Communications
Bulletins 
Jun 30, 2020
Public Notices
Final Action for Setting Payment Rates for Long Term Care Facility Services (Excluding State-owned Nursing Facilities)
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS), pursuant to the requirements of Section 1902(a)(13)(A) of the Social Security Act, gives notice of the following actions regarding its methods and standards for setting payment rates for long-term care facility services (excluding state-owned nursing facilities) under the South Carolina Medicaid State Plan (State Plan) under Title XIX of the Social Security Act Medical Assist
Post date: 09/30/2019 - 5:15pm
Final Action for Compliance with the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) gives notice of the following action regarding the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities (SUPPORT) Act under Title XIX of the Social Security Act Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid).
Post date: 09/27/2019 - 2:25pm
Proposed Action for Setting Payment Rates for Long Term Care Facility Services (Excluding State-owned Nursing Facilities)
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS), pursuant to the requirements of Section 1902(a)(13)(A) of the Social Security Act, gives notice of the following proposed actions regarding its methods and standards for setting payment rates for long-term care facility services (excluding state-owned nursing facilities) under the South Carolina Medicaid State Plan (State Plan) under Title XIX of the Social Security Act Medic
Post date: 08/16/2019 - 5:23pm
Revised South Carolina Home and Community-Based Services Statewide Transition Plan
Post date: 08/11/2019 - 10:31pm
Final Action for Reimbursement Changes for Medications Purchased through the 340B Program
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) gives notice of the following action regarding reimbursement for medications purchased through the 340B program under the State Plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid).
Post date: 06/28/2019 - 5:18pm
Final Action for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Rate Setting Methodology
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) gives notice of the following action regarding autism spectrum disorder (ASD) services under the State Plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid).
Post date: 06/28/2019 - 2:02pm
Final Action for the Incorporation of Institutions for Mental Diseases and Opioid Treatment Program Clinics in the Coordinated Care Benefit
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) gives notice regarding the inclusion of benefits for inpatient psychiatric care for children delivered in institutions for mental diseases (IMDs) and for services provided in opioid treatment program (OTP) clinics to capitated managed care, pursuant to the State Plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid).
Post date: 06/28/2019 - 12:46pm
Final Action for Professional Service Fee Schedules
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) gives notice of the following action regarding professional service fee schedules under the State Plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid).
Effective for dates of service on and after July 1, 2019, SCDHHS will amend the South Carolina Title XIX State Plan to update the fee schedule for providers indicated below.
Post date: 06/28/2019 - 11:26am
Final Action for Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID)
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS), pursuant to the requirements of Section 1902(a)(13)(A) of the Social Security Act, gives notice of the following action regarding its methods and standards for paying providers under the State Plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid).
Post date: 06/28/2019 - 11:16am
Proposed Action for the Incorporation of Institutions for Mental Diseases and Opioid Treatment Program Clinics in the Coordinated Care Benefit
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) gives notice regarding the inclusion of benefits for inpatient psychiatric care for children delivered in institutions for mental diseases (IMDs) and for services provided in opioid treatment program (OTP) clinics to capitated managed care, pursuant to the State Plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid).
Post date: 05/30/2019 - 3:43pm
Proposed Action for Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID)
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS), pursuant to the requirements of Section 1902(a)(13)(A) of the Social Security Act, gives notice of the following proposed action regarding its methods and standards for paying providers under the State Plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid).
Post date: 05/30/2019 - 2:43pm
Proposed Action for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Rate Setting Methodology
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) gives notice of the following proposed action regarding autism spectrum disorder (ASD) services under the state plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid).
Post date: 05/30/2019 - 2:23pm
Final Action for the Supplemental Teaching Physician (STP) Payment Program
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS), pursuant to the requirements of Section 1902(a)(13)(A) of the Social Security Act, gives notice of the following action regarding its methods and standards for setting payments for the Supplemental Teaching Physician (STP) Payment Program under the State Plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid).
Post date: 03/29/2019 - 2:09pm
Community Engagement Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver Application
Public notice is hereby given that South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) intends to apply 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.
Post date: 03/04/2019 - 7:28pm
Public Notice of Proposed Action for the Supplemental Teaching Physician (STP) Payment Program
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS), pursuant to the requirements of Section 1902(a)(13)(A) of the Social Security Act, gives notice of the following proposed action regarding its methods and standards for setting payments for the Supplemental Teaching Physician (STP) Payment Program under the State Plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid).
Post date: 03/01/2019 - 2:41pm
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.
Post date: 01/23/2019 - 8:43am
Public Notice of Final Action for the FFY 2019 DSH Payments and Swing Bed and Administrative Day Rate Changes
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS), pursuant to the requirements of Section 1902(a)(13)(A) of the Social Security Act, gives notice of the following actions regarding its methods and standards for establishing Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments to qualifying DSH hospitals, adjusting the SC Medicaid DSH Audit Redistribution Policy, and for updating the swing bed hospital and administrative d
Post date: 12/31/2018 - 4:05pm
Public Notice of Final Action for the Coverage of Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) Services
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) gives notice of the following action regarding the coverage of opioid treatment program (OTP) services under the State Plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid).
Post date: 12/28/2018 - 4:06pm
Public Notice of Final Action for Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID)
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (Department), pursuant to the requirements of Section 1902(a)(13)(A) of the Social Security Act, gives notice of the following action regarding its methods and standards for paying providers under the State Plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid).
Post date: 12/28/2018 - 4:10pm
Community Engagement Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver Application
I. Overview
Post date: 12/03/2018 - 12:31pm
Pages
Provider Alerts
Jun 22, 2020
Latest Press Releases
Jul 7, 2020
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) announced it will immediately begin accepting applications for a new limited-benefit Medicaid coverage group to provide reimbursement for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing for those without healthcare coverage. SCDHHS’ COVID-19 Limited Benefit Program was authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and will provide additional financial support to increase access to testing, a critical component of the state’s response to addressing the pandemic, for South Carolinians without other sources of healthcare coverage.
Mar 31, 2017
Governor Henry McMaster today announced Christian L. Soura’s resignation as Director of the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, effective April 7, 2017.
Jun 2, 2016
South Carolina Birth Outcomes Initiative Wins National Award for Innovative Strategies to Improve Health of Moms and Babies
Feb 23, 2016
Beginning April 1, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will require that providers verify Medicaid members' controlled substance prescription history before issuing prescriptions for opioids
Reports / Statistics
The Department of Health and Human Services shall establish a procedure to assess the various forms of health care delivery systems to measure cost effectiveness and quality. These measures must be compiled on an annual basis on identifiable benchmarks. These measures must broadly address agency program areas and initiatives using national and state measures. Cost effectiveness shall be determined in an actuarially sound manner and data must be aggregated in a manner to be determined by a third party. The methodology must use appropriate case-mix and actuarial adjustments. The department shall issue an annual healthcare report of statewide measures deemed appropriate by the department required under state and federal guidelines. The report shall be formatted in a clear, concise manner in order to be easily understood by Medicaid beneficiaries and other stakeholders. The annual results of the cost effectiveness calculations, quality measures and the report cards shall be made public on the department's website by December thirty-first for the prior state fiscal year.
Posted: 01/22/2015 - 3:38pm
Posted: 11/20/2014 - 4:33pm
Posted: 11/20/2014 - 4:31pm
Modular is Hard but Possible
John Supra
Deputy Director & CIO
MESC 2014 – Denver, Colorado
Posted: 08/21/2014 - 8:14pm
Is it a Silver Bullet?
John Supra
Deputy Director & CIO
MESC 2014 – Denver, Colorado
Posted: 08/21/2014 - 8:05pm
Submitted April 1, 2014
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) engages in an on-going effort to prevent and identify fraud in the Medicaid program, and to recover the funds lost because of fraudulent and excessive practices on the part of healthcare providers. Not only is this mandated by federal regulations found in 42 CFR 455, it is even more critical because of the need to better manage scarce public resources in a time of rising demand and decreasing tax dollars. The department is committed to increasing the numbers of cases referred to the SC Attorney General's Office for fraud and the recovery of funds lost due to fraud, waste and abuse.
The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association estimates that fraud accounts for 3 percent of the nation's annual health care spending. Other estimates by government and law enforcement agencies such as the FBI place the loss due to health care fraud as high as 10 percent of annual health care expenditures. Federal regulations define fraud as "intentional deception or misrepresentation made by a person with the knowledge that the deception could result in an unauthorized benefit to himself or some other person." (42CFR 455.2) Medicaid fraud is a criminal matter. Waste, improper claims, billing errors, and abuse also cause losses of Medicaid funds but are not criminal actions.
SCDHHS receives fraud "tips" from its fraud hotline and also conducts extensive data mining to identify potential fraud cases. Federal regulations require SCDHHS to conduct a preliminary investigation upon suspicion of fraud and then refer the cases to the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) in the SC Attorney General's Office. Cases are also referred to the MFCU from other sources, such as the FBI, the US Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General, other state agencies, and the MFCU's own fraud hotline. SCDHHS' Division of Program Integrity conducts these preliminary investigations and collaborates with the MFCU on all fraud cases. Fraud cases can take several years before final adjudication and the collection of any penalties or claim refunds by SCDHHS.
In general, healthcare fraud involves filing a false claim for Medicaid payments, which can include services that were never provided, or were provided but were not medically necessary. The MFCU also participates in national cases against pharmaceutical companies that manipulate wholesale prices on drugs to get more money from Medicaid. While these are also considered fraud cases, they are prosecuted as civil cases as opposed to criminal cases.
The following table reports Medicaid provider fraud cases that were opened during calendar year 2013 updated for the most current data available through February 2014; the amounts recovered by the Attorney General's Office and Program Integrity and the number of convictions for the same time frame; and the number of recoveries from civil settlements in the national pharmaceutical cases. The federal share of the Medicaid funds recovered (approximately 69% - 70%) must be returned; SCDHHS can retain the state share of these recoveries and use it to again match federal monies for the on-going operation of the Medicaid program.
The total number of on-going cases for Medicaid provider fraud at the Attorney General's Office totaled 104 as of February 2014; 78 of these cases resulted from referrals by SCDHHS. This includes cases that were opened in previous years (and therefore not counted in the table below) but are still on-going.
MEDICAID FRAUD CASES 2013
| CY 2013 | |
| Provider Fraud Cases | |
| New Provider Fraud Cases Opened | 45 |
| # / % Referred by SCDHHS | 29 / 64% |
| Current Status: | |
| Active | 14 |
| Closed | 4 |
| Results | |
| Recovered from Provider Fraud Cases (1) | $1,239,860.19 |
| Recoveries from all other Program Integrity cases (2) | $9,377,884.99 |
| Convictions | 17 |
| Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Cases | |
| # of Cases with Recoveries | 21 |
| Amounts Recovered | $14,793,812.80 |
(1) All dollars shown are Federal and State. Some of the recoveries in 2013 are from cases opened in prior year(s).
(2) Program Integrity recoveries due to cases for waste, overpayments, improper payments, and a that were not referred for potential fraud.
Posted: 04/02/2014 - 2:52pm
Posted: 03/19/2014 - 2:07pm
Posted: 02/06/2014 - 9:57am
SCDHHS Budget Presentation
FY 2013 Year End
Tony Keck, Director
December 4, 2013
Posted: 12/04/2013 - 5:06pm
Posted: 08/19/2013 - 11:14am
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) releases its findings on current regulatory burdens on businesses.
Posted: 06/07/2013 - 9:07am
Posted: 04/10/2013 - 11:09am
Posted: 04/02/2013 - 1:14pm
Posted: 03/28/2013 - 11:21am
Posted: 03/07/2013 - 10:43am
Posted: 02/06/2013 - 10:07am