Staff Report
Published Dec. 29, 2011

South Carolina received $2.38 million for taking steps to simplify enrollment of children into Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

This is the first time South Carolina met the eligibility requirements of the bonus program, which was created 2009. South Carolina was one of 23 states to receive a collective $296 million in bonus payments under the program, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday.

The performance bonus payments are funded under the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act. To qualify, states must surpass a specified Medicaid enrollment target. They also must adopt procedures that improve access to Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, making it easier for eligible children to enroll and retain coverage.

Performance bonuses help offset the costs states incur when enrolling lower-income children in Medicaid. By ensuring that states streamline their enrollment and renewal procedures, the bonuses also give states the incentive to adopt long-term improvements in their children’s health insurance programs.

The 23 states eligible for performance bonuses are Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

For a full list of award amounts, click here.