I 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8206 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 11, 2020 Ms. Judy Chu of California (for herself and Mr. Smith of Nebraska ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means , and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To clarify the eligibility for participation of peer support specialists in the furnishing of behavioral health integration services under the Medicare program.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Promoting Effective and Empowering Recovery Services in Medicare Act of 2020 or the PEERS Act of 2020 . 2. Clarifying the eligibility for participation of peer support specialists in the furnishing of behavioral health integration services under the Medicare program (a) In general Nothing in title XVIII of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) shall be construed as prohibiting a peer support specialist (as defined in subsection (b)) from participating in the furnishing of behavioral health integration services under such title under the supervision of a physician or other entity billing for such services under such title. (b) Peer support specialist defined For purposes of subsection (a), the term peer support specialist means an individual who— (1) is recovering from a mental health or substance use condition; and (2) is certified as qualified to furnish peer support services under a certification process consistent with the National Practice Guidelines for Peer Supporters and inclusive of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Core Competencies for Peer Workers in Behavioral Health Settings (as established by the State in which such individual furnishes such services or under such national certification process determined appropriate by the Secretary of Health and Human Services).