensure front-desk and billing staff understand the components of a complete superbill. Well-informed staff can better support patients and answer questions about the process.
If you’re using Amazing Charts, you already have tools built in to help with superbills. You can:
Whether you handle billing in-house or not, Amazing Charts can help you support your patients in getting reimbursed, without adding complexity to your day.