NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”), in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of South Carolina (“Molina”), has partnered with the Palmetto Project to expand in-person health insurance assistance with an investment of $150,000. The donation will increase access to care and reduce racial health disparities by funding education for rural, underinsured communities on ways to obtain affordable health insurance coverage.
“We look forward to fostering this collaborative relationship with the Palmetto Project to empower people and families with the resources and knowledge they need to live healthy lives,” said Dora Wilson, plan president of Molina Healthcare of South Carolina. “The security and peace of mind that comes with having health insurance to access preventive care and find a medical home helps establish the building blocks of health literacy, which in turn advances health equity.”
With MolinaCares’ funds, the Palmetto Project’s Insure SC initiative will expand into rural communities of Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties, as well as the surrounding areas. More licensed insurance agents will provide guidance on how to enroll in Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace plans and access long-term acute care. The agents will meet people where they are – at reachable sites such as local federally qualified health centers, libraries, drug and alcohol treatment centers, and more. People who may fall into coverage gaps will be connected to important resources such as health centers, free clinics, and prescription support.
“This is the perfect opportunity to expand access to actionable information about affordable coverage options for the hard-working residents of the Palmetto State, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic, which resulted in thousands of South Carolinians losing employer-sponsored insurance,” said Steve Skardon, executive director of the Palmetto Project. “For too long, residents in these rural counties have lacked access to local, in-person enrollment services for health insurance, which will now change with MolinaCares’ investment in our organization.”
For more than 35 years, the Palmetto Project has been working to make sure every South Carolinian has access to affordable, quality health care. Anyone can call the Palmetto Project at (888) 998-4646 for assistance with insurance coverage needs. Assistance is available in English and Spanish.
About The MolinaCares Accord
Established by Molina Healthcare, Inc., The MolinaCares Accord oversees a community investment platform created to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations by funding meaningful, measurable, and innovative programs and solutions that improve health, life, and living in local communities. The MolinaCares Accord funds such measures through The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) established in 2020 by Molina Healthcare, Inc.
About Molina Healthcare of South Carolina
Molina Healthcare of South Carolina has been providing government-funded health care since 2013. The Company serves members through Medicaid, Marketplace, Medicare, and Medicare-Medicaid (Duals) health programs throughout South Carolina. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, served approximately 4.6 million members as of March 31, 2021. For more information about Molina Healthcare of South Carolina, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.
About the Palmetto Project
Palmetto Project is a statewide nonprofit organization whose mission is to identify innovative approaches to social and economic challenges facing South Carolina. Through special partnerships with governments, businesses, civic groups, schools, and religious organizations, Palmetto Project strives to bring a fresh entrepreneurial spirit to the challenge of building successful communities in a great state. For more information, call (843) 577-4122 or visit PalmettoProject.org.