S. 2144 — Introduced in Senate

II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2144 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 21, 2021Ms. Cortez Masto (for herself and Mr. Cassidy) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance 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 2021 or the PEERS Act of 2021. 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).