A superbill is a detailed receipt from your therapist that contains all the information your insurance needs to process a claim: the provider's NPI number, diagnosis codes, CPT billing codes, session date, and fee. You receive it after each session and submit it to your insurance yourself.

How do I know if I have out-of-network benefits?

Call the member services number on the back of your insurance card. Ask specifically about out-of-network mental health benefits and outpatient psychotherapy (CPT code 90837). HMO plans typically do not have out-of-network benefits. PPO and POS plans often do.

How much does insurance typically reimburse out-of-network?

It varies by plan, but PPO plans commonly reimburse 50–80% of session costs after your out-of-network deductible is met. The only way to know your exact rate is to call your insurer.

How long does reimbursement take?

Most insurers process out-of-network claims within 2–4 weeks of receiving the superbill. Reimbursement goes directly to you, not to the provider.

What are the self-pay rates?

The intake session is $215. Ongoing sessions are $180 per session. Sessions run 50–60 minutes.

Insurance & Fees

Understanding Your Coverage

Paper Moon Counseling accepts Aetna, NC State Health Plan, and BlueCross BlueShield of NC.

If your plan isn't listed, out-of-network benefits may still cover 50–80% of session costs. Tracey provides a superbill after each session that you submit to your insurer for reimbursement.

Insurance coverage for therapy is often less complicated than it seems. This page explains what's covered, what out-of-network benefits mean in practice, and exactly how to use them.

In-Network Insurance Plans

If your insurance is listed below, Tracey bills directly. You pay your copay or coinsurance at the time of service, and Tracey handles the rest. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your specific plan's deductible and copay structure.

Aetna

Including the NC State Health Plan

BlueCross BlueShield of NC

Always verify your specific benefits with your insurer before your first session. Coverage varies by plan, even within the same carrier.

What If My Plan Isn't Listed?

Many people assume that if their plan isn't on the in-network list, they have no coverage. That's often not true.

Most PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans include out-of-network mental health benefits. Once your out-of-network deductible is met, your insurer reimburses a percentage of the session cost directly to you — typically 50–80%, depending on your plan.

On a $180 session, that means your actual out-of-pocket cost after reimbursement could be anywhere from $36 to $90 per session. For some people, that's comparable to an in-network copay.

What to ask your insurer

"Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?"
"What is my out-of-network deductible, and how much have I met?"
"What percentage does my plan reimburse for outpatient psychotherapy?"
"Is there a session limit for out-of-network mental health visits?"

The CPT code for a standard 53–60 minute therapy session is 90837. Having this ready speeds up the call.

What Is a Superbill?

A superbill is a detailed receipt that contains all the information your insurance company needs to process an out-of-network claim. After each session, Tracey provides one automatically.

It includes:

Tracey's NPI (National Provider Identifier)

Diagnosis code (ICD-10)

CPT billing code (procedure type)

Session date and duration

Session fee

Practice name and contact info

You submit the superbill to your insurance through their member portal, by mail, or by fax. Most insurers reimburse within 2–4 weeks.

How to Use Out-of-Network Benefits

Call member services

Find the member services number on the back of your insurance card. Ask: "Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?" and "What is my out-of-network deductible and reimbursement rate for outpatient psychotherapy?" The CPT code for a standard session is 90837.

Attend sessions as normal

You pay the session fee at the time of service. Nothing about the session itself is different — the only difference is that you, not Tracey, file the claim.

Receive your superbill

After each session, Tracey provides a superbill — a detailed receipt containing her NPI number, diagnosis code, CPT billing code, session date, and fee. This is everything your insurance needs to process the claim.

Submit and get reimbursed

Submit the superbill through your insurance member portal, by mail, or by fax. Most insurers process claims within 2–4 weeks and send reimbursement directly to you.

HSA and FSA

Therapy is an eligible expense under most Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). You can use these pre-tax funds for sessions whether Tracey is in-network or out-of-network with your plan.

If you're using an FSA, keep in mind that most FSA funds expire at the end of the plan year. If you have unspent FSA dollars and have been putting off starting therapy, that's worth factoring in.

Self-Pay Rates

If you prefer not to use insurance, or your plan doesn't provide reimbursement, the self-pay rates are straightforward.

Intake session

$215

50–60 minutes

Ongoing sessions

$180

50–60 minutes

Tracey can provide a superbill for any session, even if paying out of pocket, for potential reimbursement through your plan's out-of-network benefits.

Common Questions

What is a superbill?: A superbill is a detailed receipt from your therapist that contains all the information your insurance needs to process a claim: the provider's NPI number, diagnosis codes, CPT billing codes, session date, and fee. You receive it after each session and submit it to your insurance yourself.
How do I know if I have out-of-network benefits?: Call the member services number on the back of your insurance card. Ask specifically about out-of-network mental health benefits and outpatient psychotherapy (CPT code 90837). HMO plans typically do not have out-of-network benefits. PPO and POS plans often do.
How much does insurance typically reimburse out-of-network?: It varies by plan, but PPO plans commonly reimburse 50–80% of session costs after your out-of-network deductible is met. The only way to know your exact rate is to call your insurer.
How long does reimbursement take?: Most insurers process out-of-network claims within 2–4 weeks of receiving the superbill. Reimbursement goes directly to you, not to the provider.
Can I use my HSA or FSA?: Yes. Therapy is an eligible expense under most Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), whether Tracey is in-network or out-of-network with your plan.
What are the self-pay rates?: The intake session is $215. Ongoing sessions are $180 per session. Sessions run 50–60 minutes.

Questions About Your Coverage?

The free 15-minute consultation is a good time to talk through insurance. Bring your plan info and Tracey can help you figure out what to expect.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Aetna · NC State Health Plan · BCBS · Telehealth · North Carolina