Beginning May 1, 2008, certain healthy adults and children residing in Richland County, who have been eligible for Medicaid for at least three (3) months, can choose to enroll in a Health Opportunity Account (HOA). HOA is a five-year pilot program, which allows Medicaid eligibles to manage the cost of their Medicaid services. The HOA participant is rewarded for staying healthy and seeking preventive care.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will place a set amount of funds ($2,500 for adults and $1,000 for children) each year the participant is enrolled in the HOA. As the participant receives Medicaid covered services, the cost of the care is deducted from the account. Funds are to be used for Medicaid covered services only and payments are made directly to the Medicaid enrolled provider. Preventive care, such as an adult physical or child's well care or immunization visit, is not deducted from the account. Participants are required to pay an out-of-pocket deductible ($250 for adult and $100 for child), if they spend all the money in their account before the end of the year, or they can disenroll from the HOA program.

When the HOA participant is no longer eligible for Medicaid, most of the funds left in the account can be used for job training, education or other health care expenses. The money is never available to the participant to withdraw cash.

For more information on HOA, please go to one of the links provided below or call 1-888-549-0820 and speak to an Enrollment Counselor.

• HOA Brochure
• How to Enroll