Peer Support
Peer support is a behavioral health service available to AHCCCS members. Peer support services are for members who may need more personalized support than natural supports or community based recovery groups (such as 12 Step groups) can provide.

Practitioners of Peer Support Services are called Peer and Recovery Support Specialists (PRSS). PRSS have their own story of behavioral health recovery and utilize their lived experience to help the people they serve and promote recovery-oriented environments. A PRSS works with individuals during their recovery journey, sharing skills, coaching, and providing support.
Peer support is many things, and often dependent upon the needs of the individual being served. Peer support services include, but are not limited to assistance with:
- Identifying needs and recovery goals,
- Lessening feelings of isolation,
- Increasing practical knowledge to access supports and resources in the community,
- Exploring continued education and/or employment opportunities,
- Partnering with other healthcare practitioners,
- Overcoming service barriers, and
- Understanding and positively adapting to behavioral health challenges using:
- Support groups,
- Coaching,
- Role modeling, and
- Mentoring.
To connect with peer support services, AHCCCS members can contact their AHCCCS health plan or Office of Individual and Family Affairs (OIFA). OIFA partners with members and their supporters to ensure that they are connected to provider supportive services.
To learn more about peer support in Arizona, review our Peer Support FAQs.
Peer support services can only be delivered by a Peer and Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS). A PRSS is someone with lived experience of behavioral health and/or substance use recovery who has received specialized training on how to use their experience to help others.
To be employed as a PRSS in Arizona, individuals must complete an AHCCCS-recognized training program and pass a competency exam. There are many training programs across the state, and while all trainings cover behavioral health and substance abuse, some trainings also focus on criminal justice involvement or other specialized topics such as Opioid Use Disorder. Agencies with AHCCCS-recognized training programs are listed below. Visit their websites or contact them for training availability and enrollment requirements. AHCCCS members may contact their provider’s employment specialist or AHCCCS Health Plan for assistance.
AHCCCS-recognized Peer Support Employment Training Programs
Providers seeking review and recognition shall submit a completed application to OIFAAlliance@azahcccs.gov with “Attn: PSETP Application'' in the subject line. Upon receipt of the application, the OIFA Alliance will jointly determine a Lead Contractor to perform program reviews and approvals on behalf of all the Contractors. Once the application review has been completed, the applicant will be notified within 30 days by the Lead Contractor.
The OIFA Alliance seeks to preserve the essence of, and uphold the integrity of, peer support as established in national recognized guidelines. To ensure this objective, Peer Support Employment Training Programs (PSETPs) must:
- Be an AHCCCS registered provider delivering services for at least one year,
- Intend to develop or adopt an AHCCCS recognized PSETP training of the core elements in AMPM Policy 963,
- Utilize trainers who hold a Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) credential from an AHCCCS recognized PSETP or reciprocal program
- Only train individuals who meet the qualifications in AHCCCS AMPM Policy 963 and have experience of sustained recovery,
- Be knowledgeable of competencies and required qualifications in Nationally Recognized Practice Guidelines, and
- Complete and submit an application to OIFAAlliance@azahcccs.gov.
If you have any questions, please contact OIFAAlliance@azahcccs.gov.
Who to contact
AHCCCS members can contact their AHCCCS health plan or Office of Individual and Family Affairs (OIFA). OIFA partners with members and their supporters to ensure that they are connected to provider supportive services.
AHCCCS Health Plan Contacts
AHCCCS Complete Care Health Plans | |
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Arizona Complete Health - Complete Care Plan Customer Service 1-888-788-4408 www.azcompletehealth.com/completecare |
Mercy Care Customer Service 1-800-624-3879 www.mercycareaz.org |
Care 1st Health Plan Customer Service 1-866-560-4042 www.care1staz.com |
Molina Healthcare Customer Service 1-800-424-5891 www.mccofaz.com |
Banner – University Family Care Customer Service 1-800-582-8686 www.bannerufc.com/acc |
United Healthcare Community Plan Customer Service 1-800-348-4058 www.uhccommunityplan.com |
Health Choice Arizona Customer Service 1-800-322-8670 www.healthchoiceaz.com |
Mercy Care Department of Child Safety Comprehensive Health Plan |
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Customer Service 1-833-711-0776 mercycareaz.org |
Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) Health Plans | |
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Banner – University Family Care LTC Customer Service 1-833-318-4146 www.bannerufc.com |
Mercy Care LTC Customer Service 1-800-624-3879 www.mercycareaz.org |
United Healthcare LTC Customer Service 1-800-293-3740 www.uhccommunityplan.com |
Department of Economic Security/
Division of Developmental Disabilities (DES/DDD) Customer Service 1-844-770-9500 www.azdes.gov/ddd/ |
AHCCCS Complete Care Regional Behavioral Health Agreements | ||
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Arizona Complete Health - ACC-RBHA Customer Service 1-888-788-4408 www.azcompletehealth.com/completecare |
Mercy Care ACC-RBHA Customer Service 1-800-564-5465 www.mercycareaz.org |
Care1st ACC-RBHA Customer Service 1-866-560-4042 www.care1staz.com |
- Coconino
- Please contact the Office of Individual and Family Affairs department for the assigned Health Plan to get connected to Peer Support Services in your area.
- Care 1st Health Plan 480.205.2305
- Health Choice Arizona 928.214.2168
- Gila County Resources
- Please contact the Office of Individual and Family Affairs department for the assigned Health Plan to get connected to Peer Support Services in your area.
- Arizona Complete Health 520.809.6526
- Health Choice Arizona 928.214.2168
- Mercy Care Plan 602.621.0110
- Banner University Family Plan 480.827.598
- DES/DDD 602.542.2822
- Molina 480.263.1001
- United Health Care 602.255.8605
- Graham County Resources
- Please contact the Office of Individual and Family Affairs department for the assigned Health Plan to get connected to Peer Support Services in your area.
- Arizona Complete Health 520.809.6526
- Banner University Family Plan 480.827.5988
- Greenlee County Resources
- Please contact the Office of Individual and Family Affairs department for the assigned Health Plan to get connected to Peer Support Services in your area.
- Arizona Complete Health 520.809.6526
- Banner University Family Plan 480.827.5988
- Maricopa County Resources
- Please contact the Office of Individual and Family Affairs department for the assigned Health Plan to get connected to Peer Support Services in your area.
- Arizona Complete Health 520.809.6526
- Health Choice Arizona 928.214.2168
- Mercy Care Plan 602.621.0110
- Banner University Family Plan 480.827.598
- DES/DDD 602.542.2822
- Molina 480.263.1001
- United Health Care 602.255.8605
- Mohave County Resources
- Please contact the Office of Individual and Family Affairs department for the assigned Health Plan to get connected to Peer Support Services in your area.
- Care 1st Health Plan 480.205.2305
- Health Choice Arizona 928.214.2168
- Navajo County Resources
- Please contact the Office of Individual and Family Affairs department for the assigned Health Plan to get connected to Peer Support Services in your area.
- Care 1st Health Plan 480.205.2305
- Health Choice Arizona 928.214.2168
- Pima County Resources
- Please contact the Office of Individual and Family Affairs department for the assigned Health Plan to get connected to Peer Support Services in your area.
- Arizona Complete Health 520.809.6526
- Banner University Family Plan 480.827.5988
- United Health Care 602.255.8605
- Pinal County Resources
- Please contact the Office of Individual and Family Affairs department for the assigned Health Plan to get connected to Peer Support Services in your area.
- Arizona Complete Health 520.809.6526
- Health Choice Arizona 928.214.2168
- Mercy Care Plan 602.621.0110
- Banner University Family Plan 480.827.598
- DES/DDD 602.542.2822
- Molina 480.263.1001
- United Health Care 602.255.8605
- Santa Cruz County Resources
- Please contact the Office of Individual and Family Affairs department for the assigned Health Plan to get connected to Peer Support Services in your area.
- Arizona Complete Health 520.809.6526
- Banner University Family Plan 480.827.598
- Yavapai County Resources
- Please contact the Office of Individual and Family Affairs department for the assigned Health Plan to get connected to Peer Support Services in your area.
- Care 1st Health Plan 480.205.2305
- Health Choice Arizona 928.214.2168
- Santa Cruz County Resources
- Please contact the Office of Individual and Family Affairs department for the assigned Health Plan to get connected to Peer Support Services in your area.
- Arizona Complete Health 520.809.6526
- Banner University Family Plan 480.827.5988