STATE PROFILE • Last updated: November 11, 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.
leaderboard
RANKED #35
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
No
Elder Care Index Report Card
5-pillar composite scoring vs other states
D
Grade
AFFORDABILITY
GRADE B · 87
QUALITY
GRADE D · 41
STAFFING
GRADE D · 28
ACCESS
GRADE F · 12
MEDICAID SUPPORT
GRADE C · 29
Composite score: 40.5 / 100 (50 = average state)
Methodology arrow_forward
South Carolina At a Glance
Nursing Home Facilities
187
Senior Medicaid Waivers
1
National Rank
#35 / 51
Range #33–#37 when the pillar weights shift
Senior Care Costs in South Carolina
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
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home_health
Home Health Aide
$23/hr
-14.8% vs national avg
- Median aide wage $13.96/hr
- ~35,960 aides employed statewide
Source: BLS OEWS
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