Medicaid, the largest health care program in the nation, provides coverage for more than 69 million low-income Americans. including families, children, pregnant women, those with disabilities and seniors.
Medicaid is funded by the federal government in conjunction with individual state governments. The South Carolina Medicaid program, Healthy Connections, is overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services. The program pays for medical bills and nursing home care for seniors who meet these guidelines:
- Monthly income of $2,313 or less per individual
- $2,000 in countable assets for individuals or $4,000 for couples
Seniors receiving Supplemental Security Income automatically qualify for Medicaid.
If only one spouse applies, married couples with an income over their combined individual limits ($4,626) may still qualify. South Carolina allows the transfer of up to $3,160.50 in monthly income to cover a non-applicant spouse’s living expenses.
Assets not counted against limits include an occupied primary home with equity less than $585,000, household and personal effects, one vehicle and a burial trust. An additional $66,480 in jointly owned assets are exempt for a non-applicant spouse.
Long-Term Care Community Choices Waiver
Healthy Connections doesn’t cover the cost of assisted living, but it does offer a Community Choices waiver that may relieve related expenses. The waiver helps reduce nursing home placements by covering the cost of support services at home or in an assisted living facility, allowing seniors to live safely in the community. The program doesn’t contribute toward room-and-board fees, but it does pay for necessary services such as:
- Case management
- Assistance with daily living activities, such as bathing, toileting, dressing and eating
- Companion and attendant services
- Durable medical equipment
- Disposable incontinence supplies
- Nutritional supplements
- Monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar levels and other vitals
- Personal emergency response systems
- Transportation
- Limited skilled nursing care
To qualify, South Carolina seniors must be U.S. citizens or legal residents age 65 or older. Additionally, they must be Medicaid eligible and require the level of care normally provided in a nursing home.
Program enrollment is limited by SCDHHS, so qualified seniors may be put on a waiting list until spots open up.
To learn more about Medicaid in South Carolina or the Community Choices waiver, call (888) 549-0820, visit the Healthy Connections Spartanburg office at 1000 N Pine St, Ste 23 or enroll by completing an online application.