Medicaid Enrollment in S.C. Expected to Jump 16 Percent

Like half the states, South Carolina chose not to expand Medicaid under the federal health law next year, citing the program’s high costs and inefficiency.

Yet state officials still forecast a 16 percent enrollment jump by the end of June, 2015, triple that of a typical year and even higher than the 12 percent average increase expected in states that are expanding eligibility.

What’s going on?

South Carolina officials say publicity for the Affordable Care Act and its requirement that most people get insurance will attract tens of thousands of people who are currently eligible for Medicaid but have not enrolled.

“The awareness component is huge,” said Tony Keck, the state’s Medicaid director.

The state has recently revamped its enrollment process for Medicaid, the state-federal health care program for low-income residents. It is now actively trying to enroll more of those who are eligible for its benefits. South Carolina has opened an online enrollment system, added 20 positions to its call center and used government databases of people who qualify for food stamps to identify those eligible for Medicaid.

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