Legis Daily

Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-5120| Senate 
| Updated: 7/23/2026
Martin Heinrich

Martin Heinrich

Democratic Senator

New Mexico

Cosponsors (1)
John Kennedy (Republican)

Finance Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-5272
Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-669
Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2023
Jul 23, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jul 23, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Jul 30, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-9990
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-5272
    Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-669
    Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2023


  • July 23, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 23, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.


  • July 30, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-9990
    Introduced in House

Health

Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-5120| Senate 
| Updated: 7/23/2026
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.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-5272
Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-669
Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2023
Jul 23, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jul 23, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Jul 30, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-9990
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-5272
    Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-669
    Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2023


  • July 23, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 23, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.


  • July 30, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-9990
    Introduced in House
Martin Heinrich

Martin Heinrich

Democratic Senator

New Mexico

Cosponsors (1)
John Kennedy (Republican)

Finance Committee

Health

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted