![Text Box: The third way to get health insurance is through public insurance programs. If you meet certain requirements your child may be eligible for one or more government health insurance programs known as Medicaid and Medicare.
A Brief History of Medicaid
The Medicaid program was first enacted in 1965. It was intended to assist those who were uninsured, and had low income, gain access to a medical payment program. Few restrictions were placed on the program initially. The federal government was overwhelmed with thousands of people who needed access to medical care and had no source of payment during the first year of the program. Because it was a joint state and federal matching fund program the cost had skyrocketed to the federal government as well as to the states. In 1966, Congress revisited the issue and decided only the poor needed this kind of protection.
Medicaid was designed as an entitlement program for payment of medical services at no cost to those eligible. In recent years, under 1115 waivers some recipients pay a portion of the cost of services. This will be discussed in depth below. The Medicaid program has broad federal requirements that were designed for its original implementation.
For more information about Medicaid, click below:
MedicaidAtAGlance2005 [PDF, 933KB]](image030.gif)
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What’s the difference between Medicaid and Medicare? Medicaid is a state-sponsored health insurance plan paid for by state and federal taxes. You must meet certain eligibility requirements in order to get Medicaid coverage. South Carolinas Medicaid programs include: · coverage for children, · coverage for uninsured low-income families, and · coverage for children or people who are disabled. Medicare is a federally funded insurance program for people age 65 and older and certain disabled people under age 65. Medicare has two parts: · Part A covers hospital charges. You do not have to pay anything for Part A coverage if you have paid into the federal Social Security program for at least 40 quarters. · Part B covers physician and other professional health care services. You pay a monthly premium for Part B coverage, which is deducted from your Social Security check. |
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Applying for Medicaid You must complete an application and provide the proper required documentation in order to receive benefits under the appropriate Medicaid program or other programs managed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. To select the application that best fits your need go to: http://www.dhhs.state.sc.us/dhhsnew/Q&As.asp If you need help, please call toll-free: 1-888-549-0820 |
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What agency oversees South Carolina’s Medicaid program? The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) oversees Medicaid. DHHS has an excellent resource to answer the most commonly asked questions such as; What Medicaid covers, how and where to apply, Income limits. Medicaid plans options available, who is eligible, even how to arrange a ride to a medical appointments. Families have reported this to be one of the most helpful websites in access services. |
Commonly asked Questions about South Carolina’s Medicaid Programs
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Strengthening Families: Resources for Partnering for Healthy Development of Children and Youth |