​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Medi-Cal Peer Support Services

​The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) launched the Medi-Cal Peer Support Services benefit in July 2022, in compliance with Senate Bill 803 (Beall, Chapter 150, Statutes of 2020) which established two requirements for DHCS:

​1. Seek federal approval to establish Medi-Cal Peer Specialists as a provider type; and

​2.  Provide distinct Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist services under the Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS), and Drug Medi-Cal (DMC), or Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) programs.

Following federal approval, DHCS added Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists (Peers) as a unique provider type within specific reimbursable services.  Counties can voluntarily opt-in to provide this valuable resource in one or both delivery systems (SMHS, and DMC or DMC-ODS). As of September 2025, 53 counties include Medi-Cal Peer Support Services as a benefit in one or both of their delivery systems.  

The County Behavioral Health Directors' Association (CBHDA) identified the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) to operate a State approved Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Program, to support consistency statewide. As the certifying body, CalMHSA is responsible  for certification and also for examination and enforcement of professional standards for certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists. For details on training, certification, examination, applying and more, visit the CA Peer Certification website.  For more information on CalMHSA's role visit California Mental Health Services Authority | Peer Certification (calmhsa.org).

Resources

• Peer Support Services Frequently Asked Questions
• ​DHCS, County, and Certifying Entity Roles and Responsibilities
• Medi-Cal Code of Ethics for Peer Support Specialists in California
• CAPeerCertification.org - details on training, certification, examination, applying and more.​

Behavioral Health Information Notices (BHINs)

• BHIN 25-010 Medi-Cal Peer Support Services, Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist, and Certification Program Requirements​
  
• BHIN 22-055 Peer Services Funding Sources
• BHIN 21-045 Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) peer support services implementation fiscal plan guide
• BHIN 20-056 Peer Support Services - Funding Sources

Authorities

• CalAIM 1115 Demonstration and 1915(b) Waiver
• Senate Bill 803: Mental Health Services: Peer Support Specialist Certification

Contact Us

Questions and comments may be submitted by email to CountySupport@dhcs.ca.gov.
For general inquiries regarding existing Medi-Cal Peer Support Services, trainings, or other resources please contact your local county behavioral health plan.

For questions regarding Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification, please contact CalMHSA at PeerCertification@CalMHSA.org.

Counties Participating in Medi-Cal Peer Support Services

Archive: Pre-Implementation Materials

Implementing Peer Support Services in DMC, DMC-ODS, and SMHS.

• DMC-ODS PowerPoint - March 22, 2022
• DMC and PSS PowerPoint - April 12, 2022
• SMHS and PSS PowerPoint - April 19, 2022
• Building Your Behavioral Health Workforce PowerPoint - April 26, 2022
• How to Become a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists PowerPoint - May 10, 2022
• Supervision of Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists PowerPoint - May 17, 2022
• Peer Support Specialists: Roles and Responsibilities - June 7, 2022
• Peer Support Specialists: Areas of Specialization  - June 14, 2022

Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Listening Session #1

• Peer Support Listening Session #1 Agenda
• Peer Support Listening Session #1 PowerPoint Slides
• Peer Support Listening Session #1 Feedback Summary

Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Listening Session #2

• Peer Support Listening Session #2 Agenda
• Peer Support Listening Session #2 PowerPoint Slides
• Peer Support Listening Session #2 Feedback Summary

Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Listening Session #3

• Peer Support Listening Session #3 PowerPoint Slides​​