More Behavioral Health Providers Act of 2025This bill provides for additional Medicare payments to health care practitioners who provide services in mental health professional shortage areas for individuals with mental health or substance use disorders. The bill applies to physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, clinical social workers, clinical psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and mental health counselors.
By expanding eligibility, SB683 seeks to improve access to mental health and substance use disorder services in areas where such services are often limited due to a lack of qualified professionals. The bill proposes that practitioners, which include a range of mental health providers, will receive additional payments equivalent to a percentage of the payment amount for their services if they work in designated shortage areas. This is expected to incentivize more professionals to offer their services where they are most needed.
Senate Bill 683, known as the 'More Behavioral Health Providers Act of 2025', aims to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand eligibility for incentives under the Medicare health professional shortage area bonus program. The primary focus of this bill is to include practitioners who provide mental health and substance use disorder services, thereby broadening the scope of professionals eligible for financial incentives intended to encourage practice in designated shortage areas.
Notable points of contention surrounding the bill include the adequacy of the proposed incentives in truly addressing the shortage of mental health professionals and whether financial incentives alone would attract or retain mental health practitioners in underserved areas. Critics may argue that additional structural changes or support systems beyond financial measures are necessary to ensure long-term improvements in mental health service accessibility.