Senators introduce bill expanding psychological care in Medicare

Abstract

A Democratic and a Republican U.S. senator have introduced legislation that would expand Medicare beneficiaries’ access to services delivered by clinical psychologists. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D‐Ohio) and Susan Collins (R‐Maine) have introduced the Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2022; companion legislation has been introduced in the House by a bipartisan group of members. The bill would ensure that clinical psychologists are recognized as independent care providers in all settings of care under Medicare. “Medicare requires patients in some settings to first obtain a physician's approval before seeing a psychologist, creating an administrative barrier for necessary mental health care,” American Psychological Association CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., Ph.D., said in a news release from Collins’ office. “For decades, the Medicare statute has allowed clinical psychologists to practice independently most everywhere else, and the statute should be modernized to allow independent practice across the board, as is authorized under all state licensure laws,” Evans said. Around one‐quarter of all Medicare beneficiaries have a mental illness. “By better aligning Medicare's policies with other major insurers, removing unnecessary barriers that can delay care, and incentivizing psychologists to see Medicare patients in rural and underserved areas, our bipartisan bill will improve seniors’ access to mental health treatment and help strengthen the overall well‐being of older adults,” Collins said.