From staff reports
To assist patients with Medicaid health coverage who are now facing the process of requalifying for coverage for the first time since 2020, Beaufort Memorial has partnered with Resource Corporation of America (RCA) to provide help with the reapplication process and finding other coverage if no longer eligible.
RCA works with healthcare providers across the nation and is recognized as one of the largest and most experienced privately-held eligibility vendors in the country. Its staff is thoroughly trained to provide the most up-to-date assistance with health coverage eligibility criteria and application processing.
Annual eligibility review process
Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency and the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SC DHHS) paused its standard annual Medicaid coverage review process in March 2020 and only removed members from its Healthy Connections Medicaid program if they moved, requested to be removed or passed away.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which was signed into law last December, directed all state Medicaid agencies to restart their standard annual eligibility review process by April 1, 2023.
It is estimated that in South Carolina, 15 to 20 percent of Medicaid members will lose their coverage based on an analysis of Medicaid enrollment reports by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
SC DHHS has begun to review groups of cases each month and will continue to do so over the next 12 months. Members will be contacted by mail when it is time for their review. Failure to return a completed annual review form may result in a member’s loss of benefits. It is extremely important that the state has up-to-date contact information for all Medicaid members so they will receive their notices.
Currently have South Carolina Medicaid?
To ensure that you can be reached about any changes to your coverage, make sure that SC DHHS has your correct contact information. There are three ways to verify and correct your information:
– Use the “Healthy Connections QuickTools” at apply.scdhhs.gov.
– Call 888-549-0820 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
– Visit your local eligibility office:
Beaufort County
1905 Duke Street
Beaufort, SC 29902-4403
Hampton County
102 Ginn Altman Avenue, Suite B
Hampton, SC 29924-3962
Jasper County
10908 North Jacob Smart Boulevard
Ridgeland, SC 29936-2708
If you need assistance
Some members who complete an annual review form will no longer meet Medicaid eligibility requirements. In those instances, their Medicaid coverage will end on the date specified in their notification from SC DHHS. These members will be able to shop for private medical insurance and enroll in coverage through the Health Insurance Exchange. These members may also contact their current Medicaid managed care organization (e.g., Absolute Total Care, First Choice, Healthy Blue, Humana or Molina) about other coverage plans they may qualify for on the Health Insurance Marketplace or check with their current employer to see if they offer health coverage.
Community members who need help with requalifying for South Carolina Medicaid or finding other health coverage after being notified of no longer qualifying, should call RCA at 866-681-0858. There is no cost for this assistance.
Visit BeaufortMemorial.org/Medicaid for other resources.
