Press-Releases

Community Connections Provides Database to Connect Those Seeking Help to Programs and Resources That Can Lead to Better Health Outcomes

Amendment Introduced by Rep. Herbkersman Supports Agency Initiative Introduced in 2019 to Provide Additional Resources to Low-income, New Mothers

South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) Acting Director Thomas Clark Phillip, in coordination with Governor Henry McMaster, today urged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to maintain a key public health initiative it approved in December 2019. In a letter sent to Acting CMS Administrator Elizabeth Richter, Phillip requested the Biden administration uphold the two Section 1115 demonstration waivers that make up the Healthy Connections Community Engagement Initiative citing its “innovative approach to promote better health outcomes and financial independence by providing access to resources to the most vulnerable South Carolinians while incentivizing able-bodied South Carolinians to achieve self-sustainability.”

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.

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.

South Carolina Birth Outcomes Initiative Wins National Award for Innovative Strategies to Improve Health of Moms and Babies

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

Project Aims To Reduce Preterm Births; Prevent Child Injury

A summary all of public comments received on the proposed five-year renewal of the Intellectually Disabled and Related Disabilities (ID/RD) home and community-based waiver program and the ID/RD Waiver Transition plan.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), the South Carolina Birth Outcomes Initiative (SCBOI), the South Carolina Neonatology Consortium and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) have teamed up to open South Carolina’s first Mother’s Milk Bank to improve the health of the state’s most vulnerable infants. This milk bank will provide breast milk to very low birth-weight (VLBW) babies – infants weighing less than 3.3 pounds - in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in South Carolina.

50-foot vehicle delivers onsite training statewide to reduce non-medically necessary C-sections

An annual report released today highlights how the South Carolina Birth Outcomes Initiative (SCBOI), a multi-stakeholder collaborative led by the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) focused on improving birth outcomes, has successfully reduced non-medically necessary early-elective inductions by 50 percent from 2011 to 2013 with 60 percent of all birthing hospitals in our state boasting a rate of zero percent for early elective inductions between 37 and 38 weeks.

Over 10,000 participants enrolled in statewide program to improve health

Over 10,000 participants enrolled in statewide program to improve health

Columbia, SC - In support of our efforts to improve the health of moms and babies in our state, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) and the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA) are hosting the third annual South Carolina Birth Outcomes Initiative (SCBOI) Symposium on Thursday, November 6 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. at the Columbia Marriott.

Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) was awarded a four-year grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to implement the Palmetto Coordinated System of Care (PCSC). This statewide collaborative implements innovative best practices in care for children and youth with behavioral health needs in South Carolina.

Project supports new statewide care model for children and youth with behavioral health disorders

Columbia, S.C. – Tony Keck, Director of the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS), received the 2014 Early Childhood Champion award from the Institute for Child Success (ICS), a research and policy organization working across South Carolina to create a culture that facilitates and fosters the success of young children.

Columbia, SC – The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) is proud to announce that Adriana Day, CPA, will serve as Deputy Director for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) starting March 28, 2014. Elizabeth (Beth) Hutto, Esq., who served as interim Deputy Director and CFO, has been named Deputy Director for Eligibility, Enrollment and Member Services.

The Horry County Medicaid Eligibility office and Medicaid Community Long-Term Care office in Conway are moving to a new location in the Genesis Complex at 1201 Creel St.

Despite strong medical schools, high resident retention rates and $189,940,402 in spending on Graduate Medical Education (GME) by South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) in state fiscal year 2012, South Carolina has struggled for years to attract and retain physicians to serve rural areas and the urban poor.

SC Hospitals partner with primary care groups to improve health outcomes for frequent ER users

Phase one of new tool helps users identify and interpret hospital financial and operational trends

SCDHHS rewards successful hospitals $800,000 for improved practices to support breastfeeding.

New Case Study Provides Insights to Other States, Advice on Payment Reform

South Carolina shows improvement in 2013 March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card.

South Carolina signs a Memorandum of Understanding with CMS to use new approaches to better integrate care of Medicare-Medicaid enrollees.

On October 1, South Carolina Healthy Connections successfully launched our online application at apply.scddhs.gov, enabling us to streamline the application process and provide 24/7 online self-service. The first online application was submitted within the first hour of the site’s launch, and in its first day more than 300 online applications were completed.

Columbia, SC - In an effort to provide flexibility and convenience, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) is launching Healthy Connection’s new customer-focused, online Medicaid application today.