A comprehensive wellness program, robust employee benefits and a strong mission helped Select Health of South Carolina rank as one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina for the seventh consecutive year. Select Health ranked 13th among the 24 companies recognized in the large employer category. This year, only 22 percent of businesses that applied received a ranking. Select Health, the state’s oldest and largest Medicaid managed care organization, is part of the AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies.

“We’re honored to be recognized for our commitment to employee satisfaction for a seventh straight year,” said Cindy Helling, executive director of Select Health. “Our associates are genuinely dedicated to providing First Choice members with outstanding service, and we’re glad to reward their enthusiasm by investing in a nurturing and fulfilling work environment.”

Founded in 1995 by South Carolina native and current President and Chief Executive Officer J. Michael Jernigan, Select Health was the first managed care company to coordinate health care for the state’s Medicaid recipients. Since then, it has grown to become the state’s largest Medicaid managed care provider, employing more than 400 associates at its North Charleston headquarters.

“We pay very close attention to the needs of our associates because our people are our greatest asset,” said Jernigan. “This award goes far beyond gauging employee satisfaction. Survey feedback helps establish a roadmap for continual improvement and ultimately provides an advantage in attracting and retaining highly talented professionals.”

Select Health associates receive expanded benefits such as a flexible paid time off policy, tuition and healthy lifestyle reimbursement programs, employee referral program, adoption assistance and personal and professional development offerings. Associates also have access to a low-cost healthy snack bar, monthly “lunch and learn” seminars on health-related topics, on-site massages and consultations with a registered dietician and a semiannual health fair featuring flu shots, mammograms, cholesterol and glucose screenings at no cost to employees.

In addition, associates regularly take part in community service projects including annual playground builds, Trident United Way’s Day of Caring and numerous local fundraising initiatives. Activities are promoted and managed through an Employee Activity Committee (EAC), which consists of volunteers who organize on and off-site activities year-round. The EAC was recognized as a “Health Care Hero” finalist by the Charleston Regional Business Journal in 2013.

“A steady array of offerings such as quarterly birthday celebrations, holiday-themed events, community service projects, on-site health screenings and wellness opportunities are just some of ways we show our employees we care,” says Carolyn Hadler, senior HR business partner and EAC member.

Select Health associates expressed their personal satisfaction during the award application process when asked what the organization does to make it a place where people want to work. Recurring  responses indicated affinity for mission, company culture supporting a friendly, positive, caring, diverse and creative work environment, wellness program, career advancement opportunities, recognition, ongoing training, open door policy, access to leadership, EAC, volunteer opportunities, salary and benefits package and incentive programs. View employment opportunities at www.selecthealthofsc.com/careers.

Select Health of South Carolina Mission: To help people get care, stay well and build healthy communities.

About Select Health Incorporated in 1995, Select Health was licensed as a Health Maintenance Organization by the South Carolina Department of Insurance in 1996. Later that year, the company contracted with the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to offer First Choice, which is now the state’s oldest and largest health plan for Healthy Connections, South Carolina’s Medicaid program. First Choice serves members in all 46 counties statewide.

Select Health is dedicated to providing access to high quality health care. First Choice by Select Health of South Carolina is the highest nationally ranked health plan for South Carolina Healthy Connections at #40 on the National Committee of Quality Assurance’s (NCQA's) Medicaid Health Insurance Plan Rankings 2013-2014. (Note: The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) uses other criteria for evaluating and ranking the performance of health plans serving Medicaid beneficiaries. To view these results, please visit www.scdhhs.gov/reports-statistics). Select Health also holds NCQA’s Multicultural Health Care Distinction.

Select Health is a wholly-owned member of the AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies.