The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) gives notice of the following  action regarding the reintroduction of podiatry benefits for adult Medicaid beneficiaries under the State Plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid).

Effective on or after Jan. 1, 2020, SCDHHS will amend the South Carolina Title XIX State Plan to allow coverage of podiatry services for Medicaid eligible adults over age 21.

Based on recent trend analysis of historical utilization when the adult podiatry benefit existed, the estimated annual cost of restoring the adult podiatry benefit is $2.1 million ($1.6 million Medicaid MCO and $.5 million Medicaid FFS). Most of this utilization is anticipated in the Social Security Income (SSI) Disability population, with a lower volume of demand for healthy adults and pregnant women.

Copies of this notice are available at each South Carolina Healthy Connections Medicaid county office and at www.scdhhs.govfor public review. Additional information regarding this action is available upon request at the address cited below.

Any written comments submitted may be reviewed by the public at the SCDHHS, Division of Coverage and Benefit Design, Jefferson Square Building, 1801 Main Street, Columbia, South Carolina, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.