Indiana recognizes peer support as a distinct behavioral health workforce serving people affected by mental health conditions, substance use disorders, problem gambling, co-occurring conditions, and related recovery needs.
The state’s primary peer credential is the Certified Peer Support Professional (CPSP). The credential is issued and monitored directly by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA). Indiana also recognizes several peer recovery credentials administered by the Indiana Counselors Association on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ICAADA), including the Certified Peer Recovery Coach-Associate and Certified Peer Recovery Coach. (Indiana Government)
Indiana’s CPSP credential is unusually broad. Eligibility may be based on personal lived experience of recovery from a mental health condition, substance use, or problem gambling, or on lived experience supporting a family member affected by one of those conditions. (Indiana Government)
Indiana Medicaid covers Peer Recovery Services, also referred to as peer support services. Current Indiana Health Coverage Programs guidance identifies H0038, Self-help/peer service, per 15 minutes, as the primary procedure code. Covered peer services are rehabilitative and intended to promote recovery, self-advocacy, natural supports, socialization, and community-living skills. (Indiana Government)
Certification does not automatically allow an individual peer to independently bill Medicaid. Medicaid reimbursement depends on the eligible billing provider, peer credential, required supervision, member eligibility, service requirements, documentation, and applicable Indiana Medicaid rules. (Indiana Government)
Indiana Peer Support Quick Facts
Category | Indiana overview |
|---|---|
State Medicaid program | Indiana Medicaid / Indiana Health Coverage Programs |
Primary state peer credential | Certified Peer Support Professional |
Abbreviation | CPSP |
State credential authority | Division of Mental Health and Addiction |
Other recognized peer credentials | CPRC-A, CPRC, NCPRSS and other DMHA-recognized credentials |
ICAADA peer credentials | Certified Peer Recovery Coach-Associate and Certified Peer Recovery Coach |
Family lived experience | Eligible for CPSP |
Problem gambling lived experience | Eligible for CPSP |
Minimum age | 18 |
Education | High school diploma or equivalent, with DMHA assistance available for applicants lacking one |
Residency/work requirement | Must live or work in Indiana at least 51% of the time |
CPSP training | 48 hours |
Examination | Proctored examination required |
Training location | Statewide Ivy Tech locations |
Initial CPSP cost | Currently covered by DMHA |
Renewal cycle | Every 2 years |
Continuing education | 40 CEUs per 2-year cycle |
Ethics | DMHA-approved ethics training required annually |
Medicaid peer code | H0038 |
Unit | 15 minutes |
Standard no-PA limit | 1,460 units / 365 hours per rolling 12 months |
Additional units | May be authorized through prior authorization |
Supervision | Certified peer supervisor or other specified qualified practitioner |
Mobile crisis | Teams include Certified Peer Support Professionals |
Community infrastructure | Regional Recovery Hubs, RCOs, Recovery Community Centers |
Last reviewed | August 2026 |
Sources: (Indiana Government)
What Is Peer Support?
Indiana defines a Certified Peer Support Professional as someone who combines lived experience with formal training to instill hope, inspire change, and support people navigating similar experiences.
DMHA emphasizes:
- Personal connection
- Person-centered care
- Shared understanding
- Recovery
- Hope
- Resource navigation
- Community connection
- Self-direction
Peers frequently serve as a low-barrier entry point into behavioral health support. Indiana notes that peer professionals may be among the first behavioral health contacts for people in jails, hospitals, and community settings. (Indiana Government)
Indiana’s Medicaid definition similarly describes Peer Recovery Services as an evidence-based approach in which people with shared experiences of mental health and/or substance use disorders provide one-on-one support to people facing similar challenges. The service is designed to promote socialization, recovery, self-advocacy, natural supports, and community-living skills. (Indiana Government)
Common Peer Support Activities
Depending on the organization and service, Indiana peer professionals may:
- Build trusting peer relationships
- Share relevant lived experience
- Promote hope
- Support individual recovery goals
- Help people develop recovery plans
- Support self-care planning
- Promote self-advocacy
- Help people navigate behavioral health systems
- Connect people with treatment
- Connect people with recovery organizations
- Help people access housing resources
- Help people access transportation
- Support employment and education
- Facilitate recovery groups
- Support community participation
- Build natural supports
- Support treatment engagement
- Provide anti-stigma education
- Support psychiatric advance directive development
- Assist with day-to-day problem solving
- Support transitions between services
- Participate on multidisciplinary teams
- Document covered peer services
Indiana Medicaid specifically includes assistance with self-care and recovery plans, psychiatric advance directives, day-to-day problem solving related to wellness goals, and recovery and anti-stigma education within covered Peer Recovery Services. (Indiana Government)
Peer professionals generally do not diagnose behavioral health conditions, prescribe medications, provide psychotherapy, or represent themselves as licensed clinicians unless they separately hold an applicable professional license and are acting within that licensed role.
Certified Peer Support Professional
What Is a CPSP?
The Certified Peer Support Professional, or CPSP, is Indiana’s primary state-administered peer certification.
DMHA directly issues and monitors the credential. (Indiana Government)
The certification is designed for people who use lived experience involving:
- Mental health recovery
- Substance use recovery
- Problem gambling recovery
- Family experience supporting someone affected by one of these conditions
This breadth is a notable feature of Indiana’s model. (Indiana Government)
CPSP Eligibility Requirements
Current DMHA requirements state that an applicant must generally:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have personal lived experience of recovery from a mental health condition, substance use, or problem gambling, and/or have experience supporting an affected family member
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Live or work in Indiana at least 51 percent of the time (Indiana Government)
DMHA notes that applicants without a high school diploma or equivalent may contact the Recovery Support Services team for assistance locating resources to help them meet the educational requirement. (Indiana Government)
CPSP Application Process
Indiana’s CPSP application is completed through the state’s Certemy credentialing portal.
Applicants currently submit documentation including:
- State identification
- High school diploma, GED, or highest level of education
- Required application materials
- Ethical and professional conduct attestation
After submission, DMHA’s Recovery team conducts a phone interview. Approved applicants then receive access to available training dates and locations. (Indiana Government)
CPSP Training
Indiana’s CPSP curriculum currently requires 48 hours of training followed by a proctored examination.
Trainings are conducted at designated Ivy Tech locations throughout Indiana. (Indiana Government)
As of August 2026, DMHA states that it is absorbing the cost associated with becoming a CPSP, meaning participants may complete the training and initial examination without paying the certification cost themselves. (Indiana Government)
Because state funding and training schedules can change, applicants should confirm current availability before registering.
CPSP Renewal and Continuing Education
CPSP certification renews every two years.
Current requirements include:
- 40 continuing education units during each two-year cycle
- Equivalent to 20 CEUs per year
- Annual completion of a DMHA-approved ethics training
The ethics training may count toward the CEU requirement. Continuing education is tracked through the Certemy credentialing system. (Indiana Government)
Organizations employing CPSPs should therefore track:
- Certification date
- Expiration
- Annual CEUs
- Two-year CEU total
- Annual ethics training
- Renewal status
- Certemy credential status
Indiana’s Other Peer Recovery Credentials
Indiana’s peer workforce is broader than the CPSP credential.
DMHA also recognizes peer recovery credentials issued by ICAADA and other approved organizations for purposes that include Medicaid Peer Recovery Services. (Indiana Government)
Important ICAADA credentials currently include:
- Certified Peer Recovery Coach-Associate
- Certified Peer Recovery Coach
- Certified Family Recovery Coach
- Certified Family Recovery Coach-Associate
- Certified Supervisor of Peer Recovery
ICAADA’s current peer recovery credentials have evolved from older names such as CAPRC I and CAPRC II. Current materials refer to the primary peer credentials as CPRC-A and CPRC. (ICAADA)
Certified Peer Recovery Coach-Associate
The Certified Peer Recovery Coach-Associate, or CPRC-A, is an introductory professional peer credential administered by ICAADA.
It is designed for people with personal lived experience of recovery from:
- Substance use
- Mental health conditions
- Co-occurring disorders
who want to provide recovery support professionally. (ICAADA)
ICAADA states that CPRC-A is recognized by Indiana DMHA and is a billable credential option through Indiana Medicaid and the Indiana Problem Gambler Awareness Program. (ICAADA)
Certified Peer Recovery Coach
The Certified Peer Recovery Coach, or CPRC, is ICAADA’s experienced-level peer recovery credential.
Candidates have personal lived experience involving:
- Substance use recovery
- Mental health recovery
- Co-occurring recovery
and provide recovery support to others seeking or maintaining recovery. (ICAADA)
ICAADA identifies the CPRC as recognized by DMHA and as a billable credential option through:
- Indiana Medicaid
- Indiana Recovery Works
- Indiana Problem Gambler Awareness Program (ICAADA)
Family Recovery Coaches
Indiana also has a formal family recovery coaching pathway through ICAADA.
The Certified Family Recovery Coach, or CFRC, is intended for family members of a person affected by substance use, mental health, or co-occurring conditions who have experience navigating systems or supporting the affected person. (ICAADA)
The CFRC pathway is specifically designed for family lived experience rather than the professional’s own personal behavioral health recovery.
Current eligibility includes:
- Age 18 or older
- Living or working in Indiana at least 51 percent of the time
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Relevant family lived experience (ICAADA)
ICAADA has also introduced a Certified Family Recovery Coach-Associate pathway. (ICAADA)
Family Lived Experience and CPSP
Family experience is not limited to ICAADA’s family-specific credential.
Indiana’s state CPSP pathway also explicitly permits a person to qualify based on having personal lived experience assisting a family member affected by:
- Mental health conditions
- Substance use
- Problem gambling (Indiana Government)
Organizations therefore need to distinguish among:
- A CPSP whose qualifying experience is personal recovery
- A CPSP whose qualifying experience is family support
- A Certified Family Recovery Coach
- Other family peer roles
The appropriate qualification may depend on the payer, service, contract, and population.
Problem Gambling Peer Support
Indiana’s peer credentialing system explicitly includes problem gambling.
A CPSP applicant may qualify based on personal recovery from problem gambling or experience supporting a family member affected by problem gambling. (Indiana Government)
ICAADA also identifies CPRC-A and CPRC credentials as billable options through Indiana’s Problem Gambler Awareness Program. (ICAADA)
This makes problem gambling an important part of Indiana’s peer workforce rather than an entirely separate system.
Peer professionals serving people affected by gambling may support:
- Treatment engagement
- Financial recovery goals
- Recovery planning
- Self-exclusion navigation
- Family support
- Community resources
- Behavioral health treatment connection
- Recovery capital
- Relapse prevention
- Self-advocacy
Peer support should remain distinct from financial advising, psychotherapy, legal representation, or clinical gambling treatment unless the worker separately holds the necessary qualifications.
Is Peer Support Covered by Indiana Medicaid?
Yes.
Indiana Medicaid expressly covers Peer Recovery Services, also referred to as Peer Support Services.
Current IHCP guidance describes the service as an evidence-based, rehabilitative model for eligible Medicaid members. (Indiana Government)
The service may address mental health and substance use recovery and is intended to promote:
- Recovery
- Socialization
- Self-advocacy
- Natural supports
- Community-living skills
Indiana Medicaid Peer Support Code
Indiana Medicaid currently uses:
H0038: Self-help/peer service, per 15 minutes
for Peer Recovery Services. (Indiana Government)
Providers should verify the current IHCP professional fee schedule before establishing reimbursement projections because rates, limits, and billing requirements may change. (Indiana Government)
Medicaid Peer Credential Requirements
Current IHCP guidance states that Peer Recovery Services must be delivered by individuals certified according to DMHA peer recovery training and competency standards. (Indiana Government)
DMHA’s approved credential list currently identifies recognized peer credentials including:
- Certified Peer Support Professional
- Certified Peer Recovery Coach-Associate
- Certified Peer Recovery Coach
- National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (Indiana Government)
DMHA’s current peer page also states that it recognizes both its own CPSP credential and ICAADA certifications. (Indiana Government)
Organizations should use the most recent credentialing list because peer credential names and recognized certification bodies have changed over time.
Medicaid Supervision Requirements
Indiana Medicaid requires people delivering Peer Recovery Services to operate under supervision.
Current IHCP guidance permits supervision by either a certified peer supervisor or specified qualified professionals, including:
- Physician
- Health service provider in psychology
- Licensed psychologist
- Independent practice school psychologist
- Licensed clinical social worker
- Licensed marriage and family therapist
- Licensed mental health counselor
- Licensed clinical addiction counselor
- Physician assistant
- Qualifying advanced practice registered nurse
- Certain master’s- or doctoral-level professionals in social work, mental health counseling, or marital and family therapy (Indiana Government)
This means Indiana permits both peer-informed supervisory structures and qualified clinical or behavioral health supervision.
Certified Supervisor of Peer Recovery
ICAADA offers a Certified Supervisor of Peer Recovery, or CSPR, credential.
Current ICAADA materials include separate supervisor pathways for:
- Peer-recovery-background supervisors
- Clinical-background supervisors (ICAADA)
The peer-recovery CSPR pathway requires an active CPRC credential and is specifically designed around competencies for effective and ethical peer recovery supervision. (ICAADA)
Organizations should not assume that the CSPR is the only supervisor credential permitted for Medicaid. Indiana Medicaid separately permits several qualified practitioner types to supervise Peer Recovery Services. (Indiana Government)
Medicaid Program Standards
Indiana establishes several specific standards for Peer Recovery Services.
The member must be the focus of the service, and the service must be rehabilitative in nature.
For members younger than 18, services must be age appropriate.
Documentation must demonstrate how the service specifically benefits the Medicaid member. (Indiana Government)
Current guidance also identifies covered components including:
- Developing self-care plans
- Developing recovery plans
- Mentoring related to person-centered planning
- Supporting individualized services
- Assisting with psychiatric advance directives
- Supporting day-to-day problem solving
- Promoting recovery
- Providing anti-stigma education related to mental illness and addiction (Indiana Government)
Medicaid Service Limits
Current IHCP guidance allows Peer Recovery Services without prior authorization for up to 365 hours, or 1,460 15-minute units, during a rolling 12-month period.
Additional services may be authorized through the prior authorization process. (Indiana Government)
Organizations providing Medicaid-funded peer services should therefore track:
- Units by member
- Rolling 12-month utilization
- Remaining units
- Prior authorization status
- Authorized additional units
- Service dates
- Documentation supporting additional need
Face-to-Face Requirement
The current Behavioral Health Services provider reference module states that Peer Recovery Services must be face-to-face. (Indiana Government)
Because telehealth policies can change, providers should verify current IHCP bulletins before relying on this requirement for future service design.
Third-Party Liability
Indiana Medicaid made an unusual billing change for peer recovery services beginning January 1, 2023.
Claims for H0038 Peer Recovery Services bypass the normal IHCP cost-avoidance process, meaning providers are not required to bill available third-party resources first before submitting applicable peer recovery claims to IHCP. (Indiana Government)
Organizations should still verify current third-party liability guidance before configuring claims.
Can an Individual Peer Bill Indiana Medicaid Directly?
Organizations should not assume that obtaining CPSP, CPRC-A, CPRC, or another recognized peer credential automatically creates independent Medicaid billing authority.
Certification establishes the worker’s qualification to deliver peer support.
Medicaid billing depends separately on:
- Eligible provider enrollment
- Organizational provider type
- Covered service
- Member eligibility
- Credential
- Supervision
- Documentation
- Procedure code
- Unit limits
- Prior authorization
- Claims requirements
Organizations should confirm the correct billing provider structure for the program they operate.
Medicaid Rehabilitation Option
Indiana’s Medicaid Rehabilitation Option, or MRO, covers community-based behavioral healthcare for qualifying individuals with:
- Serious mental illness
- Serious emotional disturbance
- Substance use disorders (Indiana Government)
MRO services must be provided through an IHCP-enrolled Community Mental Health Center.
Eligibility and service intensity depend on approved assessment tools, including:
- Adult Needs and Strengths Assessment
- Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (Indiana Government)
Peer workers may participate in behavioral health services within this broader community-based system when permitted under current service requirements.
Community Mental Health Centers
Indiana currently identifies 24 Community Mental Health Centers certified by DMHA.
These agencies deliver mental health and addiction services to adults, adolescents, and children throughout the state. (Indiana Government)
Peer professionals may work within CMHCs as part of:
- Community mental health
- Addiction services
- Crisis services
- MRO
- CCBHCs
- Outreach
- Recovery services
- Care transitions
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics
Indiana is implementing the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic model statewide.
Indiana was selected in June 2024 as one of ten states joining the federal CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration expansion, and the state initially selected eight demonstration pilot sites, with services beginning in 2025. (Indiana Government)
CCBHCs provide a comprehensive continuum including:
- Crisis services
- Screening and assessment
- Treatment planning
- Mental health treatment
- Substance use treatment
- Care coordination
- Rehabilitation
- Peer and family support
- Other required behavioral health services
Peer professionals are therefore increasingly relevant to Indiana’s integrated behavioral health infrastructure.
Mobile Crisis and 988
Indiana has formally integrated peer professionals into its crisis-response system.
DMHA states that Indiana Mobile Crisis Teams always include a Certified Peer Support Professional together with another behavioral health professional. (Indiana Government)
Peer workers on mobile crisis teams provide lived-experience-based engagement and support alongside clinical and crisis-response personnel.
Crisis Peer Requirements
Indiana’s mobile-crisis standards contain additional requirements for peer specialists.
Current state materials require peer specialists on mobile crisis teams to maintain:
- CPR certification
- First Aid certification
- Crisis Peer Training
- Relevant ongoing annual training
The state’s mobile crisis agreement also identifies topics including:
- Trauma-informed care
- Person-centered practice
- Cultural awareness
- Ethics in crisis care
- De-escalation
- Mental health and substance use disorders
- Family role in peer support
- Harm reduction
- Naloxone administration (Indiana Government)
The Crisis Peer Training pathway currently requires at least one year of work as a certified peer specialist providing peer services before obtaining the crisis-specific certification. (Indiana Government)
Regional Recovery Hubs
Indiana operates a statewide network of Regional Recovery Hubs.
The Hubs use Certified Peer Support Professionals to connect Hoosiers affected by mental health and substance use concerns with treatment and recovery supports, regardless of where the person is in their recovery journey. (Indiana Government)
The Hubs emphasize community-based support rather than requiring peer relationships to remain tied to one treatment provider. (Indiana Government)
Peer workers may connect participants with:
- Detoxification
- Treatment
- Transitional housing
- Recovery residences
- Recovery Community Organizations
- Recovery Community Centers
- Food assistance
- Transportation
- Other community resources (Indiana Government)
Populations Served by Regional Recovery Hubs
Indiana specifically identifies outreach to populations and settings including:
- Department of Correction
- Justice systems
- Opioid Treatment Programs
- Medication Assisted Recovery providers
- Domestic violence survivor organizations
- People experiencing housing barriers
- Other underserved populations (Indiana Government)
This illustrates the broad community role of Indiana’s peer workforce beyond formal outpatient treatment.
Recovery Community Organizations
DMHA identifies Recovery Community Organizations as an important component of Indiana’s recovery infrastructure and states that the agency actively partners with national, state, and local RCOs. (Indiana Government)
Recovery Community Organizations may provide:
- Peer recovery support
- Recovery coaching
- Resource navigation
- Recovery groups
- Community activities
- Outreach
- Advocacy
- Family support
- Recovery education
- Volunteer opportunities
- Recovery-oriented social connection
Not every RCO activity is Medicaid billable.
Programs should distinguish community peer support from covered Medicaid Peer Recovery Services.
Recovery Community Centers
Indiana also supports Recovery Community Centers.
DMHA describes peers in Recovery Community Organizations and Recovery Community Centers as bridges to treatment, connection, and other community services. (Indiana Government)
Recovery centers may offer:
- Peer support
- Community recovery activities
- Mutual support
- Recovery coaching
- Education
- Resource navigation
- Social connection
- Recovery planning
Indiana Recovery Network
DMHA identifies the Indiana Recovery Network among the state’s primary recovery resources and infrastructure. (Indiana Government)
The network supports connection among recovery organizations and communities and is part of Indiana’s broader strategy to build sustainable recovery-oriented systems.
Indiana Recovery Café Network
DMHA also identifies the Indiana Recovery Café Network as part of its statewide recovery infrastructure. (Indiana Government)
Recovery cafés generally provide community-based spaces centered around:
- Connection
- Recovery
- Belonging
- Peer relationships
- Recovery groups
- Social support
Programs should distinguish peer-led community activities from Medicaid-covered services unless the particular service satisfies applicable billing rules.
Recovery Works
Indiana operates Recovery Works, a state-funded program supporting eligible justice-involved individuals with behavioral health and recovery services.
ICAADA states that its CPRC credential is a billable option through Recovery Works. (ICAADA)
Recovery Works provides a potential funding pathway for peer services outside traditional Medicaid reimbursement.
Programs participating in Recovery Works should use current program guidance for:
- Provider eligibility
- Participant eligibility
- Service definitions
- Billing
- Documentation
- Authorization
- Rates
Peer Support in Jails and Justice Settings
DMHA identifies jails as a common first point of contact between individuals and peer professionals. (Indiana Government)
Regional Recovery Hubs also specifically target connections with:
- Indiana Department of Correction
- Local justice systems
- Reentry populations (Indiana Government)
Peer professionals with relevant lived experience may assist with:
- Treatment engagement
- Reentry planning
- Recovery planning
- Housing
- Employment
- Transportation
- Community support
- Behavioral health navigation
- Recovery community connection
Peer Support in Hospitals
Indiana identifies hospitals as another setting in which peers may act as an early behavioral health access point. (Indiana Government)
Peers may support people experiencing:
- Psychiatric crises
- Overdose
- Substance-related emergencies
- Behavioral health hospitalization
- Discharge transitions
The exact credential and reimbursement structure depends on the program.
Youth Peer Support
Indiana’s Medicaid Peer Recovery Service may be provided to members younger than 18 when the service is age appropriate. (Indiana Government)
Indiana also supports youth behavioral health through:
- Community Mental Health Centers
- Child Mental Health Wraparound
- CCBHCs
- Youth crisis services
- Other DMHA programs
Organizations serving minors should establish specific policies regarding:
- Consent
- Confidentiality
- Family involvement
- Mandatory reporting
- Social media
- Communication
- Boundaries
- Crisis escalation
- Age-appropriate use of lived experience
Family Peer Support
Family peer support is recognized within Indiana’s broader peer system.
CPSP certification may be based on lived experience assisting a family member affected by mental health conditions, substance use, or problem gambling. (Indiana Government)
ICAADA also maintains separate family recovery coaching credentials. (ICAADA)
Family peers may:
- Help families navigate behavioral health systems
- Promote family voice and choice
- Share relevant caregiver experience
- Support treatment engagement
- Help families understand available services
- Connect families with resources
- Support caregiver self-advocacy
- Assist with recovery planning
- Support transitions
- Build natural supports
Family peer support should remain distinct from psychotherapy, legal advocacy, formal case management, or clinical family therapy unless the worker separately holds relevant qualifications.
Peer Support and Problem Gambling
Indiana deserves particular attention for explicitly including problem gambling within its CPSP eligibility framework.
A person may qualify through:
- Their own recovery from problem gambling
- Experience supporting a family member affected by problem gambling (Indiana Government)
This makes the peer model potentially relevant to:
- Problem gambling treatment programs
- Casino self-exclusion support
- Responsible gambling programs
- Financial recovery navigation
- Family support
- Behavioral health referrals
- Community recovery services
Peer Support Scope of Practice in Indiana
Indiana peer professionals provide recovery-oriented, person-centered services grounded in lived experience.
Activities Commonly Associated With Peer Support
Depending on the program, peers may:
- Build supportive relationships
- Share lived experience
- Promote hope
- Support recovery planning
- Support self-care planning
- Help participants solve day-to-day recovery challenges
- Promote self-advocacy
- Support psychiatric advance directives
- Connect people with resources
- Support treatment engagement
- Facilitate peer groups
- Build natural supports
- Support community living
- Promote recovery education
- Address stigma
- Support transitions
- Participate on multidisciplinary teams
- Document peer services
Activities Generally Outside the Peer Role
Unless separately licensed or qualified, peers generally should not:
- Diagnose behavioral health disorders
- Conduct psychotherapy
- Prescribe medications
- Practice medicine
- Represent themselves as licensed clinicians
- Conduct clinical assessments reserved for licensed professionals
- Independently determine medical necessity
- Make legal determinations
- Perform tasks outside their competence
Supervision of Indiana Peer Professionals
Supervision is essential for quality, ethics, workforce retention, and Medicaid compliance.
Indiana Medicaid explicitly requires supervision for H0038 Peer Recovery Services. (Indiana Government)
Peer Supervision
Peer-informed supervision may address:
- Intentional use of lived experience
- Mutuality
- Recovery values
- Ethics
- Boundaries
- Self-determination
- Role fidelity
- Advocacy
- Difficult peer relationships
- Personal wellness
- Professional development
Administrative Supervision
May address:
- Scheduling
- Attendance
- Caseload
- Documentation completion
- Productivity
- Program requirements
- Credential status
- Medicaid units
Clinical Consultation
Clinical professionals may provide consultation involving:
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Medication
- Acute clinical risk
- Medical necessity
- Other issues outside peer scope
Peer supervision and clinical consultation should not automatically be treated as the same function.
Questions Organizations Should Answer
Organizations employing Indiana peer professionals should establish clear answers to questions such as:
- Which credential does each peer hold?
- Is the credential active?
- Who supervises each peer?
- Does that supervisor qualify under Medicaid rules?
- How often does supervision occur?
- Is supervision documented?
- How are ethics concerns addressed?
- Who handles clinical escalation?
- How are CEUs tracked?
- Has annual ethics training been completed?
- How are H0038 units tracked?
- How does the organization prevent role drift?
Documentation for Indiana Peer Recovery Services
Peer documentation should demonstrate what service occurred while preserving the recovery-oriented nature of peer support.
Current Medicaid guidance specifically requires documentation to demonstrate how the service benefits the member. (Indiana Government)
Common Documentation Elements
A peer support note may include:
- Member name or identifier
- Date
- Start and end time
- Duration
- H0038 units
- Place of service
- Recovery goal
- Self-care or recovery plan goal
- Peer activity
- Relevant use of lived experience
- Resource navigation
- Problem-solving activity
- Participant response
- Progress
- Barrier
- Follow-up plan
- Peer name
- Credential
- Supervisor where required
- Signature or attestation
Peer Documentation Should Be
- Accurate
- Timely
- Person-centered
- Recovery-oriented
- Strengths-based
- Respectful
- Relevant
- Within peer scope
- Connected to the member’s recovery needs
- Limited to necessary information
- Consistent with Medicaid requirements
Peer Documentation Should Avoid
- Unsupported diagnoses
- Stigmatizing language
- Clinical interpretations outside peer scope
- Copy-and-paste notes
- Claims for services that did not occur
- Unnecessary trauma details
- Personal opinions presented as facts
- Documentation designed solely to mimic clinical treatment
Documentation and Billing Are Not the Same Thing
A well-written peer note does not automatically make a Medicaid claim payable.
Payment may separately depend on:
- Medicaid eligibility
- Provider enrollment
- Covered service
- Recognized peer credential
- Qualified supervision
- Service limits
- Prior authorization
- Correct H0038 coding
- Correct units
- Place of service
- Documentation
- Timely claims submission
Confidentiality and Information Sharing
Indiana peer programs may handle highly sensitive behavioral health, substance use, and gambling information.
Applicable requirements may include:
- HIPAA
- 42 CFR Part 2
- Indiana confidentiality law
- Medicaid requirements
- DMHA requirements
- Youth confidentiality rules
- Organizational policies
- Consent and authorization requirements
Peer professionals should receive training addressing:
- Information access
- Documentation
- Participant consent
- Care-team communication
- Substance use information
- Gambling-related information
- Text messaging
- Mobile devices
- Telehealth
- Social media
- Crisis situations
- Legal requests
- Boundaries
Where Peer Support Is Delivered in Indiana
Indiana specifically identifies peers working across settings such as:
- Jails
- Hospitals
- Community programs
- Recovery Community Organizations
- Recovery Community Centers
- Outreach teams
- Crisis teams
- Embedded workforce recovery groups (Indiana Government)
Peers may also operate within:
- Community Mental Health Centers
- CCBHCs
- Substance use treatment
- Opioid Treatment Programs
- Recovery Works
- Regional Recovery Hubs
- Housing programs
- Justice and reentry programs
- Problem gambling programs
- Youth services
- Family support programs
- Collegiate recovery programs
Starting a Peer Support Program in Indiana
Step 1: Define the Population
Determine whether the program serves:
- Adults with mental health conditions
- People with substance use disorders
- People with co-occurring conditions
- People affected by problem gambling
- Youth
- Families
- People leaving hospitals
- People leaving incarceration
- People using MOUD
- People experiencing housing instability
- College students
- A particular community
Step 2: Select the Appropriate Peer Credential
Determine whether the program requires:
- CPSP
- CPRC-A
- CPRC
- CFRC
- CFRC-A
- NCPRSS
- Crisis Peer certification
- Another recognized credential
Do not assume that all peer credentials are interchangeable for every payer or program.
Step 3: Define the Peer Relationship
Clarify:
- What lived experience is relevant?
- Is the peer serving through personal recovery experience or family experience?
- Is support individual or group-based?
- What are the participant’s goals?
- How will lived experience be used?
- What boundaries apply?
- What activities remain outside peer scope?
Step 4: Identify the Funding Model
Potential Indiana funding sources may include:
- Indiana Medicaid
- Medicaid Rehabilitation Option
- CCBHC reimbursement
- Recovery Works
- DMHA contracts
- Federal block grants
- State Opioid Response funding
- Opioid settlement funding
- Problem gambling funding
- Hospital funding
- Justice-system funding
- Recovery Community Center grants
- Philanthropy
- University contracts
- Private payment
Step 5: Confirm Credential Requirements
Determine:
- Appropriate credential
- Lived-experience requirement
- Family-experience requirement where applicable
- Education
- Training
- Examination
- CEUs
- Ethics training
- Renewal
- Additional crisis credentials
- Supervisor requirements
Step 6: Confirm Medicaid Provider Eligibility
Determine:
- Who is the billing provider?
- Is the organization enrolled with IHCP?
- What provider type applies?
- Is H0038 covered under the program?
- Does the peer hold a recognized credential?
- Who provides supervision?
- What service limits apply?
- Is prior authorization required?
- What documentation is required?
Step 7: Design the Workflow
Map:
- Referral
- Eligibility
- Intake
- Consent
- Assignment
- Matching
- Recovery planning
- Scheduling
- Service delivery
- Documentation
- Supervision
- Clinical escalation
- Unit tracking
- Prior authorization
- Follow-up
- Transition
- Outcomes
- Claims
Step 8: Establish Role Boundaries
Develop written policies addressing:
- Scope
- Confidentiality
- Crisis response
- Transportation
- Gifts
- Social media
- Dual relationships
- Communication outside work
- Home and community services
- Family relationships
- Staff wellness
- Role drift
Step 9: Build Quality Measurement
Programs may track:
- Referral-to-contact time
- Engagement
- Retention
- Recovery goals
- Recovery capital
- Natural supports
- Treatment engagement
- Community connections
- Successful transitions
- Housing
- Employment
- Education
- Self-advocacy
- Satisfaction
- Peer workforce retention
- Supervision
- Credential status
- CEU completion
- H0038 utilization
- Documentation timeliness
Common Challenges for Indiana Peer Programs
Multiple Credential Pathways
Indiana recognizes several peer credentials.
Organizations may employ:
- CPSPs
- CPRC-As
- CPRCs
- Family recovery coaches
- Nationally certified peers
- Crisis-certified peers
Credential tracking therefore needs to be role specific.
Credential Name Changes
ICAADA has updated several credential names in recent years. CAPRC I and CAPRC II became CPRC-A and CPRC, respectively. (ICAADA)
Older Indiana documents may therefore use titles that differ from current ICAADA terminology.
Medicaid Unit Tracking
Indiana allows a substantial amount of peer service without prior authorization, but the 1,460-unit rolling annual threshold still needs to be tracked accurately. (Indiana Government)
Supervision
Programs must ensure that every Medicaid peer worker has an eligible supervisor.
Continuing Education
CPSPs require 40 CEUs every two years and annual ethics training. (Indiana Government)
Crisis Credentialing
Peers on mobile crisis teams have additional training and certification requirements beyond ordinary peer certification. (Indiana Government)
Documentation Burden
Excessive administrative work can reduce the amount of time peers spend building recovery relationships.
Role Drift
Peers may gradually be assigned:
- Traditional case management
- Transportation
- Administrative tasks
- Surveillance
- Clinical responsibilities
Programs should maintain clear role boundaries.
Fragmented Technology
Organizations may use separate systems for:
- Referrals
- Scheduling
- Recovery plans
- Peer documentation
- Participant communication
- Supervision
- Credential tracking
- CEUs
- Crisis training
- Medicaid unit tracking
- Prior authorization
- Billing
- Recovery Works
- Grant reporting
- Outcomes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Indiana’s primary state peer credential?
The Certified Peer Support Professional, or CPSP, administered directly by DMHA. (Indiana Government)
Who can become a CPSP?
Current eligibility includes adults with personal lived experience of recovery from mental health conditions, substance use, or problem gambling, as well as people with lived experience supporting an affected family member. (Indiana Government)
How old do I need to be?
At least 18. (Indiana Government)
Do I need a high school diploma?
The standard requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent. DMHA invites applicants without one to contact its Recovery Support Services team for assistance accessing educational resources. (Indiana Government)
Do I need to live in Indiana?
Applicants must live or work in Indiana at least 51 percent of the time. (Indiana Government)
How much CPSP training is required?
The current curriculum requires 48 hours of training. (Indiana Government)
Is there an exam?
Yes. CPSP candidates complete a proctored examination. (Indiana Government)
How much does CPSP training cost?
As of August 2026, DMHA states that it is covering the cost of CPSP training and the initial exam. (Indiana Government)
How often does CPSP certification renew?
Every two years. (Indiana Government)
How much continuing education is required?
Forty CEUs every two years, with 20 CEUs expected per year and annual DMHA-approved ethics training. (Indiana Government)
Does Indiana recognize peer recovery coach credentials besides CPSP?
Yes.
DMHA recognizes peer credentials from ICAADA and other approved credentialing organizations. (Indiana Government)
What is CPRC-A?
Certified Peer Recovery Coach-Associate is ICAADA’s introductory peer recovery credential. (ICAADA)
What is CPRC?
Certified Peer Recovery Coach is ICAADA’s experienced-level peer recovery credential. (ICAADA)
Does Indiana recognize family peers?
Yes.
Family lived experience can qualify someone for CPSP, and ICAADA separately offers Certified Family Recovery Coach credentials. (Indiana Government)
Does Indiana recognize problem-gambling peers?
Yes.
Problem gambling lived experience or family experience is expressly included in CPSP eligibility. (Indiana Government)
Is Peer Support covered by Indiana Medicaid?
Yes.
DMHA states that CPSP peer support services are reimbursed through Medicaid, and current IHCP guidance covers Peer Recovery Services. (Indiana Government)
What Medicaid code is used?
H0038, Self-help/peer service, per 15 minutes. (Indiana Government)
How many peer-support units can be provided without prior authorization?
Current guidance permits up to 1,460 units, or 365 hours, in a rolling 12-month period without prior authorization. (Indiana Government)
Can additional units be authorized?
Yes.
Additional units may be approved through prior authorization. (Indiana Government)
Do Medicaid peer services require supervision?
Yes.
Services must be supervised by a certified peer supervisor or another practitioner identified in current IHCP policy. (Indiana Government)
Can a peer bill Medicaid independently?
Do not assume so.
Certification establishes the peer’s qualification to deliver the service. Billing depends on provider enrollment and the applicable Medicaid service structure.
Are peer services available to youth?
Yes.
Current Medicaid guidance permits services for members younger than 18 when they are age appropriate. (Indiana Government)
Are peers part of Indiana mobile crisis teams?
Yes.
Indiana states that Mobile Crisis Teams always include a Certified Peer Support Professional. (Indiana Government)
Do crisis peers need additional training?
Yes.
Current mobile crisis standards include additional crisis-peer, CPR, First Aid, de-escalation, trauma-informed, ethics, and related training requirements. (Indiana Government)
What are Regional Recovery Hubs?
They are community-based networks using Certified Peer Support Professionals to connect people affected by mental health and substance use concerns with treatment, recovery supports, housing, transportation, and other community resources. (Indiana Government)
Are peer professionals clinicians?
Not by virtue of the peer credential alone.
Peer credentials establish professional peer-support qualifications but do not create independent clinical licensure.
Official and State-Recognized Indiana Peer Support Resources
Certification and Training
Indiana Certified Peer Support Professionals
Official DMHA hub for Indiana’s CPSP credential, including the role of peers, Medicaid recognition, certification requirements, training, continuing education, and credential FAQs. (Indiana Government)
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/Recovery/peer-support/
Certified Peer Support Professional Certification
Official DMHA application and eligibility resource covering CPSP requirements, Certemy enrollment, required documentation, training access, fees, lived-experience criteria, and current application procedures. (Indiana Government)
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/Recovery/peer-support/certified-peer-support-professional-certification/
Indiana DMHA Recovery
State recovery hub supporting Certified Peer Support Professionals, Regional Recovery Hubs, recovery communities, Recovery Community Organizations, recovery cafés, and broader recovery-system development. (Indiana Government)
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/Recovery/
ICAADA
Indiana-based behavioral health credentialing organization administering Certified Peer Recovery Coach, Certified Family Recovery Coach, peer supervisor, recovery coach, addiction, and other professional credentials recognized within Indiana’s behavioral health workforce. (ICAADA)
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://icaada.org/
ICAADA Certified Peer Recovery Coach-Associate
Official credential resource for the introductory CPRC-A credential for individuals with lived experience of mental health, substance use, or co-occurring recovery. (ICAADA)
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://icaada.org/certifications/cprc-a/
ICAADA Certified Peer Recovery Coach
Official credential resource for the experienced-level CPRC credential recognized by Indiana DMHA and identified by ICAADA as reimbursable through Indiana Medicaid and other Indiana recovery programs. (ICAADA)
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://icaada.org/certifications/cprc/
ICAADA Certified Family Recovery Coach
Professional family peer credential for people with lived experience supporting a family member affected by substance use, mental health, or co-occurring conditions. (ICAADA)
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://icaada.org/certifications/cfrc/
DMHA Approved Addiction and Peer Credentialing Bodies
Official state list identifying peer credentials accepted under DMHA standards for applicable Indiana peer recovery services. (Indiana Government)
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/files/DMHA-Credentialing-List.pdf
Medicaid and Reimbursement
Indiana Medicaid Behavioral Health Services Provider Reference Module
Primary IHCP reference covering outpatient behavioral health services, Peer Recovery Services, H0038, practitioner qualifications, supervision, program standards, unit limits, and documentation requirements. (Indiana Government)
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.in.gov/medicaid/providers/files/modules/behavioral-health-services.pdf
Indiana Medicaid Behavioral Health Services
Official Indiana Medicaid behavioral health provider resource for current behavioral health policy, billing, provider qualifications, peer services, and related requirements.
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.in.gov/medicaid/providers/clinical-services/behavioral-health-services/
Indiana Medicaid Provider Reference Modules
Official repository for current IHCP billing and reimbursement guidance. Provider Reference Modules are the primary reference for providers, with later policy changes communicated through IHCP bulletins. (Indiana Government)
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.in.gov/medicaid/providers/provider-references/bulletins-banner-pages-and-reference-modules/ihcp-provider-reference-modules/
Indiana Medicaid Fee Schedules
Official IHCP fee schedule resource containing reimbursement amounts, procedure codes, modifiers, prior authorization indicators, and applicable age or unit limits. (Indiana Government)
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.in.gov/medicaid/providers/business-transactions/billing-and-remittance/ihcp-fee-schedules/
Indiana Medicaid Bulletins
Current IHCP bulletins announcing new Medicaid policies, billing changes, behavioral health updates, CCBHC requirements, provider enrollment changes, and other program guidance. (Indiana Government)
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.in.gov/medicaid/providers/provider-references/bulletins-banner-pages-and-reference-modules/ihcp-bulletins/
Medicaid Rehabilitation Option
Official Indiana Medicaid resource explaining community-based behavioral health services for qualifying individuals with serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, and substance use disorders. (Indiana Government)
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.in.gov/medicaid/providers/clinical-services/medicaid-rehabilitation-option-mro/
State Agencies
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration
Cabinet-level state agency overseeing Indiana Medicaid, mental health and addiction services, disability services, aging programs, and other health and human service systems.
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.in.gov/fssa/
Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction
State behavioral health authority responsible for mental health and addiction care standards, Certified Peer Support Professionals, behavioral health provider certification, recovery infrastructure, and state psychiatric hospitals. (Indiana Government)
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/
Indiana Medicaid
Indiana’s Medicaid program and primary state source for Medicaid benefits, provider enrollment, billing, reimbursement, and behavioral health policy.
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.in.gov/medicaid/
Indiana Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning
FSSA division responsible for administration and policy of the Indiana Health Coverage Programs.
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.in.gov/fssa/ompp/
Community and Peer Recovery Resources
Indiana Regional Recovery Hubs
Official statewide network using Certified Peer Support Professionals to connect Hoosiers with mental health and substance use recovery supports, treatment, housing, transportation, and community resources. (Indiana Government)
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/Recovery/regional-recovery-hubs/
Indiana Recovery Resources
Official DMHA recovery hub connecting people and organizations with CPSP services, Recovery Community Organizations, Recovery Community Centers, the Indiana Recovery Network, Recovery Café Network, and Regional Recovery Hubs. (Indiana Government)
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/Recovery/
Indiana Recovery Works
State-funded behavioral health and recovery program serving eligible justice-involved individuals and maintaining provider, service delivery, billing compliance, and training resources. (Indiana Government)
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/recovery-works/
Indiana 988
State crisis resource connecting Hoosiers with 988 crisis services and Indiana’s mobile crisis system, which incorporates Certified Peer Support Professionals. (Indiana Government)
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/update-on-988-in-indiana/
Indiana Community Mental Health Center Directory
Official DMHA resource for identifying Indiana’s certified Community Mental Health Centers and other local behavioral health providers. (Indiana Government)
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/find-a-local-service-provider/
Indiana Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics
Official state resource for Indiana’s CCBHC implementation, demonstration sites, certification criteria, provider information, and comprehensive behavioral health service model. (Indiana Government)
Last checked: August 12, 2026 Link: https://www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/certified-community-behavioral-health-clinic/
Technology for Indiana Peer Support Programs
Technology designed for Indiana peer programs should account for the state’s multiple peer credentials, Medicaid unit structure, supervision requirements, crisis infrastructure, and recovery-community system.
Programs may need technology supporting:
- CPSP credential tracking
- CPRC-A credential tracking
- CPRC credential tracking
- Family recovery coach credentials
- National peer credentials
- Certemy status
- Two-year renewal cycles
- 40 CEU requirements
- Annual ethics training
- Crisis Peer certification
- CPR and First Aid tracking
- Peer-specific documentation
- Participant-defined goals
- Self-care plans
- Recovery plans
- Psychiatric advance directives
- Individual H0038 services
- 15-minute units
- Rolling 1,460-unit limits
- Prior authorization for additional units
- Peer supervision
- Clinical supervision
- Regional Recovery Hub workflows
- Recovery Community Organizations
- Recovery Community Centers
- Recovery Works
- Problem gambling peer support
- Referrals
- Caseloads
- Scheduling
- Participant communication
- Community resource navigation
- Housing referrals
- Transportation referrals
- Justice and reentry workflows
- Crisis-team workflows
- Medicaid documentation
- CCBHC workflows
- MRO workflows
- Grant reporting
- Outcomes
- Role-based permissions
- Sensitive substance use information
- Mobile and community-based workflows
Indiana is a particularly good example of why peer workforce software needs to separate credential, role, service, supervisor, and payer.
A CPSP working through a Regional Recovery Hub, a CPRC delivering Medicaid H0038 services, a family recovery coach, a mobile crisis peer, and a peer working through Recovery Works may all be described casually as “peer workers,” while operating under substantially different credentialing, training, supervision, documentation, and reimbursement structures.
Technology should preserve those distinctions while maintaining the relational and recovery-oriented nature of peer practice.
About Peerakeet
Peerakeet builds infrastructure for organizations delivering peer support and recovery services.
The platform supports peer-specific documentation, program workflows, supervision, participant engagement, scheduling, reporting, credential management, and day-to-day operations.
Peerakeet does not determine whether a service is billable and does not replace guidance from Indiana Medicaid, DMHA, FSSA, ICAADA, Medicaid managed care entities, attorneys, compliance professionals, or other applicable authorities.
Editorial Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general educational purposes. It is not legal, billing, credentialing, clinical, or regulatory advice.
Indiana peer-support requirements vary by Medicaid service, provider type, credential, population, contract, program, and funding source. Credential names, Medicaid requirements, reimbursement rates, procedure codes, service limitations, training requirements, and state guidance may change after publication.
Organizations and peer professionals should verify current requirements through Indiana DMHA, Indiana Medicaid, current IHCP Provider Reference Modules and bulletins, ICAADA, applicable contracts and managed care requirements, and qualified professional advisors.
Last reviewed: August 2026.