Free Help Enrolling in Medicaid & Health Insurance
Not sure if you qualify for Medicaid, or don’t know where to start with health insurance? Little River Medical Center’s enrollment team can help — at no cost. Our staff are certified application counselors and healthcare navigators, certified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and they help patients across Horry County get enrolled in Medicaid (Healthy Connections) and Affordable Care Act Marketplace coverage.
Whether you’re applying for the first time, renewing coverage, or just want to know what you qualify for, we’ll walk you through it step by step. This service is completely free, no matter what you’re enrolled in when you leave.
Prefer to chat? Click the chat bubble in the corner of your screen anytime to ask us a question.
How Our Enrollment Team Helps You
- Help determine whether you’re eligible for Medicaid or a lower-cost Marketplace plan
- Explain your coverage options in plain language, in English or Spanish
- Help you gather the documents you need to apply
- Walk you through the online application step by step
- Follow up with you until you’re enrolled
- Never charge a fee — this service is 100% free
South Carolina Medicaid Update: What the New Federal Law (H.R. 1) Means for You
A new federal law is changing Medicaid rules nationwide — but South Carolina has not expanded Medicaid, so most Healthy Connections patients will not see two of the most talked-about changes:
- No new work or community-engagement requirement for most SC Medicaid members
- No change to renewal timing — most members keep their current annual renewal, not a 6-month renewal
Two changes do still apply here:
- Non-citizen eligibility changes — effective October 1, 2026, for certain refugees, asylees, and other humanitarian statuses
- Shorter retroactive coverage — the retroactive coverage window is shortening from 3 months to 2 months for new applications
For the full explanation in English or Español, visit our coverage updates page below, or call our coverage team directly.
What You'll Need to Apply
To apply for coverage you’ll need information about your employment, income, taxes, family members or household size, and any existing coverage. Use this health care checklist to gather what you’ll need before your appointment — or just bring what you have and we’ll help you figure out the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible for Medicaid in South Carolina?
Eligibility depends on your income, household size, age, and other factors. Our enrollment team can check your eligibility for free — call 843-663-8000 ext. 9032 or schedule an appointment.
Is there a cost for enrollment help?
No. This service is completely free, whether you’re applying for Medicaid or Marketplace coverage.
What if I'm not eligible for Medicaid?
We can help you apply for lower-cost Marketplace coverage instead. If you remain uninsured, LRMC also offers a sliding fee scale based on income and household size — see our Insurance and Cost page.
Will the new federal Medicaid law (H.R. 1) affect me?
Most South Carolina Healthy Connections members will not be affected by the new work requirements or the 6-month renewal rule, because South Carolina has not expanded Medicaid. A few changes do apply, including non-citizen eligibility rules starting October 1, 2026. Visit our coverage updates page for full details.
How do I schedule an appointment with the enrollment team?
Call 843-663-8000 ext. 9032, or use our online scheduling page.
Ready to get started?
Our enrollment team is ready to help you find the right coverage, at no cost to you.
