PEERS Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
Introduced
Summary
Expands Medicare to cover peer support services at community-based clinics and defines who can provide them. This bill would let Medicare pay for peer support delivered at community mental health centers, Federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, and certified community behavioral health clinics. It would create definitions for "peer support services" and "peer support specialist" and require that payments go only to services furnished through those facility types beginning January 1, 2027.
Show full summary
- People with mental health conditions or substance use disorders would gain Medicare-covered access to emotional, informational, instrumental, and social supports designed to help recovery, community integration, and self-empowerment when those services are provided at the listed clinics.
- Peer support specialists would be defined as individuals in recovery who are certified under state rules or a Secretary-approved process aligned with the National Practice Guidelines for Peer Supporters and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration core competencies.
- Community mental health centers, Federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, and certified community behavioral health clinics would be able to treat peer support services as eligible for Medicare payment when furnished by certified peer support specialists.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Medicare would cover peer support
If enacted, Medicare would pay for peer support services starting January 1, 2027. You would be eligible only if you have a diagnosed mental health condition or a substance use disorder. Medicare would pay only when those services are given at a Federally Qualified Health Center, Rural Health Clinic, community mental health center, or a certified community behavioral health clinic. Peer support specialists would have to be people in recovery who meet state or Secretary-approved certification standards.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3]
NE • R
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov