What a psychologist’s superbill has to show
Psychologists bill two very different kinds of work. Psychotherapy looks like any other therapy superbill: one line per session, one code chosen by minutes. Psychological and neuropsychological testing is where superbills tend to go wrong, because one evaluation can span several days, several codes and several units, and the insurer needs to see each piece separately.
On every line, the plan expects a date, the CPT code, the place of service, a diagnosis pointer, the number of units and your fee per unit. At the top, it expects your license type and number, your individual NPI and a Tax ID. For testing in particular, reviewers look for a clear split between time spent administering tests and time spent evaluating results, and for whether a psychologist or a technician gave the tests.
Psychologist CPT codes at a glance
| Code | Plain-language use |
|---|---|
| 90791 | Diagnostic interview at the start of therapy or before testing |
| 90832 / 90834 / 90837 | Individual psychotherapy of 16-37, 38-52 or 53+ minutes |
| 96136 + 96137 | You administer and score two or more tests: first 30 minutes, then each additional 30 |
| 96138 + 96139 | A technician or psychometrist administers and scores: same 30-minute structure |
| 96130 + 96131 | Psychological evaluation work: first hour, then each additional hour |
| 96132 + 96133 | Neuropsychological evaluation work: first hour, then each additional hour |
| 96116 + 96121 | Neurobehavioral status exam (clinical assessment of thinking, memory, language and so on) |
| 96127 | A single brief scored screener, such as a symptom rating scale |
The administration codes describe giving and scoring tests. The evaluation codes describe everything that turns scores into an answer: integrating test data with history and interview findings, interpreting results, clinical decision making, treatment planning, writing the report, and the feedback session with the patient or family. Do not count the same minutes toward both.
How testing time turns into units
Each of these codes is time-based, and CPT’s general rule is that a unit counts once you pass the midpoint. In practice:
- 96130 or 96132 can be reported once you reach 31 minutes of evaluation work, and an added hour (96131 or 96133) once you are at least 31 minutes into that next hour.
- 96136 or 96138 can be reported once you reach 16 minutes of administration and scoring, and an added unit (96137 or 96139) once you are at least 16 minutes into the next half hour.
The sample above shows a typical ADHD and reading evaluation. The intake is 90791. On testing day, about two hours of psychologist-administered testing becomes 96136 once plus 96137 three times. Interpretation, report writing and feedback, about two and three-quarter hours of work, becomes 96130 once plus 96131 twice. Enter the per-unit fee on each line and the generator multiplies by the units.
Payers differ on which date to use for evaluation hours that are spread across several days. Some want each hour on the day it happened; others accept the date the evaluation was completed, often the feedback session. Check the client’s plan and be consistent.
Telehealth, place of service and modifiers
Psychotherapy by video is widely billed with POS 10 or 02 and, for some plans, modifier 95; audio-only sessions are covered by some plans with modifier 93. Remote testing is a narrower question. Not every instrument is validated for remote administration, and payer policies on testing by telehealth vary, so check both before you put testing hours on a telehealth line. A few payers also ask for AH (clinical psychologist) or, on some Medicaid plans, HP (doctoral level). Only add these when the client’s plan asks for them.
Psychologist-specific gotchas
- Authorization comes first. Testing is one of the services plans most often require authorization for. A well-built superbill cannot fix a missing authorization.
- Educational versus medical testing. Plans frequently exclude testing whose main purpose is school placement or academic accommodations. A clearly stated clinical question helps, but coverage varies by plan.
- Technician time. If a psychometrist gives the tests, use 96138 and 96139 for that time, not 96136 and 96137. Supervision rules for technicians differ by state and payer.
- Single automated tests. The administration codes are written for two or more tests. Brief screeners belong on 96127.
- Large balances. Testing fees add up quickly. If you collect a deposit, enter only what has been paid so the balance on the superbill is accurate.
How to fill this psychologist superbill template
- Provider details. Enter the practice name, your name, credentials (PhD or PsyD), license number, address, phone, email, NPI and Tax ID. The NPI field checks the check digit as you type.
- Client details. Add the client’s name, date of birth and address, then the insurance carrier, member ID and group number. For a child, use the child’s information and the policy details from the parent’s card.
- Diagnoses. List the diagnoses supported by the evaluation, up to 12, lettered A to L.
- One line per code per date. Put 96136 and 96137 on separate lines even when they happened on the same day, and put the number of units in the units field rather than repeating lines.
- Diagnosis pointers. Point each line to the diagnoses it supports, for example “A, B”.
- Payment and signature. Enter the amount paid so far, type your signature, and review the checklist for missing fields.
- Print or save as PDF. Give the client the PDF along with any authorization number in the notes field.
Get started
Load the sample above to see a completed testing superbill, then replace it with your own details. Nothing you type is uploaded. If you are new to superbills, start with what to include on a superbill and our annotated superbill example. For intake coding, see CPT 90791, and share how to submit a superbill to insurance with clients. Colleagues who focus on therapy can use the therapist template.