Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]
Introduced
Summary
Expands Medicare access to clinical psychologists by adding pay incentives for services in shortage areas and loosening supervision rules so psychologists can provide more behavioral health care in multiple settings. The bill would apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2027.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More clinical psychologist care in Medicare
If enacted, clinical psychologists would be added to staff lists and allowed to provide or supervise qualified psychologist services in many Medicare settings. This would apply in skilled nursing facilities, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, partial hospitalization programs, comprehensive outpatient rehab facilities, and home health, to the extent state law allows. The change would apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2027. The bill would not change existing requirements for clinical consultation with a beneficiary's physician under current Medicare rules.
Extra Medicare pay for psychologists
If enacted, the bill would add a 10 percent payment on top of the Medicare Part B payment when a clinical psychologist furnishes a service in a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area. The add-on would begin in 2026 and be paid from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. Payments would go to the clinical psychologist or, in some cases, to their employer or facility and would be paid monthly or quarterly.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]
NY • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
CA • D
Sponsored 7/30/2026
Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]
TX • R
Sponsored 7/30/2026
Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]
IL • D
Sponsored 7/30/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov