Press Release

COLUMBIA, S.C. – After nationwide reports of texts and calls seeking money to obtain or keep Medicaid coverage, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is warning the community about current Medicaid renewal scams that may target Healthy Connections Medicaid members.

Medicaid members in several states have received emails, texts or calls from scammers asking for money or gift cards to keep or reinstate health coverage.

COLUMBIA, S.C.– The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will resume its standard Medicaid eligibility annual reviews process April 1, 2023. This federally required process is in place to ensure those enrolled in Medicaid programs continue to meet established eligibility criteria. During the COVID-19 federal public health emergency (PHE), states were required to pause annual reviews and keep Medicaid members enrolled with very limited exceptions.

COLUMBIA, S.C.– The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) today announced the creation of a new grant program to increase access to crisis stabilization services for South Carolinians who are experiencing behavioral health episodes, including those associated with mental health and substance use.

COLUMBIA, S.C.– The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) announced it will resume its standard Medicaid annual eligibility reviews April 1, 2023, to comply with provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. This date marks the return of the agency’s standard annual review process that was in place prior to the COVID-19 federal public health emergency (PHE).

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) today announced it hired Dr. Kevin Wessinger as the agency’s new medical director. Dr. Wessinger, a Medical University of South Carolina graduate, practiced as a pediatrician for 33 years at Sandhills Pediatrics in the Midlands region of the state and served as the president of Sandhills Pediatrics and the South Carolina Pediatric Alliance until November 2022. Dr. Wessinger will join SCDHHS in January 2023.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Schools throughout South Carolina now have a new way to prepare teachers and other staff to support student mental health.

Psychology faculty at the University of South Carolina (UofSC) are creating the John H. Magill SC School Behavioral Health Academy (SBHA), a community of learning that will help schools build positive campus cultures and provide mental health services to students.

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) has launched a new portal at apply.scdhhs.gov that enables members to update their address and contact information online. Through the portal, Healthy Connections Medicaid members can change their address and contact information quickly and at a time convenient for them.

COLUMBIA, S.C.– The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with Children’s Trust of South Carolina, today launched Community Connections, a free 24/7 online database of resources that connects South Carolinians in need with available social and health care services across the state. Individuals can search for free or low-cost services like medical care; employment and job training opportunities; food and financial assistance; and, education, transportation and childcare resources in their communities.