SUD Providers Using Bundled-Payment Approach to Leverage Peer Support Models

Certified peer support specialists are quickly becoming an essential part of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in the United States.

Having gone through the recovery process successfully, peer support workers are driven to help others facing similar hardships in their lives. Addiction rehabilitation centers are now relying more on that connection and experience to create effective programs. Hiring peer support specialists and fostering an effective integration requires collaboration and mutual respect.

To ensure the peer-first approach endures, organizations must find ways to pay for the services. Funding can come in various forms. Many states reimburse organizations for peer support for substance use disorders, and commercial payers are also covering peer support services more often.