ATTENDANT & COMPANION CARE SERVICES PROVIDER IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Fatumata Kaba
Oct 13
3 min read

DELIVERING PERSONALIZED NON-MEDICAL SUPPORT TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE, SAFETY, AND COMPANIONSHIP FOR MEDICAID WAIVER PARTICIPANTS

Attendant and Companion Care Services in South Carolina provide non-medical, in-home assistance with daily living tasks and emotional support to Medicaid recipients who require supervision or help to remain safely in their homes and communities. These services are authorized under South Carolina Medicaid’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers, especially through the Community Supports Waiver, CLTC (Community Long Term Care), and DDSN-managed waivers.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS)

Role: Oversees Medicaid reimbursement and ensures service delivery compliance under relevant waiver programs.

Agency: South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN)

Role: Authorizes companion and attendant services for individuals with IDD and related conditions.

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)**

Role: Sets federal person-centered planning and community-based service requirements.

2. ATTENDANT & COMPANION CARE SERVICES OVERVIEW

These services support individuals who need help with daily non-medical activities, companionship, and protective oversight but do not require skilled nursing care.

Approved providers may deliver:

Companion Care: Social interaction, activity engagement, and community participation
Attendant Care: Assistance with ADLs such as dressing, grooming, eating, mobility, and light housekeeping
Safety Monitoring & Supervision: Support to prevent accidents and promote well-being
Medication Reminders (non-clinical)
Transportation Assistance (within service scope)
Documentation: Daily logs, service timesheets, incident reports, and billing forms

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your business with the South Carolina Secretary of State
Obtain EIN and Type 2 NPI
Enroll as a provider with SCDHHS and/or DDSN under the Companion/Attendant Care service category
Hire and train direct care staff (Companions or Attendants) who meet waiver-specific requirements
Maintain liability and workers’ compensation insurance
Develop a Companion & Attendant Care Services Policy & Procedure Manual

4. SOUTH CAROLINA PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Establish your business, obtain EIN and NPI

Step 2: Submit enrollment application through SCDHHS or DDSN based on target population

Step 3: Submit staff qualifications, sample documentation, and service delivery plans

Step 4: Complete a provider readiness review

Step 5: Begin accepting referrals from waiver case managers

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation, EIN, and NPI confirmation
Medicaid and/or DDSN enrollment approval
Staff credentialing, background checks, and training records
Companion & Attendant Care Services Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Participant intake and service planning
- Daily activity documentation forms
- Safety and supervision protocols
- Emergency and incident response procedures
- Participant rights, HIPAA compliance
- Quality assurance and service delivery tracking
- Timekeeping and Medicaid billing logs

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Companion / Attendant Care Worker

Requirements:

High school diploma or GED (recommended)
Background check and CPR/First Aid certification
Onboarding training in ADLs, abuse prevention, and participant safety

Role: Program Supervisor (Recommended)

Requirements:

Experience in direct care or home-based services
Oversight of staff documentation and participant satisfaction

All staff must complete:

HIPAA and confidentiality training
Abuse/neglect prevention and reporting
Infection control and emergency response
Documentation and service delivery procedures
Annual in-service training and competency review

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Attendant & Companion Care Services may be authorized through:

Community Supports Waiver – For individuals with disabilities needing non-medical daily support
ID/RD Waiver – Often paired with habilitation or in-home support
HASCI Waiver – For individuals with head and spinal cord injuries
CLTC (Community Long Term Care) – For aging and disabled adults needing home-based personal assistance
Self-Directed Waivers – Participants choose their own providers under Medicaid rules