MEAL AND NUTRITION SERVICES PROVIDER IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Fatumata Kaba
Oct 13
4 min read

PROMOTING HEALTH, DIGNITY, AND NUTRITIONAL INDEPENDENCE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, AGING NEEDS, OR MEDICALLY COMPLEX CONDITIONS

Meal and Nutrition Services in South Carolina help Medicaid participants maintain proper nutrition through structured meal provision and diet-related education. These supports are available through the South Carolina Medicaid State Plan, Community Long Term Care (CLTC) program, and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers. They are designed to ensure individuals who are unable to shop for or prepare meals independently can continue living safely in their homes or community settings.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

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

Role: Oversees Medicaid reimbursement, meal delivery authorization, and nutritional service enrollment.

Agency: South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)**

Role: Licenses food service establishments and ensures compliance with food safety and sanitation laws.

Agency: South Carolina Department on Aging (SCDOA)**

Role: Coordinates congregate and home-delivered meal programs for older adults (non-Medicaid programs may be blended).

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

Role: Sets federal regulations on nutrition-related services under waiver and state plan Medicaid programs.

2. MEAL AND NUTRITION SERVICES OVERVIEW

These services focus on providing prepared meals, dietary monitoring, and nutrition counseling to maintain or improve health.

Approved providers may offer:

Home-Delivered Meals: Fresh or frozen meals tailored to health conditions (e.g., diabetic, cardiac, renal).
Congregate Meals (optional): Group-based meal service in approved adult day or senior centers.
Nutrition Counseling: Individualized support from a licensed or registered dietitian for medically necessary cases.
Feeding Assistance: Help with eating or monitoring intake for safety.
Menu Planning: Creation of therapeutic diets per care plan.
Documentation: Delivery logs, dietary tracking, and service summaries for Medicaid billing.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register business with the South Carolina Secretary of State.
Obtain EIN and Type 2 NPI.
Acquire DHEC licensure or food establishment permit (if preparing meals directly).
Enroll as a Medicaid provider with SCDHHS under HCBS meal services or nutrition support.
Partner with a licensed commercial kitchen or food service vendor if you are not producing meals in-house.
Develop a Meal and Nutrition Services Policy & Procedure Manual covering food handling, delivery, dietary needs, and documentation.

4. SOUTH CAROLINA PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Register your organization and obtain EIN, NPI, and liability insurance.

Step 2: Apply for DHEC food establishment licensure (or partner with a licensed caterer).

Step 3: Enroll with SCDHHS as a Medicaid provider for meal delivery or dietary counseling.

Step 4: Submit documentation for review (menu samples, safety protocols, RD credentials).

Step 5: Begin service once participant referrals and care plans are authorized.

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Business registration and EIN/NPI confirmation
DHEC food safety certificate or subcontractor agreement with licensed kitchen
Medicaid enrollment confirmation
Staff and RD credentials (if applicable)
Insurance coverage (general liability, workers’ comp, product liability)
Meal and Nutrition Services Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Food storage, preparation, and delivery procedures
- Nutritional screening and dietary intake forms
- Participant satisfaction surveys and feedback logs
- HIPAA, confidentiality, and abuse prevention protocols
- Safety procedures for in-home delivery and group settings
- Quality assurance and complaint response system

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Nutrition Services Coordinator

Requirements: Experience in food service, community nutrition, or care coordination.

Role: Meal Delivery Personnel

Requirements: Background check, food handling training, clean driving record.

Role (optional): Registered Dietitian (RD)

Requirements: Licensed in SC; provides medical nutrition therapy, menu design, and consultative support.

All staff must complete:

HIPAA and participant rights training
Food safety, sanitation, and infection control
Emergency response and incident reporting
Abuse prevention and home-entry protocols
Annual competency reviews and safety drills

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Meal and Nutrition Services are available through:

Community Long Term Care (CLTC) – Home-delivered meals for older adults and individuals with disabilities
Head and Spinal Cord Injury (HASCI) Waiver – Supports including nutrition services for participants with severe mobility needs
Community Supports Waiver – May include dietary assistance or counseling components
State Plan Medicaid – For qualifying medical nutrition therapy by an RD
Katie Beckett/TEFRA Program – Pediatric dietary monitoring and therapeutic meal guidance