​All members are invited to the HCAOA South Carolina Chapter virtual meeting on Wednesday, November 17 at 10:00 a.m. for an exclusive discussion with Kristen Juarez Kollu, Director, Division of Provider Services, Bureau of Healthcare Systems & Services, Healthcare Quality, Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).

​Effective February 2022, South Carolina Healthy Connections Medicaid providers rendering in-home services to Healthy Connections Medicaid members participating in the three waivers operated by the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (SCDDSN) will use an electronic visit verification (EVV) system to document in-home service delivery. The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) has utilized an EVV since 2002 for its Community Long Term Care (CLTC) waivers. To comply with the 21st Century Cures Act, EVV usage will be extended to personal care services provided through the Community Support (CS), Head and Spinal Cord Injury (HASCI) and Intellectual Disability and Related Disabilities (ID/RD) waivers.

​Calling all members in South Carolina! If you have not already done so, please take our brief, important survey. We need our members’ input! So far, our data has found that in South Carolina, 72% of the members we have surveyed provide care for Veterans and currently 9% are utilizing Medicare Advantage plans. Click here to take the Chapter survey for South Carolina. ​

The letter offers several other suggestions to enhance, expand, or strengthen Medicaid HCBS, including hazard pay, overtime pay, and shift differential pay for home care workers, new or additional Medicaid HCBS services especially during the pandemic, and support for family caregivers. To date, the Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Virginia, Wisconsin, Arizona, South Carolina and Connecticut Chapters have sent letters, with others to follow.
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You can read one of the full letters here.​

​HCAOA confirmed last week with the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control that licensed home care workers are included in Phase 1A of the state’s COVID vaccine plan. Hospitals treating COVID patients receive the first vaccines, and the home care and nursing homes are next.