Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is South Carolina Healthy Connections Choices?
Healthy Connections Choices is a program that helps Medicaid members enroll in health plans.
When members enroll, they choose a health plan and a doctor (or clinic). Healthy Connections Choices will help members choose a health plan that is best for them.
What is a health plan?
A health plan is a group of doctors and may also include hospitals and other providers. Your health plan will make sure you can see the right doctor when you need to. All plans provide the same medical services as Medicaid.
Health plans may offer extra health services and benefits such as vision and dental care for adults and help with diabetes management. They have a help line, often staffed by a nurse, and you can call any time with health care questions.
When can members enroll in Healthy Connections Choices?
New Medicaid members will get an enrollment packet in the mail. Open it, Read it, Respond to it! Other eligible Medicaid members can enroll in a health plan at any time.
What are the time limits and deadlines for health plan enrollment?
Initial Enrollment Period: The first 30 days
All members have at least 30 days (from the day we mail the enrollment packet) to choose a health plan or choose to stay in Fee-for-Service Medicaid. If they don't choose a plan or tell us that they want to stay in Fee-for-Service Medicaid, we will assign them to a plan.
Choice Period: The first 90 days
Members have 90 days after enrolling in a health plan to transfer to another plan or switch to Fee-for-Service Medicaid.
Continuous Enrollment Period: One year
After the 90-day Choice Period has expired, members stay in their health plan until their one year anniversary date unless they have a special reason to make a change.
How do members enroll?
There are four easy ways for members to enroll:
- Enroll by mail or fax, by completing the form in the enrollment packet and sending it to us.
- Enroll over the phone, by calling the South Carolina Healthy Connections Choices toll-free number.
- Enroll online, at the South Carolina Healthy Connections Choices website.
- Enroll in person, by meeting with a community enrollment counselor.
Do members have a choice of health plans?
Yes. As long as there is at least one plan working in your county, you will have a choice. You can choose to be in a health plan or to stay in Fee-for-Service Medicaid.
Do members have to choose the same health plan for all members of the family?
No. Each member of the family can choose the plan that is best for them.
Does every member have to enroll in a plan?
No. Enrolling in a health plan is voluntary. However, Medicaid members must choose how they get their health care. A member can enroll in a health plan or choose to stay in Fee-For-Service Medicaid.
Will Medicaid benefits change?
No. Members enrolled in the Healthy Connections Choices program will receive all of their current Medicaid benefits plus the enhanced benefits provided by their health plans.
Can I keep seeing the doctor I go to now?
You will choose one doctor or clinic in your health plan to be your main provider. If the doctor you go to now works with a Healthy Connections Choices health plan that serves your region, you can choose him or her to be your doctor.
If you do not have a doctor now, or if your doctor is not in a health plan, you can get a list of providers by calling 1-877-552-4642, or search for providers on this site.
Your doctor will get to know you and your health care needs. You will also choose a plan and a doctor (or clinic) for each person in your family.
Where can I get more information?
Call Healthy Connections Choices:
- About plans or doctors that serve children.
- About enrolling or choosing a health plan.
- To enroll by phone.
- To meet in person with a community enrollment counselor near your home.
- To get a brochure printed in English or Spanish, in Braille or on tape, or to speak to someone in another language.
An enrollment counselor will help you. Some of our counselors speak Spanish, and we have free interpreter services for other languages. All calls are free and private.
Call 1-877-552-4642. Call Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., TTY: 1-877-552-4670.