Emergency preparedness resources for Medicare providers, including information on how to request 1135 Waivers, Fee-for-Service Emergency Q&As, and general Emergency Provider FAQs.

For potential waiver requests during an applicable event, it is helpful for requestors to clearly state, in any format they choose, information that will address the scope of the issue and the impact of the disaster including the following basic information:

Emergency Meal Planning

When a hurricane or other disaster strikes, kidney dialysis patients may be without their normal scheduled dialysis treatments until electrical power in hospitals or renal dialysis facilities have been restored. It is important to follow a limited diet if dialysis has to be missed. Therefore, dialysis patients will have to extend the life of their last treatment by watching their diets.

Updated: June 23, 2026

HFC Organization and Staff Contacts

The following staff organization by state regions is used as a guideline for project assignments and may vary based on the needs of the project and the workloads of the staff members.

Main Phone: (803) 545-4215

• Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
• Code of Federal Regulations (searchable)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• CLIA Laboratory Certificate Information
• CMS Survey & Certification Letters

Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) Program surveys intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disability. Surveyors meet professional qualifications of the designation Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP).

ICF/IID Regulations 42 CFR 483 Subpart I Interpretive Guidance: SOM Appendix J (pdf)

The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) Division of Health Facilities Construction reviews plans, specifications, and construction for health care facilities which DPH licenses in South Carolina. This authority comes from the South Carolina Legislature. Some health care facility types such as doctors' offices and clinics are not licensed by DPH and thus are not reviewed or inspected by us.

• Overview
• Contact Us
• Construction Standards and Related Topics
• Procedure To Receive Approval To Re-Ope

Updated: March 18, 2026

It is required by International Fire Code to notify DPH Division of Health Facilities Construction (DHFC) fire officials, and local fire officials, anytime fire detection, alarm and extinguishing systems are in an non-operative condition:

DPH Fire and Life Safety is a Division of Health Facilities Oversight in Healthcare Quality. Our inspectors are certified as Fire Marshals by the South Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal, International Codes Council, and the National Fire Protection Agency. The purpose of our inspections is to ensure that licensed facilities operate in a safe manner and comply with all applicable DPH Regulations, SC Fire Codes and NFPA Standards, as well as those facilities that must also comply with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Regulations.

Updated: Apr. 27, 2026

DPH Fire and Life Safety is a section within the Bureau of Nursing Homes & Medical Services in Healthcare Quality. Fire and Life Safety inspectors are certified as Fire Marshals by the South Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal, International Codes Council, and the National Fire Protection Agency.