SCDHHS Extends Public Comment Period for Community Engagement Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver Application

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) extends the public comment period for its Community Engagement Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver Application, which began Dec. 3, 2018, to a full 60 days. The public comment period will remain open until 5 p.m. Feb. 4, 2019.

Public notice is hereby given that SCDHHS intends to submit an application for a new section 1115 demonstration waiver to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to promote South Carolina Healthy Connections Medicaid beneficiaries’ health and well-being through incentivizing community engagement. The public can review the full public notice and official waiver application online at https://msp.scdhhs.gov/cew and provide comments until Feb. 4, 2019.

SCDHHS will submit the Community Engagement Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver Application to CMS that will authorize SCDHHS to implement policies related to community engagement activities for Medicaid beneficiaries who are enrolled in the Parent Caretaker Relative (PCR) and Transitional Medicaid Assistance (TMA) groups. Once approved, this waiver will allow SCDHHS to apply community engagement requirements to qualified PCR and TMA Medicaid beneficiaries as a condition of maintaining an active eligibility status.

Individuals who qualify for community engagement activities and who fail to participate in one of the approved activities will have their Medicaid eligibility placed in a suspended status until the requirements are met.

Communication

A copy of the full public notice and demonstration application is available at the following locations:

1. Website: www.scdhhs.gov (under the “Public Notice,” “Waiver” and “Community Engagement Waiver” sections)

2. Hardcopies:

a. SCDHHS Main Office, 1801 Main Street, Columbia, SC

b. All Healthy Connections County Offices

3. Email: A copy may also be requested by at CEWaiver@scdhhs.gov.

Public Notice/Community Engagement Waiver

Information on the proposed community engagement demonstration waiver was discussed at six public hearings across the state. Additionally, SCDHHS held a webinar on the community engagement demonstration waiver application.

Public Comments and Responses

SCDHHS wants to hear from the public about the proposed section 1115 demonstration waiver to improve the health of Medicaid beneficiaries through community engagement. Public comments must be received by 5 p.m. Feb. 4, 2019:

1. Website: https://msp.scdhhs.gov/cew

2. Email: CEWaiver@scdhhs.gov

3. Mail: South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Attn: Community Engagement Waiver

P.O. Box 8206, Columbia, SC 29202