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<title>Does Healthy Connections (South Carolina Medicaid) Cover ABA Therapy? | Ryan's Law, EPSDT, In-Home ABA | Charleston, Columbia, Greenville | Achieving Stars Therapy</title>
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<span class="location-badge">South Carolina Medicaid</span>
<h1>Does South Carolina Medicaid Cover ABA Therapy?</h1>
<p>Yes. Healthy Connections (South Carolina Medicaid) covers in-home ABA for children with autism under federal EPSDT and Ryan's Law. Achieving Stars Therapy accepts all 5 SC managed care plans.</p>
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<div class="info-label">Program</div>
<div class="info-value">Healthy Connections</div>
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<div class="info-label">Medicaid</div>
<div class="info-value">Accepted</div>
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<div class="info-label">Cap</div>
<div class="info-value">None (EPSDT)</div>
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<div class="info-value">2 Weeks</div>
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<p>Healthy Connections (South Carolina Medicaid) covers ABA therapy for children with autism under both federal EPSDT and South Carolina's autism insurance mandate, Ryan's Law. Achieving Stars Therapy is an in-home ABA provider for Healthy Connections families in <a href="/location/city/aba-therapy-charleston-sc">Charleston</a>, <a href="/location/city/aba-therapy-columbia-sc">Columbia</a>, <a href="/location/city/aba-therapy-greenville-sc">Greenville</a>, and across <a href="/location/states/aba-therapy-south-carolina">South Carolina</a>.</p>
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<h2>How does Healthy Connections cover ABA therapy?</h2>
<p>South Carolina runs Medicaid through 5 managed care organizations (MCOs), and Achieving Stars Therapy works with all of them:</p><ul><li>Absolute Total Care</li><li>Healthy Blue of South Carolina</li><li>Humana Healthy Horizons</li><li>Molina Healthcare of South Carolina</li><li>Select Health of South Carolina</li></ul><p>Coverage flows through EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment), the federal Medicaid benefit that requires states to cover medically necessary services for children under 21. There is no annual cap, no session cap, and no age cap below 21.</p>
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<h2>What is Ryan's Law in South Carolina?</h2>
<p>Ryan's Law (S.C. Code Ann. § 38-71-280), passed in 2007 and named after Ryan Unumb, requires private insurance plans regulated by South Carolina to cover autism treatment, including ABA therapy. The law sets a $50,000 annual benefit on private plans for children under age 16. Healthy Connections Medicaid is broader than the private mandate, no dollar cap, coverage through age 21, and a wider age range. Achieving Stars Therapy accepts both Medicaid and Ryan's Law commercial plans.</p>
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<h2>How big is Healthy Connections Medicaid?</h2>
<p>Healthy Connections covers more than 1.4 million South Carolinians according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, including over 600,000 children. The CDC reports 1 in 36 U.S. children is identified with autism, which means tens of thousands of South Carolina children are eligible for Medicaid-funded ABA therapy each year.</p>
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<h2>How does Achieving Stars Therapy handle Healthy Connections authorization?</h2>
<ol class="steps-list" style="counter-reset:step;list-style:none;padding-left:0"><li><strong>Free 15-minute consultation.</strong> Call (833) 666-3115.</li><li><strong>Benefits verification.</strong> Achieving Stars Therapy contacts your MCO within 24-48 hours.</li><li><strong>In-home BCBA assessment.</strong> A BCBA evaluates your child and writes the treatment plan.</li><li><strong>Prior authorization.</strong> Filed with your MCO. Standard turnaround 14-30 business days.</li><li><strong>In-home ABA begins.</strong> Most families start within 2 weeks of approval.</li></ol>
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<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
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<h3>Does Healthy Connections cover in-home ABA in South Carolina?</h3>
<p>Yes. In-home ABA is fully covered under EPSDT for children under 21 with an autism diagnosis. Achieving Stars Therapy is in-home only across South Carolina.</p>
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<h3>How many hours of ABA will Healthy Connections approve?</h3>
<p>Authorization is based on medical necessity from the BCBA assessment. Typical authorizations range from 10 to 40 hours per week.</p>
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<h3>What is the difference between Ryan's Law and Healthy Connections Medicaid?</h3>
<p>Ryan's Law is South Carolina's private insurance mandate. Healthy Connections Medicaid is the public benefit. Medicaid is broader, no dollar cap and coverage through age 21.</p>
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<h3>Can I switch ABA providers under Healthy Connections?</h3>
<p>Yes. Achieving Stars Therapy handles the transition and re-authorization at no cost to you.</p>
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<h3>What if my child does not have an autism diagnosis yet?</h3>
<p>Healthy Connections covers diagnostic evaluations under EPSDT. Achieving Stars Therapy can refer you to a SC diagnostic provider.</p>
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<h2>Start Healthy Connections ABA with Achieving Stars Therapy</h2>
<p>Free benefits check. Achieving Stars Therapy files the paperwork. In-home across South Carolina.</p>
<a href="https://www.achievingstarstherapy.com/contact" class="cta-button">Book Your Free Consultation</a>
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<div class="cta-item-label">Call</div>
<div class="cta-item-value"><a href="tel:8336663115">(833) 666-3115</a></div>
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<div class="cta-item-label">Email</div>
<div class="cta-item-value"><a href="mailto:info@achievingstarstherapy.com">info@achievingstarstherapy.com</a></div>
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<div class="cta-item-label">States</div>
<div class="cta-item-value">CO, KS, NH, SC</div>
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<p class="cta-note">Free consultation. BCBA-led care, in-home, kids through teens.</p>
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