More Behavioral Health Providers Act of 2026
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This bill would provide additional Medicare payments to behavioral health practitioners serving in mental health professional shortage areas.
What it does
This bill proposes to establish additional Medicare payments for health care practitioners who provide services to individuals with mental health or substance use disorders in designated mental health professional shortage areas. The increased payments would apply to a range of professionals, including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, clinical social workers, clinical psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and mental health counselors.
Who is affected
This bill affects health care practitioners who provide services in mental health professional shortage areas, including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists. It also applies to clinical social workers, clinical psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and mental health counselors. Additionally, the legislation impacts individuals with mental health or substance use disorders who receive services from these providers under the Medicare program.
Key provisions
- Medicare payment increases for behavioral health services. The bill authorizes additional Medicare payments to health care practitioners who provide services to individuals with mental health or substance use disorders.
- Targeted support for professional shortage areas. The supplemental payments are specifically designated for practitioners operating within mental health professional shortage areas.
- Expansion of eligible practitioner types. The bill applies to a wide range of providers, including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, clinical social workers, clinical psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and mental health counselors.
Fiscal impact
Not applicable: No CBO cost estimate available
Effective dates
Not applicable: Official Summary does not address effective dates
Relationship to existing law
The bill modifies the Medicare program by providing additional payments to specific health care practitioners who serve individuals with mental health or substance use disorders in designated mental health professional shortage areas.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to increase the availability of behavioral health services by providing additional Medicare payments to practitioners who treat mental health or substance use disorders in designated mental health professional shortage areas.