HB 5480 — AN ACT CONCERNING PEER SUPPORT SERVICES UNDER THE MEDICAID PROGRAM.

House of Representatives General Assembly RaisedFile Bill No.

5480425 February Session, 2026 LCOSubstitute House Bill No.

10915480 ReferredHouse toof Representatives, April 7, 2026 The Committee on HUMANHuman SERVICESServices Introducedreported by:through REP.

(HS)GILCHREST ANof ACTthe CONCERNING18th PEERDist., SUPPORTChairperson SERVICESof UNDERthe THECommittee MEDICAIDon PROGRAM.the part of the House, that the substitute bill ought to pass.

AN ACT CONCERNING PEER SUPPORT SERVICES UNDER THE MEDICAID PROGRAM.

and (2) "peer support specialist" means an individual who (A) mayhas have experience recovering from mental illness or substance use disorder, and (B) is certified to provide peer recovery support under a program administered by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

(c)sHB5480 Not/ laterFile than August 1, 2027, the Commissioner of Social Services shall file a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of LCO No.

1091425 1 ofsHB5480 2File Raised Bill No.

5480425 (c) Not later than August 1, 2027, the Commissioner of Social Services shall file a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, with the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services and public health on (1) the number of peer support specialists provided Medicaid reimbursement, (2) the number of Medicaid enrollees theysuch specialists serve, and (3) any outcome data on treatment provided by such specialists to such enrollees.

Section 1 July 1, 2026 New section Statement of Purpose:Legislative Commissioners:

ToIn requireSubsec. Medicaid reimbursement for peer support services.

[Proposed(c)(2), deletions"they" arewas enclosedchanged into brackets."such specialists" for clarity.

ProposedHS additionsJoint areFavorable indicatedSubst. by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.] LCO No.

1091sHB5480 2/ ofFile 2No.

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425 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.

In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.

Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.

OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:

Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 27 $ FY 28 $ Social Services, Dept.

GF - Cost See Below See Below Note:

GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:

None Explanation The bill results in a cost to the Department of Social Services (DSS) associated with expanding Medicaid coverage for peer support services (recovery-focused behavioral health services).

The bill requires DSS to amend the Medicaid state plan to integrate peer support services into care teams funded under the medical assistance program and provide Medicaid reimbursement to peer support specialists for such services.

1 The extent of the increased cost is dependent on utilization of the expanded service coverage and rates established.

The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to the Medicaid rates established and service utilization.

1For context, peer support services are currently included under the substance use disorder residential treatment per diem rate, which ranges from approximately $350 - $500 and supports several levels of service.

sHB5480 / File No.

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425 OLR Bill Analysis sHB 5480 AN ACT CONCERNING PEER SUPPORT SERVICES UNDER THE MEDICAID PROGRAM.

SUMMARY This bill requires the Department of Social Services (DSS) commissioner to amend the Medicaid state plan to (1) integrate peer support services into care teams funded under the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program and (2) provide Medicaid reimbursement to peer support specialists for these services.

The bill requires the DSS commissioner to report by August 1, 2027, to the Human Services and Public Health committees on (1) how many peer support specialists received Medicaid reimbursement, (2) how many Medicaid enrollees these specialists served, and (3) any outcome data on the treatment these peer specialists provided to Medicaid enrollees.

Under the bill, “peer support services” are recovery-focused behavioral health services that teach someone how to manage their recovery with help from a “peer support specialist”.

This specialist (1) has experience recovering from mental illness or substance use disorder and(2)iscertifiedtoprovidepeerrecoverysupportunderaDepartment of Mental Health and Addiction Services program.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

July 1, 2026 COMMITTEE ACTION Human Services Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Yea 23 Nay 0 (03/19/2026) sHB5480 / File No.

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