While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides comprehensive free or low-cost healthcare benefits to children whose parents or guardians do not qualify for Medicaid. CHIP is a federal program, and each state/territory has flexibility to design their own CHIP program within federal guidelines. Therefore, CHIP benefits may differ in each state/territory.
CHIP benefits may include annual check-ups, hospital visits, dental insurance, vision insurance and more. All services are provided through medical providers that participate in the CHIP program. Not all doctors and medical facilities accept CHIP patients.
Learn more about CHIP benefits here.
The South Carolina state CHIP program is called the South Carolina Partners for Healthy Children. It is administered by the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. For more information about the South Carolina Partners for Healthy Children, click here.
A child may receive CHIP benefits in South Carolina for as long as he or she qualifies for the program. A participant’s qualifications are determined by their age and their household’s monthly gross income. To learn more about eligibility and qualifying for the South Carolina Partners for Healthy Children, click here.
If a child is eligible for CHIP, the following services will be covered:
Other services may also be covered depending on the child’s needs.
For more information about the services covered and what medical assistance you can receive, call SC Thrive at 1 (800) 726-8774 or review the South Carolina CHIP overview page here.
To qualify for CHIP in South Carolina, a child must meet the following criteria:
For more information on South Carolina’s household income limits and other eligibility criteria to qualify for CHIP, click here.
The South Carolina Partners for Healthy Children program does not require enrolled families to pay a premium or copays for medical services, including emergency services.
For more information on the cost of CHIP benefits in South Carolina, call Healthy Connections at 1 (888) 549-0820.
Before applying for the South Carolina Partners for Healthy Children, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits and other eligibility criteria here.
To apply for CHIP online, you can create an account through Healthy Connections here.
To apply for CHIP in person, click here to find your nearest South Carolina Healthy Connections County Office location.
To apply for CHIP by phone, call 1 (888) 549-0820.
To apply for CHIP by mail, fill out the Application for Medicaid and Affordable Health Coverage found here and send it to the following address:
SCDHHS-Central Mail
P.O. Box 100101
Columbia, SC 29202-3101
To apply for CHIP by fax, send your completed application to 1 (888) 820-1204
To apply for CHIP by email, send a digital copy of your completed application to 8888201204@fax.scdhhs.gov.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
You will receive a determination letter in the mail notifying you of your eligibility for CHIP within two weeks of applying. This timeline may be extended if the Department of Health and Human Services requires more information from you to process your application.
If approved for CHIP, you will be sent instructions for the next steps to enrolling in health coverage.
For more information about what happens after you apply for the South Carolina partners for Healthy Children, you can contact SC Thrive at 1 (800) 726-8774.
If you do not agree with the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ decision to deny you CHIP benefits, you can file an appeal within 30 days of when you receive your eligibility determination in the mail.
You can file your appeal by mail, by fax, by email, or online.
To send your appeal by fax, send your request to 1 (888) 835-2086.
To send your appeal by email, send your request to eligappeals@scdhhs.gov.
To send your appeal by mail, send your request to the following address:
SCDHHS – Central Mail
Attn: Eligibility Appeals
PO Box 100101
Columbia, SC 29202-3101
You can submit an appeal request online here.
If you have any further questions regarding the appeals process, you can call 1 (888) 835-2039.
To transfer your child from your current insurance to CHIP benefits, you will need to contact your current health insurance provider and ask a representative to discontinue their insurance coverage.
You can find your insurance company’s customer service number on your health insurance card.
If you have any questions about the insurance transfer process, contact SC Thrive at 1 (800) 726-8774.
If you have any further questions about the South Carolina Partners for Healthy Children or CHIP, call SC Thrive at 1 (800) 726-8774.
You can also contact your local South Carolina Healthy Connections County Office for assistance. Find your nearest office location and contact information here.
Services are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
For additional inquiries, you can call Healthy Connections at 1 (888) 549-0820.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Children’s Health Insurance Program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free CHIP Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
