BMS Announcement RE: PRSS Required Certification Time Extension

The Bureau for Medical Services (BMS) provided a two-year period from October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2022, to assist individuals with a BMS certification to transition to the West Virginia Board for Addiction & Prevention Professionals (WVCBAPP) Peer Recovery certification. October 1, 2022 is fast approaching and BMS would like to make sure this announcement reaches everyone involved with Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) services.

BMS is extending this transition to December 31, 2022, but will no longer offer the BMS certification for PRSS services after September 30, 2022. Beginning October 1, 2022, new PRSS will be required to obtain the WVCBAPP Peer Recovery certification prior to providing services. On January 1, 2023, BMS will only accept the WVCBAPP Peer Recovery certification for reimbursement on PRSS services. There is no grandfathering between these two certifications.

By August 1, 2022, BMS is requiring that all current PRSS (and future PRSS) obtain a National Provider Identifier (NPI.) The Taxonomy Code for a PRSS is 17500000X. The description can be found on the NPI Peer Specialist webpage. Once the Gainwell Technologies’ system is ready, agencies will be notified to begin enrolling their PRSS providers.

·         Information for PRSS services can be found in Chapter 504 Substance Use Disorder Services under section 504.15.1 as well as under our Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) Certification Page

·         Information regarding the WVCBAPP certification can be found at http://www.wvcbapp.org

·         Information on obtaining an NPI can be found at the CMS NPI Webpage

·         Information about Gainwell Technologies can be found at https://dhhr.wv.gov/bms/Provider/DXC/Pages/default.aspx