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HB 886

Certified Peer Recovery Specialists - Coverage Under the Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance and Workgroup on Certification

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kevin Hornberger and 1 co-sponsor

Maryland requires Medicaid and health insurers to cover Certified Peer Recovery Specialists and establishes a workgroup to develop certification standards for substance use disorder peer support services.

Hearing 2/19 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 886

Legislative bill overview

HB 886 mandates that Maryland's Medicaid program and health insurers cover services provided by Certified Peer Recovery Specialists (CPRS)—individuals with lived experience of substance use disorder who help others in recovery. The bill also establishes a workgroup to develop certification standards and best practices for these specialists in Maryland.

Why is this important

Peer recovery specialists fill a critical gap in addiction treatment by providing relatable, stigma-reducing support that complements clinical care. Mandating insurance coverage removes financial barriers to accessing these services and recognizes peer support as a legitimate healthcare intervention, potentially improving recovery outcomes and reducing relapse rates.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost concerns: Insurers and the state may resist coverage mandates without clear data on cost-benefit ratios or evidence of treatment efficacy compared to traditional counseling
  • Certification standards uncertainty: Before coverage requirements take effect, the bill's workgroup must define qualifications, scope of practice, and training requirements—leaving implementers unclear about initial obligations
  • Scope of practice overlap: Unclear boundaries between peer specialists' roles and licensed counselors/therapists could create turf conflicts or duplicate billing concerns in the healthcare system

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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