UPDATE: In 2020, Medicaid requirements and application steps are expected to remain the same.
Where do you sign up for Medicaid in South Carolina? Prior to filling out an SC Medicaid application, you must ensure you are eligible to receive government-sponsored medical coverage. Only after you have confirmed you qualify to apply for Medicaid in South Carolina should you proceed with your paperwork.
How can I apply for Medicaid? And, exactly where can I apply for Medicaid? Find the answers to those questions and more in the below sections, which outline:
What Are the Medicaid Application Requirements in South Carolina?
In order to apply for Medicaid or Medicaid-based programs in South Carolina, you will need to complete an application and include any and all ID verification materials requested. When your forms for Medicaid application are submitted, South Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services will verify all information sent in during the application process.
Be sure to have your South Carolina residency information and your proof of U.S. citizenship (or legal status) documentation nearby. You will also need your Social Security Number to round out your identity information. Learn more about the requirements for filing an application with our detailed guide.
Your SC Medicaid application is heavily based on your income. Therefore, accompany your Medicaid application forms with financial documents, such as your tax forms or pay stubs, along with banking information regarding any assets to be counted. Regardless of what you choose to include, the Department of Health and Human Services will run a scan on your financial history to confirm the numbers given.
Additional details to have handy for your Medicaid application in South Carolina include any current health insurance plan information – if you are receiving healthcare benefits through work or the private marketplace – along with medical history information. If you are pregnant, disabled or elderly, note these facts where indicated.
You can apply for Medicaid as an individual, or on behalf of your family. If you choose to file an application for Medicaid in South Carolina on behalf of additional family members, you must include all of the above information in regard to anyone else residing in your household.
You will be ready to sign up for Medicaid once you have compiled the documents mentioned above.
How to Apply for Medicaid Online in South Carolina
Where do you sign up for Medicaid online? The state of South Carolina has worked to ensure its website and the online Medicaid application are both easy to navigate. South Carolina Healthy Connections is an online portal that allows South Carolina residents to access potential benefits 24 hours a day.
First, you will need to create a master login username and password. Have your Social Security Number and identifying information ready, as they will be needed to ensure the safety and protection of your identity.
Get more information about how to apply with our in-depth benefits guide.
You will be able to apply for South Carolina Medicaid once you’ve created a login for the Healthy Connections website. During the SC Medicaid application process, you will be asked for identifying information including your work history, your current address, your Social Security Number, your immigration status information and your household information.
Through a digital verification process, the state of South Carolina will ensure your data is correctly entered. Once you submit your Medicaid application in South Carolina, the Department of Health and Human Services will review your electronic paperwork and make a decision regarding your enrollment.
You will be able to check the status of your application for Medicaid once you have submitted it. It should be noted, however, that it can take several days for statuses to update. Those who are applying for Medicaid based on disability should allow up to 90 for their applications to be processed. Disability claims take longer to process due to the need to collect medical information from the applicant and medical professionals.
If your online Medicaid application is approved, you will receive a Medicaid insurance card within 30 days of submitting your application. If you are denied medical benefits coverage, you will receive a letter outlining the reasons for your denial.
Where to Apply for Medicaid in Person
Where can you apply for Medicaid if you cannot apply for Medicaid online? You can go visit a nearby location and request your paperwork in person. South Carolina Medicaid applications can be obtained at your local county office. You can find your local county office by visiting the South Carolina Healthy Connections website.
Prior to heading to a local office to sign up for Medicaid benefits, you should call ahead to book an appointment. Appointment times will vary based on the volume of applicants your particular office deals with on a regular basis.
Make sure you have the application for Medicaid required forms for your in-person filing. Refer to the listed documents in the first section to ensure you have everything you need for a smooth transaction.
You may also apply for Medicaid in person at a rural health center or at any hospital. Caseworkers are available at all major hospitals to handle Medicaid applications in South Carolina, along with any eligibility issues.
It can take up to 30 days for your Medicaid application in SC to be processed. If you are approved for Medicaid, you will receive an insurance card within one week of your approval. If you are denied coverage, you will receive a letter explaining your denial of coverage.
You can choose to appeal the decision if you believe you are entitled to Medicaid benefits, but did not qualify for your state’s healthcare program.
How to File Medicaid Application Forms by Phone
If you do not have a working computer to apply for Medicaid online, and you do not have the means to apply for Medicaid in person, you have another option at your disposal. You can elect to file an application for Medicaid by phone.
SC Thrive is a helpline intended to ensure all eligible residents are covered under Medicaid or Healthy Partners. SC Thrive can be reached at 800-726-8774. SC Thrive can also help answer any questions you may have about Medicaid and eligibility.