PEERS Act 2020

The Peers ACT of 2020 was introduced by leading mental health organizations such as Mental Health America (MHA), National Association Mental Health Programs Directors (NASMHPD), The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), the National Association of Peer Supporters (NAPS), and the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW). 

This act allows the participation of peer support specialists in Behavioral Health Integration Services in Medicare. This act would allow individuals who live with mental illnesses or substance abuse disorders who are being treated in primary care to have access to a peer support specialist that would be covered under Medicare. Under this proposed legislation, peer support specialists may be included as a part of an integrated behavioral health team that includes a primary care doctor, a consulting psychiatrist, a care manager, and others. 

A 2018 analysis showed that providers with peer services had 2.9 fewer hospitalizations per year and saved an average of $2,138 per Medicaid-enrolled month in Medicaid expenditures.2 As of January 2017, 43 states allow Medicaid to be billed for peer support services.

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