Select Page

What is a superbill for therapy? Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology

A superbill is a document created by the healthcare provider that includes all of the required billing information. It often includes CPT codes for services rendered, charges, units, and the NPI of the rendering provider. It includes the billing provider’s NPI and Tax ID as well.

A superbill may be given to a patient who plans to submit it to an insurance company for the reimbursement of out of network services, or it may be given to an internal billing department who will turn that information into a formal CMS 1500 form and submit that claim to an insurance company.

A superbill is just another way to say invoice and receipt. The best example of a superbill is the CMS 1500 claim form.

What should be included on a superbill?

A superbill should contain the following elements:

  • Provider name, address, telephone number, and fax number
  • Provider’s group NPI as the billing provider and personal NPI as the rendering provider
  • Provider’s tax ID or employer identification number
  • Patient information: name, address, telephone, date of birth, gender
  • Patient insurance information is available
  • Referring provider if available
  • Treatment diagnosis
  • Date of service
  • CPT Codes, Number of Units Billed, Total Amount Charged per CPT Code
  • Treatment location listed as facility address or patient’s home address

How does a cash-based therapist create a CMS 1500 superbill?

Watch the video below to see how you can create a free Office Ally account and create CMS 1500 superbills for your cash-based physical therapy or occupational therapy clients.

What does a CMS 1500 form look like?

Here is an image of a CMS 1500 form. These forms may be purchased from Amazon or other retailers. 

Sample CMS 1500 for Cash Based Physical Therapy

Can I create my own superbill? 

Yes, but it is not recommended. 

If you hope to provide your patient with a superbill that will be submitted to an insurance company for possible out of network reimbursement then the best practice advice is to use a CMS 1500 as it is a universally accepted form.

It is also recommended that you submit an IRS W-9 form in addition to a copy of the physician referral, your initial evaluation, and other supporting documentation.

More Lessons...

Physical Therapy Practice Change of Address in PECOS

Physical Therapy Practice Change of Address in PECOS

How to update or change your physical therapy practice location address in PECOS   Below is step by step tutorial showing you exactly how to update or change your physical therapy practice location address in PECOS.  *At the bottom of this page I have included a...

Does Medicare Supplemental Insurance Cover Physical Therapy

Does Medicare Supplemental Insurance Cover Physical Therapy

Yes, Medicare supplemental plans, also known as Medigap plans, do cover physical therapy services. These plans are divided into plan names based on letters. Below is a screenshot from Medicare.gov showing the list of possible plans.To see what each plan covers,...

How to Create a Physical Therapy Referral Pad

How to Create a Physical Therapy Referral Pad

Creating a physical therapy referral pad to market your physical therapy business is easy. Thankfully, physical therapy is not a controlled substance so there are no real hard and fast rules around creating these referral pads. In this article, I will share my best...

BEST Affiliate Marketing for Physical Therapists

BEST Affiliate Marketing for Physical Therapists

Affiliate Marketing for Physical Therapists in Private Practice If you are like me, you hate the thought of feeling pressured to keep a patient in the clinic 3 more minutes so you can charge 1 more unit. You hate the feeling of threatening patients with cancelation...

What is a Letter of Medical Necessity?

What is a Letter of Medical Necessity?

A letter of medical necessity is simply a document supporting the need for a prescribed assistive device that may be used by the patient to improve or treat a medical condition.   If a physical therapist determines a patient may require a walker to assist in...

3 EASY Ways To Make More Money As A Physical Therapist in 2022

3 EASY Ways To Make More Money As A Physical Therapist in 2022

1.) Selling Info-Products and Digital Courses Informational Graphics Creating and selling info-graphics and downloadable pdfs is a great way to earn extra income as a physical therapist. The easiest way to get started is to use software like Canva to search templates....

How to Apply for a Type 2 NPI

How to Apply for a Type 2 NPI

This is a detailed tutorial helping clinicians navigate and complete the NPPES application for a Type 2 NPI. The type 2 NPI is an organizational NPI and is required for businesses. Who Needs An Organizational Type 2 NPI? Physical Therapist in Private Practice...

How to INCREASE the average physical therapist salary

How to INCREASE the average physical therapist salary

Step 1 - Understand Buyer's Psychology & The Average Physical Therapist Salary Who is the buyer? In any traditional employment situation, the buyer is the employer. The therapist seeking employment needs to understand the buyer's psychology before negotiating the...

Zero to Paid Medicare Billing Course – $499

Zero to Paid Medicare Billing Course – $499

Everything you need to know about Medicare part B billing for physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists.

If you have been thinking about starting a brick and mortar private practice, mobile practice, or side hustle, this course will provide you with the tools and confidence to get started.

Lifetime access $499