S. 5120 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Jul 23, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExpands mental health services by clinical psychologists
This bill makes changes to how Medicare covers services from clinical psychologists. It gives extra payment to psychologists who work in areas that don't have enough mental health providers, and it lets psychologists provide more types of behavioral health services that Medicare will cover, including services needed for hospitalizations and home health care.
How it affects you
If you're on Medicare and live in an area with few mental health providers, you may have better access to psychologists for behavioral health care. The changes could also make it easier for psychologists to provide the full range of services you might need when you're in the hospital or receiving care at home.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Jul 23, 2026)
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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
2nd SessionS. 5120
A BILL
Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2026
Sponsor: Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) · Introduced Jul 23, 2026 · Health · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jul 23, 2026: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.”