The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), has published National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification for substance use, mental health, and family peer workers.
These standards aim to foster universal adoption, recognition, and integration of the peer workforce across all elements of the healthcare system. Peer workers, individuals with personal experience in addressing substance use or mental health issues, play a pivotal role in the treatment and recovery journey.
Integrating peer workers into the healthcare system is a component of President Biden's National Mental Health Strategy. These workers provide unique support in the treatment and recovery process, offering empathy and understanding derived from their own lived experiences.
However, the sensitive nature of the information they handle necessitates stringent standards to ensure HIPAA compliance. This is particularly relevant in areas such as email communication and marketing strategies aimed at promoting treatment adherence, which must be conducted in a way that maintains patient privacy and confidentiality.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the importance of the peer workforce, stating, "Our peer workforce plays a critical role in the treatment and recovery journey for individuals with behavioral health issues. These new national standards will help advance President Biden's strategy to tackle the nation's behavioral health crisis. We can improve health outcomes for people with behavioral health issues by better integrating the peer workforce into our health care system. Getting help from a person who has been successful in the recovery process can be lifechanging."
The national model standards were developed with federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local partners, including peer specialists. They are intended as guidance for states, territories, tribes, and others to promote quality and encourage alignment and reciprocity across state peer support certifications. The standards also provide a framework for ensuring HIPAA compliance in all aspects of peer support work, including the use of HIPAA compliant email and email newsletter strategies to enhance treatment adherence.
These standards are expected to enhance the quality of peer support services and promote better health outcomes for individuals with behavioral health issues. By ensuring that peer support work adheres to HIPAA regulations, the standards will also help to safeguard patient privacy and confidentiality.
The publication of these national model standards represents a significant step towards enhancing the role of peer workers in the healthcare system. By ensuring HIPAA compliance, particularly in areas such as email communication and marketing, these standards will help to protect patient privacy while promoting better treatment adherence and health outcomes.