Approval of South Carolina’s Appendix K Amendment Request for the Palmetto Coordinated System of Care (PCSC) Waiver

As part of the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ (SCDHHS) ongoing response to the state and federal states of emergency related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), SCDHHS submitted a request to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to amend the Palmetto Coordinated System of Care (PCSC) waiver with the Emergency Preparedness and Response Appendix K. The request was approved on Jan. 15, 2021, and will grant providers additional flexibility in delivering services to waiver participants. SCDHHS’ requestis available for review on SCDHHS’ COVID-19 webpagealong with CMS’ approval letter. The flexibilities that were approved are effective from Jan. 27, 2020, through no later than six months after the expiration of the federal public health emergency, unless SCDHHS determines they should sunset at an earlier date. These flexibilities apply in all locations served by the PCSC waiver for anyone impacted by COVID-19. The changes include:

• Allowing the option to conduct evaluations, assessments and service planning meetings virtually/remotely;
• Adding an electronic method of signing  required documents; and,
• Allowing reviews and auditing activities to be performed off-site.

The amendment request applies in all locations served by the waiver for anyone impacted by COVID-19. A variety of COVID-19-related provider resources, including updated responses to frequently asked questions, are available online at www.scdhhs.gov/COVID19. Providers with additional questions related to the guidance issued by SCDHHS should contact COVID@scdhhs.gov.Thank you for your continued support of the South Carolina Healthy Connections Medicaid program.