Does Official Recognition of Peers Undermine Their Work? Peer specialists’ role under Medicaid-managed care: Concerns voiced by a senior peer specialist and recovery advocate working in New Mexico. 32 Peer support specialists are individuals who have had experience with emotional distress, trauma, or other emotional challenges and have been trained to assist others experiencing emotional distress. Peers’ interventions improve self-esteem and confidence, the ability to bring about changes, and the feeling that treatment is addressing the real needs of individuals. In the past few years, peer support specialists have been officially recognized as essential figures by Medicaid, managed care organizations, and other public health institutions for the delivery of integrated and coordinated behavioral health services.