California Medicaid Preparing Certification Programs To Launch Behavioral Health Peer Support Services

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is preparing to implement Medicaid peer support services for behavioral health by January 1, 2022. Counties or an agency representing counties can establish peer support specialist certification programs. During planning for this new benefit, to support statewide consistency the California Behavioral Health Directors Association (CBHDA) identified the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) as the entity that will provide a peer certification program and represent counties as they implement a state-approved Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification program. Counties not working with CalMHSA were required to notify DHCS by August 6 . . .