How to get reimbursed for out-of-network physical therapy

What a superbill is

An itemized receipt with everything your insurance company needs: my provider information, the diagnosis codes, the treatment codes, and what you paid. I provide one at the end of your plan of care, covering all the visits in it.

How to use it

1. Log in to your insurer’s website or app and find “submit a claim” or “out-of-network reimbursement.”
2. Upload the superbill. Most portals take a photo or a PDF.
3. Your insurer processes it against your out-of-network deductible and benefits and sends you a check or a direct deposit.

It takes about five minutes. One thing to be clear about: submitting the claim and any back-and-forth with the insurance company is on you, not me. Staying out of the insurance business is exactly what lets me give you a full hour every visit.

What to ask your insurer

Call the number on your card and ask three questions: Do I have out-of-network benefits for physical therapy? What is my out-of-network deductible, and how much of it have I met? What percentage do you reimburse after the deductible?

HSA and FSA

Physical therapy is a qualified medical expense. Pay with the card at your visit and you’re done.

Why this is often cheaper than it looks

A traditional clinic visit might have a $40 copay for 20 minutes of the therapist’s attention across two or three patients. A full hour here, one-on-one, usually means fewer visits to get the same result, and a portion comes back through your out-of-network benefits.