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Benefit Updates for Texas Medicaid Peer Specialist Services Effective December 1, 2026

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Effective for dates of service on or after December 1, 2026, benefits for peer specialist services will be updated.

Expanded Age Eligibility for Peer Specialist Services

Texas Medicaid will update the age eligibility for peer specialist services (procedure code H0038) from clients who are 21 years of age or older to clients who are 14 years of age or older.

Refer to Section 6, “Peer Specialist Services,” of the Texas Medicaid Provider Procedures Manual (TMPPM), Behavioral Health and Case Management Services Handbook for more information about peer specialist services.

Updated Telehealth Peer Specialist Services Benefit Information in the TMPPM

Peer specialist services may be delivered as a telehealth service. Providers must submit claims for telehealth peer specialist services as follows:

  • Procedure code H0038 must be submitted with modifier 95 for services that are provided by synchronous audiovisual technology.
  • Procedure code H0038 must be submitted with modifier FQ for services that are provided by synchronous telephone (audio-only) technology.

On December 1, 2026, the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP) will update section 6.4.1, “Reimbursement,” of the TMPPM, Behavioral Health and Case Management Services Handbook to remove the following bulleted statement:

  • “Must be delivered in person and not through advanced telecommunications technology”

Refer to Section 6.1.1, “Telehealth Service,” of the TMPPM, Behavioral Health and Case Management Services Handbook for more information about telehealth peer specialist services.

For more information, call the TMHP Contact Center at 800-925-9126.

Note: Texas Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) must provide all medically necessary, Medicaid-covered services to Medicaid members who are enrolled in their MCO. Administrative procedures, such as prior authorization, precertification, referrals, and claims and encounter data filing, may differ from traditional Medicaid (fee-for-service) and from MCO to MCO. Providers should contact the member’s specific MCO for details.