STATE PROFILE • Last updated: April 23, 2026
South Carolina Elder Care & Medicaid
South Carolina's Healthy Connections Medicaid offers vital long-term care support for seniors through its Community Choices Waiver, requiring a Nursing Facility Level of Care and utilizing Miller Trusts for income over the cap.
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RANKED #38
GRADE D
FEATURED
Medicaid Coverage Guide for South Carolina
Full breakdown of Community Choices Waiver for seniors: waiver programs, nursing home eligibility, income and asset limits, spend-down rules, and how to apply.
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Program
Community Choices Waiver
Income cap
$2,982/mo
Medically-needy
Yes
Elder Care Index Report Card
5-pillar composite scoring vs other states
D
Grade
AFFORDABILITY
STRONG
QUALITY
MODERATE
STAFFING
CRITICAL
ACCESS
CRITICAL
MEDICAID SUPPORT
MODERATE
Composite score: 48.3 / 100
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South Carolina At a Glance
Nursing Home Facilities
187
Senior Medicaid Waivers
1
National Rank
#38 / 51
Senior Care Costs in South Carolina
holiday_village
Assisted Living
$3,612/mo
-21.3% vs national avg
local_hospital
Nursing Home
$9,227/mo
-16.4% vs national avg
- 187 nursing homes · 19,684 beds
- Avg CMS rating 3.01★ (37 rated 5★, 37 rated 1★)
- 3.86 nurse hrs/resident/day (0.63 RN)
Source: CMS Nursing Home Compare
psychology
Memory Care
$4,514/mo
-21.3% vs national avg
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Home Health Aide
$23/hr
-14.8% vs national avg
- Median aide wage $13.96/hr
- ~35,960 aides employed statewide
Source: BLS OEWS