*The ADAPT Act would let psychology trainees bill Medicare and Medicaid, expanding care in underserved areas*
**Key Takeaways**
– Allows advanced psychology trainees to be reimbursed by Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP for supervised services.
– Could enable roughly 4,000 psychology trainees to provide care, easing provider shortages.
– Aims to improve mental-health access in rural and underserved communities and reduce provider burnout.
Millions of Americans struggle to find mental-health care, especially in rural areas. Part of the problem is a shortage of providers. The Accelerating the Development of Advanced Psychology Trainees (ADAPT) Act, introduced on July 25 2025 by Senators John Barrasso and Michael Bennet, seeks to change that. The bill would allow advanced psychology trainees—graduate students and residents who are close to finishing their training—to be reimbursed by Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) when they provide services under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.
Currently, trainees can’t bill these programs, even though they often deliver care in clinics and hospitals. As a result, clinics may limit how many patients trainees see, and rural facilities can’t justify hiring them. The ADAPT Act would open up reimbursement, enabling nearly 4,000 trainees to bill for supervised services. This could significantly expand mental-health capacity, reduce wait times and make it easier for rural residents to get help.
The bill is bipartisan, with Sen. Barrasso (a Republican doctor from Wyoming) and Sen. Bennet (a Democrat from Colorado) as sponsors. In their joint press release, they note that rural communities face some of the greatest mental-health shortages, and that advanced trainees could offer services closer to home. Professional organizations, including the National Academy of Neuropsychology, support the bill and highlight its potential to bring more providers into the field.
Critics may raise questions about oversight and quality of care. However, the bill requires trainees to work under licensed psychologists, ensuring supervision. Many trainees already provide care as part of their training; this change simply allows clinics to bill for those services, making them financially viable.
The ADAPT Act has been introduced and awaits committee consideration. If it moves forward, it could be an important step toward addressing the mental-health crisis by expanding the workforce without compromising training standards.
**Call to Action**
Mental-health access is vital. Visit Sen. Barrasso’s or Sen. Bennet’s websites to read the full ADAPT Act. Consider contacting your senators to express your support or concerns. Share this information with friends and family to help raise awareness.
