Contract between Select Health and Palmetto Health to end

Select Health of South Carolina, the state's oldest and largest Medicaid managed care organization, today confirmed that it has received a termination notice from Palmetto Health, a 1,138-bed system in Columbia, S.C. Select Health offers the First Choice health plan and is part of the AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies.

Effective Dec. 1, 2014, Palmetto Health hospitals, including Palmetto Health Baptist and Palmetto Health Richland as well as Palmetto Health-owned physician practices, will no longer be part of the First Choice by Select Health of South Carolina Medicaid network. As a result, these hospitals and doctors will no longer be available to First Choice plan members for services with the following exceptions:

• University Specialty Clinic providers will continue to see First Choice members at Palmetto Health clinics and will admit patients to Palmetto Health facilities.
• Palmetto Health will continue to serve pediatric patients admitted by community physicians.

Select Health is notifying First Choice plan members and providers about this change. Plan members and providers directly affected will receive a letter in the mail with detailed information and instructions. Member Services staff are available seven days a week to help members with the transition. They may be reached at 1-800-276-2020.