Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2026

Martin Heinrich

Democrat · NM · Senator

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• John Kennedy (R-LA)Original· 2026-07-23

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

2026-07-23

Source: Congress.gov

The legislation would expand Medicare coverage for mental health and behavioral health services, making it easier for seniors and disabled Medicare beneficiaries to access psychological counseling, therapy, and related treatments. Currently, Medicare has limits on these services, so the bill aims to remove or reduce those restrictions so more people can get the mental health care they need. This would affect millions of older Americans and people with disabilities who rely on Medicare for their health insurance.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 5120 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 5120 To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand access to psychological and behavioral health services. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 23, 2026 Mr. Heinrich (for himself and Mr. Kennedy) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand access to psychological and behavioral health services. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. EXPANDING ELIGIBILITY FOR INCENTIVES TO PRACTICE IN RURAL AND UNDERSERVED AREAS. Section 1833(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(m)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) by inserting ``(A)'' before ``In the case''; and (B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(B) In the case of services furnished by a clinical psychologist (as defined by the Secretary for purposes of section 1861(ii)) in a year (beginning with 2028) to an individual, who is covered under the insurance program established by this part and who incurs expenses for such services, in an area that is designated (under section 332(a)(1)(A) of the Public Health Service Act) as a health professional shortage area as identified by the Secretary prior to the beginning of such year, in addition to the amount otherwise paid under this part, there also shall be paid to the clinical psychologist (or to an employer or facility in the cases described in clause (A) of section 1842(b)(6)) (on a monthly or quarterly basis) from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund an amount equal to 10 percent of the payment amount for the service under this part''; and (2) in each of paragraphs (2) and (4)(C), by inserting ``or clinical psychologist'' after ``physician''. SEC. 3. ELIMINATING UNNECESSARY OVERSIGHT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDED BY CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS. (a) Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities.--Section 1835(a)(2)(E)(iii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395n(a)(2)(E)(iii)) is amended by inserting ``, except that an individual receiving qualified psychologist services as described in section 1861(ii) may be under the care of a clinical psychologist with respect to such services to the extent authorized under State law'' before the semicolon. (b) Skilled Nursing Facilities.--Section 1819(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i-3(b)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (5)(G), by inserting ``clinical psychologist,'' after ``nurse practitioner,''; and (2) in paragraph (6)(A), by inserting ``, except that a resident receiving qualified psychologist services as described in section 1861(ii) may be under the supervision of a clinical psychologist with respect to such services to the extent authorized under State law'' before the semicolon. (c) Partial Hospitalization Services.-- (1) Section 1835(a)(2)(F)(iii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395n(a)(2)(F)(iii)) is amended by inserting ``, except that an individual receiving qualified psychologist services as described in section 1861(ii) may be under the care of a clinical psychologist with respect to such services to the extent authorized under State law'' before the period. (2) Section 1861(ff)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(ff)(1)) is amended by inserting ``(or, in the case of qualified psychologist services, under the supervision of a clinical psychologist to the extent authorized under State law)'' after ``under the supervision of a physician''. (d) Home Health Services.-- (1) Section 1861(m) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(m)) is amended-- (A) in paragraph…

(6), by striking ``and'' at the end; (B) in paragraph (7), by inserting ``and'' after the semicolon; and (C) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following new paragraph: ``(8) an individual receiving qualified psychologist services may be under the care of a clinical psychologist with respect to such services to the extent authorized under State law;''. (2) Section 1891(a)(3)(F) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395bbb(a)(3)(F)) is amended by inserting ``clinical psychologist,'' after ``physician,''. (e) Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital Services.--Section 1814(a)(2)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395f(a)(2)(A)) is amended by inserting ``(or, in the case of qualified psychologist services, under the supervision of a clinical psychologist to the extent authorized under State law)'' after ``under the supervision of a physician''. (f) Rule of Construction.--In accordance with section 410.71(e) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation), nothing in the provisions of, and amendments made by, this section shall be construed as changing or eliminating existing requirements regarding clinical consultation by clinical psychologists with a beneficiary's physician, in accordance with accepted professional ethical norms and taking into consideration patient confidentiality. (g) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2028. <all>

• S5199A bill to amend the Federal Power Act to clarify the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission over the interconnection of large loads to the transmission system, to provide for standards and procedures for the interconnection of large loads, and for other purposes.
  Referred to Committee · 2026-07-30
• S1470Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act
  Reported by Committee · 2026-07-23
• S5008Grid Connection and Congestion Management Act
  Referred to Committee · 2026-07-16
• S5027Protecting Home-Based Care for Rural Veterans Act of 2026
  Referred to Committee · 2026-07-16