171 Ashley Ave.
Charleston, SC 29425
843-792-1414
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MUSC Children's Care
 MUSC Children's Care - North Charleston
2070 Northbrook Blvd., Suite A-16
North Charleston, SC 29406-9253
Hours: Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Phone: (843) 818-6102
MUSC Children's Care - Moncks Corner
109 West Main Street
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
(Located in Berkeley Co Health Dept)
Hours: Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Phone: (843) 719-4774
Network Practice Manager, MUSC Children's Care
Ms. Catherine Klassy
Tel: (843) 818-6102, ext. 101
Email: klassycl@musc.edu
The South Carolina Kids Count survey estimates that the number of children "lacking basic, accessible primary care is at least
double the number lacking insurance." In the tri-county area including Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties,
there are 18,000 uninsured children and 69,000 Medicaid-eligible children. Using the survey criteria, the number of
children needing a primary care physician in the tri-county area would be estimated at 36,000. Because of poor physician
reimbursement, physician participation in the South Carolina Medicaid program is limited, and Medicaid-eligible children
often have difficulty finding a primary care physician that is accepting new Medicaid-eligible patients. In the tri-county
area, a recent telephone survey by the MUSC Department of Pediatrics revealed that only 28% of pediatricians, family
practitioners, and general practitioners were currently accepting new Medicaid-eligible patients without restrictions.
Children without a primary care physician do not receive the same standard of care and access to care experienced by children
who are enrolled in a medical home. A "medical home" is the term used to describe the model of primary care services that are
generally provided by a primary care physician. Children without a medical home rely upon the local emergency room for sick
care services and the health department for occasional well-child services. Recognizing the tremendous need in the community,
MUSC Children's Care was created by the MUSC Department of Pediatrics in 1999 to provide medical homes to Medicaid-eligible
and uninsured children in the tri-county area.
The MUSC Department of Pediatrics developed MUSC Children's Care using start-up funds from the South Carolina Medicaid program.
MUSC Children's Care is managed by the Center for Child Advocacy, a division of the Medical University of South Carolina
Department of Pediatrics.
A Closer Look At the MUSC Children's Care Practices...
- Two practices, one in North Charleston and one in Moncks Corner, are currently serving 6,200 children.
- The practices are growing at a rate of more than 86 new patients per month.
- Both practices have at least two bilingual staff. Practice telephones are answered in English or Spanish, depending upon the language being spoken by the caller.
- All of our pediatricians are bilingual.
- An estimated 52% of the children being served are Hispanic and non-English speaking. We believe that most of the Hispanic newborns in the area are being referred to us because of our bilingual capacity.
- Ninety-one percent ( 91%) are Medicaid-eligible and four percent ( 5% ) are uninsured.
- All children are welcome, and parents of uninsured children are asked to pay $50 per visit.
- Both practices are covered by an after-hours telephone triage served staffed by pediatric trained registered nurses. The triage service has the ability to add translation services as needed.
- Both practices use the MUSC electronic medical record system and have online access to MUSC discharge summaries, lab results, specialist notes, etc.
MUSC Children's Care provides medical services under the medical home model of care established by the American Academy of
Pediatrics. Medical services included in that model of care include:
- Care that is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Care that is family centered. The physician knows the family by name, and a trusting partnership is developed over time.
- Care that is continuous and managed over time through the use of a comprehensive medical record.
- Care services that addresses sick care, well child screenings, preventive care, immunizations, developmental screenings, parent counseling, education, referrals to specialists, and psychosocial issues.
- The medical home coordinates with early intervention programs, early child education programs, and other public/private programs that address children's needs.
Over the past five years, numerous partnerships have been formed in support of MUSC Children's Care. In-kind support provided
by these partners exceeds $175,000 per year. Both practices are housed within or adjacent to the health department facilities
for WIC program and family planning, and the MUSC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology which provides prenatal and women's
health services at both locations. The combination of services has allowed us to provide a "one-stop shopping" approach for families.
Both locations are familiar to low-income families, and consolidating services at one location minimizes the need for transportation.
Trident United Way (TUW) has been a strong advocate and funding partner for the Medical Home Program.
TUW also provides other community based events and services that can be found by visiting
www.tuw.org.
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