Understanding Superbills for ADHD Evaluations and Psychological Testing
If you’re considering an ADHD evaluation or psychological testing, you may have heard the term superbill and wondered:
👉 What is a superbill?
👉 Can I use insurance for ADHD testing?
👉 Will I get reimbursed?
👉 How does out-of-network reimbursement work?
👉 Does insurance cover psychological evaluations?
The answers are not always simple.
This guide breaks down how superbills for ADHD evaluations and out-of-network psychological testing reimbursement actually work, so you can make informed decisions before scheduling testing.
What is a superbill?
A superbill is a detailed receipt used for out-of-network insurance reimbursement.
It includes:
provider credentials and license information
diagnostic codes
procedure (CPT) codes
dates of service
fees paid
You submit this document directly to your insurance company to request reimbursement.
Think of a superbill as documentation that allows insurance to review your claim, not a guarantee of payment.
Can I use insurance for an ADHD evaluation?
Sometimes, but it depends entirely on your insurance plan.
Many psychologists who provide comprehensive ADHD evaluations operate as out-of-network providers. This means:
you pay the evaluation fee upfront
you receive a superbill
you submit it to your insurance
insurance decides whether reimbursement applies
Some plans reimburse a portion of the cost. Others do not.
There is no universal rule.
Reimbursement depends on:
your specific insurance policy
out-of-network benefits
deductibles
coinsurance
medical necessity review
plan limitations on psychological testing
Insurance companies make these determinations, not the evaluator.
Does insurance cover psychological testing?
Insurance coverage for psychological testing varies widely.
Some policies cover testing when it is considered medically necessary. Others restrict or deny coverage for ADHD or neuropsychological evaluations, especially for academic accommodations.
Insurance may reimburse:
✔ part of the evaluation
✔ after deductible
✔ at an out-of-network rate
✔ subject to review
Or they may deny reimbursement entirely.
A superbill allows you to request reimbursement, but the insurance company makes the final decision.
No ethical provider can guarantee coverage.
Important: insurance reimburses based on their rates, not the provider’s fee
When insurance approves out-of-network reimbursement, they do not reimburse based on the provider’s full fee. They reimburse based on their own allowed amount for a given service.
This allowed amount is determined by the insurance company and is often lower than the actual evaluation cost. Reimbursement is calculated as a percentage of that allowed rate, not the full amount you paid.
For example, if an insurance company allows $1,000 for a service and reimburses 60%, they would pay $600, even if the evaluation cost more.
This difference is normal in out-of-network care and varies widely by plan. It is not controlled by the evaluator.
What is out-of-network reimbursement?
Out-of-network reimbursement means you are seeking partial repayment from insurance for services provided by a clinician who does not contract directly with your insurance plan.
This system exists to give patients flexibility in choosing specialized providers.
The process usually looks like:
You pay for services directly
The provider issues a superbill
You submit the claim to insurance
Insurance reviews the documentation
Reimbursement is determined by your plan
Some plans reimburse 50–80% after deductible. Others reimburse much less, or nothing.
It is your responsibility to contact your insurance company and verify benefits.
Can I find out reimbursement ahead of time?
Yes, and this is strongly encouraged.
If you schedule a consultation with me, I’m happy to provide a breakdown of the CPT codes typically used in ADHD and psychological evaluations. You can then contact your insurance company directly to ask about out-of-network reimbursement using those codes.
This allows you to get realistic cost estimates before scheduling testing.
Insurance companies determine reimbursement, not the evaluator. But having the correct codes ahead of time helps you ask the right questions and avoid surprises.
Why many ADHD evaluations are out-of-network
Comprehensive ADHD and neuropsychological evaluations are time-intensive, specialized services.
They often involve:
multiple hours of testing
scoring and interpretation
report writing
professional consultation
high-stakes documentation standards
Insurance reimbursement rates frequently do not reflect the complexity or time required for this work. As a result, many specialists operate outside insurance networks.
This allows evaluators to:
maintain testing quality
spend adequate time per case
follow best-practice assessment standards
avoid insurance-driven limitations
Out-of-network status does not mean insurance is irrelevant. It simply changes how reimbursement works.
Superbills and law school ADHD accommodations
Many law students seek ADHD evaluations specifically for LSAT, MPRE, or Bar exam accommodations, and reimbursement questions often come up in that context.
Insurance policies vary in how they treat evaluations connected to academic or professional testing. Some plans reimburse partially. Others classify accommodations-related testing differently than medical evaluations.
Because policies differ, it’s especially important for law students to verify benefits in advance. A superbill allows you to request reimbursement, but coverage decisions are made by your insurance company and not the evaluator.
Understanding this ahead of time helps you plan realistically and avoid surprises during the accommodations process.
Will a superbill guarantee reimbursement?
No.
A superbill allows you to request reimbursement. It does not promise approval.
Insurance companies evaluate claims based on:
plan rules
coverage limitations
medical necessity
policy exclusions
testing categories
documentation review
Two people with the same evaluation may receive very different reimbursement outcomes depending on their insurance.
This variability is normal.
How to check your reimbursement benefits
Before scheduling testing, contact your insurance company and ask:
Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?
What percentage is reimbursed?
What is my deductible?
Does my plan cover psychological testing?
Are ADHD evaluations covered?
Are there limits or exclusions?
Do I need preauthorization?
Document the representative’s name and call reference number.
This conversation gives you realistic expectations.
Why transparency matters
Financial clarity is part of ethical psychological practice.
A good provider should:
✔ explain fees clearly
✔ describe how superbills work
✔ avoid promising reimbursement
✔ encourage benefit verification
✔ answer financial questions honestly
You deserve to understand the system before committing to testing.
The key takeaway
A superbill is a tool for requesting insurance reimbursement for ADHD evaluations and psychological testing — not a guarantee of payment.
Out-of-network reimbursement depends entirely on your insurance plan.
The evaluator provides documentation.
Insurance decides coverage.
Understanding this distinction helps you make informed financial decisions and reduces surprises.
Next steps
If you’re considering an ADHD evaluation and want clarity about fees, superbills, and reimbursement before scheduling, you’re welcome to reach out to discuss your options. I provide high-quality, comprehensive ADHD and psychological evaluations and can explain what to expect financially before testing begins.
