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Peer-Delivered Services

About Peer-Delivered Services

In 2007, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Medicaid coverage of peer support services. Oregon Health Authority recognizes the value of peer-delivered services to:

  • Transform Oregon's behavioral health system, and
  • Create a recovery-based system of care. 

There are many types of peer support services. Behavioral Health Division works with peers who have lived experience with addictions and mental health services. These peers are Peer Support Specialists or Peer Wellness Specialists.

Keep in touch with the division's Office of Recovery and Resilience! The office works with peers to promote recovery and person-centered service delivery. Sign up for the office's email updates through OHA's free govDelivery service.

Becoming a Peer Support Specialist or Peer Wellness Specialist

​Anyone who is at least 18 years of age and identifies as:

  • A current or former consumer of addictions or mental health services; 
  • A person in recovery from addictions; 
  • A person in recovery from problem gambling; or 
  • A family member of a current or former consumer of addictions or mental health services. ​

​The Traditional Health Worker w​ebsite provides complete information about training requirements and approved training programs. Requirements include:

Peer Wellness Specialists (PWS) must complete an 80-hour training program .

Peer Support Specialists (PSS) must complete a 40-hour training program.

​Certified Recovery Mentors (CRM I): Apply through the Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO) website.

Other Peer Support Specialists: Apply through the Traditional Health Worker (THW) program.

Peer Wellness Specialists:  Apply through the THW program.

All applicants must pass a criminal history background check.

  • MHACBO will perform the background check for CRMs.
  • OHA will perform the background check for other applicants.​

​PSS and PWS must recertify every three years as described on OHA's Recertification Process page . 

To qualify for recertification, PSS and PWS must complete 20 hours of continuing education as described in OHA's Continuing Education Requirements.

The Traditional Health Worker website lists the approved Continuing Education programs that meet OHA requirements. 

Resources 

​OHA's fact sheet for behavioral health organizations and primary care clinics explains how these groups can engage Peer Support Specialists (PSS) and Peer Wellness Specialists (PWS) to serve Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members.

The OHP Peer Support Billing Guide  explains how certified peers can enroll as Oregon Medicaid providers and bill OHA for services they provide OHP fee-for-service (open card) members.

​The Traditional Health Worker website provides information for health systems and providers about how to integrate Peer Support Specialist (PSS) and Peer Wellness Specialist (PWS) services into their practices and programs. Resources include:

  • A Traditional Health Worker Toolkit that describes PSS and PWS scopes of practice
  • Recommendations for coordinated care organizations
  • Best practices
  • Recommendations and inventories of current payment models

​Sections 20 and 21 of Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 414.025 define Peer Support Specialist and Peer Wellness Specialist. 

ORS 414.665 defines Peer Support Specialists and Peer Wellness Specialists as a type of Traditional Health Worker (THW).

The THW Oregon Administrative Rules (Chapter 410 Division 180) list the requirements for training, certification and enrollment of THWs.

For information about THW legislation, visit the THW website.

​The commission advises OHA on how to:

  • Integrate Traditional Health Workers into Oregon's health care system.  
  • Ensure the program is responsive to consumer and community health needs.
  • Ensure the program delivers high-quality and culturally competent care. 

Ten of the commission's members must be Traditional Health Workers. 

To learn more, visit the Traditional Health Worker website.​