CMI briefingSCDHHSResidential Care & HCBS Waivers

SCDHHS healthy connections Medicaid waiver programs overview

This is a South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) document, revised June 26, 2025, describing the home and community-based Medicaid waiver programs available to eligible Healthy Connections Medicaid members.

Updated Aug 30, 2026

This page is CMI's own briefing on the topic, written by CMI. It is not the text of the regulation. Read the regulation itself in the Regulatory hub.

Waiver Programs Overview

South Carolina Healthy Connections Medicaid offers home and community-based waiver programs for eligible Healthy Connections Medicaid members. This helps people access services normally provided in a nursing home, hospital or intermediate care facility to receive this care at home. They can get these services from providers in the community.

Medicaid members can get State Plan and waiver services for the program for which they are enrolled. Members may also access services through the traditional Medicaid program while on a waiver waiting list. These are called "State Plan" services. Members must meet the service-specific conditions for each service. State Plan services include medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, durable medical equipment and therapy. Examples include in-home children's personal care, children's private duty nursing and incontinence supplies.

Community Choices (CC) Waiver

For Medicaid frail, elderly who are age 65 and older. It is also for Medicaid members ages 18 to 64 with physical disabilities. Eligible persons must meet a nursing facility level of care.

Call CLTC Centralized Intake to apply. The number is (888) 971-1637. You can also do a referral online. Visit https://phoenix.scdhhs.gov/cltc_referrals/new.

Community Supports (CS) Waiver

For Medicaid members of any age with a diagnosis of intellectual or related disability. They must meet an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF-IID) level of care. Service needs must not go over the set yearly cost limits. This waiver does not include medical services.

Call the South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD-OIDD) to apply. The number is (800) 289-7012.

Head and Spinal Cord Injury (HASCI) Waiver

For Medicaid members of any age with a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury or similar disability. They must meet a nursing facility or ICF-IID level of care.

Call BHDD-OIDD to apply. The number is (800) 289-7012.

HIV/AIDS Waiver

For Medicaid members of all ages with a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS. They must meet an at-risk of hospitalization level of care.

Call CLTC Centralized Intake to apply. The number is (888) 971-1637. You can also do a referral online. Visit https://phoenix.scdhhs.gov/cltc_referrals/new.

Intellectual Disability/Related Disabilities (ID/RD) Waiver

For Medicaid members of any age with a diagnosis of intellectual or related disability. They must meet an ICF-IID level of care. Some medical services are offered in this waiver.

Call BHDD-OIDD to apply. The number is (800) 289-7012.

Mechanical Ventilator (Vent) Waiver

For Medicaid frail, elderly who are age 65 and older. It is also for Medicaid members ages 21 to 64 with physical disabilities. Eligible persons must require mechanical ventilation and meet a nursing facility level of care.

Call CLTC Centralized Intake to apply. The number is (888) 971-1637. You can also do a referral online. Visit https://phoenix.scdhhs.gov/cltc_referrals/new.

Medically Complex Children (MCC) Waiver

For Medicaid children up to age 21 with chronic physical/health condition(s) expected to last at least one year. They must meet a hospital level of care. They must also rely on hospital, skilled nursing and specialist care, as well as ancillary service and medicine monitoring.

Call CLTC Centralized Intake to apply. The number is (888) 971-1637. You can also do a referral online. Visit https://phoenix.scdhhs.gov/cltc_referrals/new.

Level of Care Types and Definitions

Level of Care: For HCBS waivers, the level of care is used to describe the type of help the applicant needs. This help may be provided in a nursing home, hospital, other type of facility or at home. It is determined by a member's current health, medical history and ability to do basic, daily tasks. It also sees how much help is needed to do these tasks. Daily activities include things like bathing, dressing and eating. A member needs a Medicaid level of care assessment done to see if they can get services in their home and community, instead of in a facility. Doing the level of care allows Medicaid to see if they qualify for an HCBS waiver.

Hospital Level of Care: This indicates a person has complex medical needs and their level of care is based on several needs. This includes medications, hospital stays, emergency room visits, skilled nursing tasks, therapy and care by specialized doctors. They often need care in a hospital setting.

ICF-IID Level of Care: This level of care is for a person who has an intellectual disability or related disability and needs more help and supervision. The added support should help prevent loss of skills or add skills for more independence.

Nursing Facility Level of Care: This level of care is for a person who needs a higher level of support. This means use of at least one skilled service. Required services range from daily monitoring due to an unstable medical condition to giving medications that may need frequent changing and checking, etc. The person also has severe limits in their ability to complete basic tasks. They may need more hands-on help with dressing, toileting, eating and bathing.

Resources

General information, not legal advice. Requirements change; confirm against the official source before you act, or ask us how this applies to your organization.