You found a therapist you connect with, but they don’t take your insurance. Does that mean therapy is financially out of reach?
Maybe not. While we don’t accept insurance directly at Firefly Therapy Austin, we can prepare what’s called a superbill that you can submit to your health insurance provider for reimbursement. Many of our clients get a significant portion of their therapy costs back this way. The process is more straightforward than it sounds and can typically be done entirely online.
What Is a Superbill?
A superbill is a detailed receipt for your therapy sessions. Think of it as a comprehensive invoice that contains all the information your insurance company needs to reimburse you for out-of-network mental health services.
Unlike in-network providers who bill your insurance company directly, we provide you with the superbill, and you handle the submission. This gives you greater control over the process and real advantages to your therapy experience.
How Does It Work?
At the end of each month (or whenever you need one), we’ll provide you with a superbill for your sessions. You submit the superbill to your insurance company along with their reimbursement claim form. For most insurance providers, this can be done entirely online. Every insurance plan is different, and the amount of reimbursement will depend on your specific out-of-network benefits.
What’s Included in a Superbill?
Your superbill contains the specific details insurance companies require to process reimbursement claims. This includes your therapist’s credentials and license information, the dates of your sessions, and diagnosis codes (standardized codes for mental health conditions). You’ll also see procedure codes that describe the type of treatment provided, such as individual or family therapy, along with the cost of each session and our practice’s tax ID and contact information.
Insurance companies require all of these elements to process your claim for reimbursement. We make sure everything is formatted correctly so your claim goes through smoothly.
What to Expect for Reimbursement
Reimbursement rates vary significantly based on your specific insurance plan and out-of-network benefits. Many clients receive reimbursement rates of 50-80% of the session cost, depending on whether you’ve met your out-of-network deductible, your plan’s out-of-network coverage percentage, and any annual or per-session limits.
Most insurance companies process claims within 2-6 weeks. You’ll typically receive reimbursement as a check or direct deposit.
Can You Use Your HSA or FSA?
Yes, and this is worth knowing about. If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you can use these funds to pay for therapy sessions immediately. You don’t have to wait for insurance reimbursement.
Why We Use Superbills Instead of Taking Insurance
Paying upfront and handling reimbursement yourself can feel intimidating, especially when you’re already stressed about whatever brought you to therapy. We get it.
We’ve chosen this approach because it serves you better. When we’re not spending hours on insurance paperwork, we can dedicate that time and energy to your treatment. Your privacy is better protected since we share only the basic information on the superbill itself. If we accepted insurance directly, we’d need to submit your detailed treatment notes and progress reports to your insurer on a regular basis.
You get to choose your therapist based on fit rather than network restrictions. Research shows that finding the right therapist is one of the most significant predictors of successful therapy outcomes. Insurance company limitations on session length, frequency, or treatment approaches don’t constrain us. If you need longer sessions or more frequent appointments during a difficult time, we can do that. You and your therapist decide together what’s best without fighting for session approvals.
Common Questions About Superbills
What if my claim gets denied?
If your claim is denied, contact your insurance company to find out why. Sometimes it’s a simple paperwork issue that can be corrected and resubmitted. We’re happy to help you understand what happened and provide any additional documentation needed.
How often will I get a superbill?
We typically provide superbills monthly, but we can issue them more or less frequently based on your reimbursement process. Just let us know your preference.
Do I need to submit claims immediately?
Most insurance companies have a deadline for submitting claims (often within one year of the service date), but you don’t have to submit after every session. Many clients batch several months together to reduce paperwork.
What if I don’t have out-of-network benefits?
Some people don’t have out-of-network coverage but still choose to work with us because of the benefits we’ve described, using HSA/FSA funds or budgeting for therapy as an essential health investment. We understand this is a significant decision, and we’re happy to discuss payment options during your consultation.
Ready to Get Started?
If you have questions about superbills, how to check your insurance benefits, or how this process works in practice, we’re here to help. Our team can walk you through what to expect and help you understand your options. Schedule a free consultation to discuss how therapy at Firefly might work for you, including how to navigate the superbill and reimbursement process. Many clients find that, even with out-of-pocket costs, investing in their mental health pays dividends they couldn’t have imagined.