Help available for Medicaid recipients who might lose coverage

By Ken Miller CONTRIBUTOR

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.

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 removed members from its Healthy Connections Medicaid program only 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% 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 com- pleted 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.

If you currently have SC 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 - Friday

• Visit your local eligibility office. In Beaufort County, that office is at 1905 Duke St. in Beaufort. In Jasper County, go to 10908 North Jacob Smart Blvd. in Ridgeland.

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.

For other resources, visit BeaufortMemorial.org/Medicaid.

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• The monthly Palm Trees & Pistons car show will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. July 8 at Sea Turtle Marketplace on Hilton Head Island, in the parking lot of the former SteinMart store.

The show will feature vintage, antique, exotic, muscle and unique cars owned by area locals.

Any car owner who would like to display their vehicle(s) are welcome to bring them for show and tell, and to meet others of like mind. Not a car owner? Come by and see some cool cars. It’s all free.

The show is held the second Saturday of each month, depending on weather, and is free and open to the public.

• James River Greyhound Meet & Greets held at Bluffton and Hilton Head Petsmart stores will be suspended for the month of July and August due to high temperatures.

The events will resume in September with the first and third of the month meetings at Hilton Head PetSmart from 11 to 1 p.m. and the second Saturday of the month at Bluffton.

If interested in learning about Greyhounds as pets, feel free to contact Karen Shea at 804-356-4102 or Chris Schlentner at 847-321-1771.

• The new Children’s Art Museum (CAM) at Jepson Center, part of Telfair Museums, will host a public Grand Opening celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 8 at the museum, 207 W. York St. in Savannah.

The new museum will provide engaging, inspiring exhibits and handson, interactive spaces for toddler ages and up. Age-appropriate experiences will include modern technologies, immersive environments, and low-tech and hands-on activities.

CAM will be open during all Telfair Museum operating hours. For more information, call 912-7909-8865 or visit telfair.org.

• The Heritage Library Book Club will meet at 11 a.m. July 12 at the Hil- ton Head Public Library, 11 Beach City Road on Hilton Head Island.

The book to be discussed is “Coffin Point: The Strange Cases of Ed McTeer, Witchdoctor Sheriff” by Baynard Woods.

Registration is requested at HeritageLib.org/bookclub.

• Singers looking for a summer activity are welcome to join the Shore Notes women’s chorus on four Mondays: July 31, Aug. 7, Aug. 14 and Aug. 21 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and discover the fun and camaraderie of a cappella singing.

On Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m. the program finale will be a Friends & Family night, where summer singers can perform the two songs they learned with the chorus.

Rehearsals are at Okatee Baptist Church, 5467 N. Okatie Hwy. (Route 170) in Ridgeland.

For more information, call 843-7056852 or visit hiltonheadshorenotes. com.

• America’s Boating Club Hilton Head will hold its America’s Boating Course safety class Aug. 19 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the USCB Osher Learning Center in Bluffton.

The class is open to the public and will cover topics such as boating laws and regulations; safety equipment, both required and recommended; navigation in adverse conditions; communication; and knots and lines.

The cost of the class is $75 for individuals or $100 for couples. Children can also attend with their parents for $20.

For more information and to register, visit abchh.org.

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