Covid-19

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) provided funding to enhance, expand or strengthen HCBS beyond what was available under states’ Medicaid programs as of April 1, 2021. The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ (SCDHHS) ongoing evaluation of HCBS demonstrates that additional support is warranted to maintain an adequate direct care provider network. Nationally, health care providers are experiencing a shortage of direct care workers and this shortage is impacting each of South Carolina’s Medicaid HCBS programs.

During the initial response to the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) announced temporary policy changes designed to ensure ongoing access to care for Healthy Connections Medicaid members enrolled in HCBS waiver programs and Healthy Connections Prime.

During the initial response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) announced dozens of temporary policy changes designed to ensure ongoing access to care for Healthy Connections Medicaid members. The majority of these policy changes were issued using emergency authorities derived from the federal public health emergency (PHE) and were issued for the duration of the PHE. 

*October 4, 2022 Update: SCDHHS is updating its guidance on occupational therapy previously published in Medicaid bulletin 22-005. SCDHHS will now extend the flexibility for occupational therapy services for one year after the expiration of the current federal PHE for further evaluation. For more information on this update, please refer to Medicaid bulletin 22-016.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will reimburse for Food and Drug Administration-approved coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) over-the-counter (OTC) tests for home use. SCDHHS will reimburse SCDHHS-enrolled pharmacy providers for these tests as authorized within sections 9811 and 9821 of the American Rescue Plan Act, and further delineated within the August 30, 2021, letter from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (SHO# 21-003).   

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently updated its recommendations regarding who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine to include children ages 5-11 years. The CDC has also updated its recommendations on who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will reimburse enrolled providers for the administration of COVID-19 vaccines, including additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine consistent with the CDC’s guidance.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will reimburse for the administration of additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine consistent with the updated emergency use authorization issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).