H.R. 9990
Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2026
Sponsor: Nicole Malliotakis
3 cosponsors
Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service.
Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2026
This bill provides for an additional payment for clinical psychologists under Medicare who provide services in designated health professional shortage areas. It also allows clinical psychologists to provide behavioral health services (in accordance with state law) for purposes of hospitalization services, home health services, and other services under Medicare.
Text of the bill
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 2026) 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 paragraph (2), by inserting or clinical psychologist after physician.