Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act of 2026

The Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act of 2026 requires group health plans to cover three primary care visits and three behavioral health care visits per year without charging copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance. This mandate applies to plans governed by ERISA, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code, affecting employees, retirees, and individuals with employer-sponsored or individual health insurance. The bill defines primary care visits as in-person appointments with designated providers like general practitioners or nurse practitioners, while behavioral health visits include services from a wider range of specialists such as psychologists and social workers. Additionally, the law ensures that these specific visits are subject to the same reimbursement rates and treatment limitations as any other covered medical service. These provisions would take effect for plan years beginning two years after the bill is enacted.