Superbills, Insurance, and Why I Choose a Different Model of Care
One of the most common questions I get from parents is:
“Do you take insurance?”
It’s a fair question—especially during a season of life when expenses add up quickly and you’re already navigating so many unknowns. While I don’t bill insurance directly, I want to explain how superbills work, why many lactation consultants choose this model, and how it actually benefits you and your baby.
First—What Is a Superbill?
A superbill is essentially an itemized receipt that includes:
The services provided
Diagnosis codes
Procedure codes
After your consult, I provide you with this document so you can submit it to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Most clients are able to upload it easily through their insurance portal.
Some plans reimburse fully, some partially, and some not at all. That decision is always made by the insurance company—not the provider.
Why I Don’t Bill Insurance Directly
Insurance billing comes with a lot of rules. Visit lengths, approved diagnoses, documentation requirements, and even how care is delivered can be dictated by the plan—not by what you actually need in that moment.
Most insurance companies don’t allow time for the full extent of what most parents actually need in a lactation consult, or worse they dictate what they think you need not what your IBCLC has actually determined your needs are.
By not billing insurance directly, I’m able to:
Offer longer, unhurried visits
Go deeper during consults instead of watching the clock
Address the whole picture—feeding, baby, parent, environment, nutrition, mental healthy, lifestyle changes
Provide individualized care, not insurance-determined care
Many healthcare providers—including lactation consultants, therapists, and other specialists—choose this model because it allows them to offer a higher level of care without jumping through administrative hurdles to get you the care you need.
How the Process Works
Here’s what you can expect:
You pay out of pocket or using an HSA/FSA for your consult.
After the visit, I provide a detailed superbill.
You submit it to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.
Your insurance determines if and how much you’re reimbursed.
I make sure superbills are accurate and complete so you have the best chance of reimbursement, even though I don’t submit claims on your behalf. I always try to help clients get reimbursement by adjusting the superbills if insurances ask for additional information or different codes to be used. My information is available in the CAQH database, which is a database all insurance companies have access to in order to verify my credentials. I’ve taken the extra steps so you don’t have to go searching for information.
Why This Matters for Your Care
Breastfeeding challenges are rarely simple. They take time, observation, hands-on support, and space to ask questions. When I’m not constrained by insurance rules, I can slow down, stay present, and truly meet you where you are.
This model allows me to focus on what matters most:
supporting you and your baby with thoughtful, thorough, compassionate, high-level care.
While insurance can be helpful, it often comes with trade-offs. Choosing not to bill insurance directly allows me to protect the quality of care I offer—so you receive the time, attention, and expertise you deserve during such a vulnerable season in your life.
