Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2026

This bill aims to expand access to psychological and behavioral health services for Medicare beneficiaries by incentivizing clinical psychologists and reducing physician oversight requirements. It establishes a 10% Medicare payment bonus for clinical psychologists providing services in designated health professional shortage areas, effective in 2028, to attract professionals to underserved communities. The legislation also allows clinical psychologists to serve as the primary care or supervising professional for qualified psychological services in various settings, including comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities, partial hospitalization, home health, and inpatient psychiatric hospitals, contingent on state law authorization. These changes, effective January 1, 2028, aim to streamline care delivery while a rule of construction clarifies that existing requirements for clinical consultation with a physician remain in effect, ensuring coordinated care and patient safety.