Chaunte Causey

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

Community Health Improvement Week (CHIW), observed June 9–13, is a national opportunity to recognize the people, partnerships, and programs that are making communities healthier. At Palmetto Care Connections (PCC), this week holds special meaning as we reflect on the progress we’ve made—alongside our partners—to close healthcare gaps across rural South Carolina through innovation, collaboration, and heart.

Our mission has always been rooted in one simple but powerful belief: where you live shouldn’t determine if—or how—you get care. This year’s CHIW theme, “We Are Healthcare”, is a reminder that improving community health isn’t just about hospital systems or medical charts. It’s about neighbors checking in, local libraries hosting telehealth visits, and older adults learning to use tablets to speak with their doctors from home.

What PCC Is Doing to Improve Community Health

During CHIW and every week of the year, our team is focused on building digital bridges to better health:

• Telehealth Access Points: We’ve partnered with libraries, schools, and community centers to install telehealth equipment in places people already go—making healthcare more convenient, especially in rural areas.

• Digital Literacy Training: Through statewide training programs, we teach seniors, caregivers, and underserved populations how to safely use technology for telehealth and other essential services.

• Broadband Advocacy: We work alongside government agencies, internet service providers, and nonprofit partners to expand broadband infrastructure—because no one should have to choose between gas money and a doctor’s visit.

• Support for Providers: By offering technology solutions and technical assistance to rural clinics and hospitals, we help providers stay connected and patients stay informed.

Get Involved

Community Health Improvement Week is also a call to action. Whether you’re a caregiver, healthcare worker, or just someone who wants to help, here are a few ways to get involved:

• Help a neighbor or family member sign up for school-based telehealth.

• Volunteer to support one of our digital literacy events.

• Share our resources with someone who might not know about them.

• Advocate for broadband and telehealth access in your local community.

Together, we can continue creating a future where care is more accessible, more connected, and more personal—no matter where you live.

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

If you’ve had the pleasure of meeting Emma, you know she’s not just crunching numbers—she’s helping drive impact across South Carolina. As Finance Director at PCC, Emma oversees all financial operations to ensure the organization remains in strong financial standing while complying with laws and regulations. She’s also helping pave the way for long-term growth through smart strategy and a heart for service.

Emma joined PCC with deep roots in nonprofit finance. After time away from the sector, she felt a pull to return to work that fuels her passion. “I researched several area non-profits, considered their mission, and reached out to PCC. After talking with Kathy for just a few minutes, I knew this was where I wanted to be.”

Originally from East Tennessee and a longtime South Carolina resident, Emma understands the challenges of rural life—and the power of broadband and telehealth to bridge those gaps. “I wanted to be a part of the mission to help rural and underserved communities by connecting them to quality services. Telehealth platforms have the potential to transform global healthcare delivery, and I want to be part of that.”

While she’s only been with PCC a short time, Emma says it didn’t take long to feel at home. “The team’s enthusiasm and support are incredible. When everyone is working toward the same goal, you can achieve a greater impact—and that’s what I missed most about nonprofit work.”

Outside of work, Emma has a few unexpected passions! She’s a proud FFDP (Five Finger Death Punch) groupie, a wildlife watcher with her own backyard bird sanctuary, and a devoted volunteer for Rottweiler and Basset Hound rescues.

Her favorite quote changes by the day, but today’s mantra says it all: “I will achieve great things through small steps.”

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

June is recognized as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, a time to highlight the lasting effects of trauma and emphasize the importance of accessible mental health care. PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event—combat veterans, survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence, first responders, and even those impacted by serious accidents or natural disasters. It’s not just a personal issue—it’s a public health concern.

At Palmetto Care Connections (PCC), we are committed to increasing access to care in rural communities, especially for behavioral and mental health. Through telehealth, people living in remote areas of South Carolina can now receive timely support for PTSD without the barriers of distance or travel.

Telehealth Resources for PTSD in South Carolina

Here are several telehealth programs in South Carolina that support individuals living with PTSD:

1. MUSC Health’s Telehealth Resilience & Recovery Program (TRRP)

This trauma-informed program supports patients who are recovering emotionally from serious injuries. TRRP provides education, mental health screening, assessment, and treatment through secure telehealth technology. Whether you’re in a hospital or at home, support is available via phone, tablet, or computer.

2. MUSC Telehealth Outreach Program (TOP)

TOP brings evidence-based, trauma-focused mental health services directly to children and adolescents who’ve experienced trauma. This telehealth service ensures that even students in the most rural school districts can access the support they need without leaving their communities.

3. South Carolina Department of Mental Health (SCDMH) Telepsychiatry Program

SCDMH’s telepsychiatry network provides thousands of psychiatric consultations each month, many of which occur in rural hospitals and community clinics. It’s a proven way to connect patients to licensed professionals without delay, especially in areas where providers are scarce.

4. PTSD Self-Screening Tool

If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of PTSD, a self-screening tool from the National Center for PTSD is a good first step. It’s free, anonymous, and helps determine whether you should seek a formal evaluation.

You’re not alone. PTSD can be isolating, but treatment is effective and help is closer than you think—especially with telehealth. This June, let’s raise awareness and expand access to the support so many South Carolinians deserve.

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

A recent study by the Mayo Clinic highlights the transformative potential of telehealth in enhancing patient care. The research focused on four key outcomes: improved patient health, reduced hospital service use, lowered healthcare costs, and enhanced community health. Notably, patients who received remote monitoring support post-discharge experienced better health outcomes and required less follow-up care compared to those without such support. 

Dr. Aaron Spaulding, the study’s senior author, emphasized telehealth’s role in addressing social determinants of health. The findings suggest that telehealth services, including online therapy, can lead to significant improvements in patients’ overall health perceptions within their communities. This underscores telehealth’s capacity to bridge gaps in healthcare access and delivery.

However, the study also notes that telehealth should complement, not replace, in-person care. Dr. Spaulding advocates for a personalized approach, recognizing that different patients have varying needs. A hybrid model, combining telehealth with traditional care, may offer the most effective solution for many individuals.

For organizations like Palmetto Care Connections, these insights reinforce the importance of integrating telehealth thoughtfully into healthcare strategies. By leveraging telehealth’s strengths and acknowledging its limitations, we can work towards a more inclusive and effective healthcare system.

To delve deeper into the study, visit the Mayo Clinic News Network: Harnessing telehealth to enhance patient care.

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

Behind every successful telehealth appointment, every secure broadband connection, and every piece of functioning medical equipment in rural South Carolina—there’s a team of dedicated professionals making it all possible. 

This week (May 18–24, 2025) , Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) proudly joins organizations across the nation in celebrating Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Week, an annual recognition led by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). It’s a time to honor the healthcare technology professionals who work behind the scenes to ensure that medical devices and digital infrastructure are reliable, safe, and ready when patients need them most. 

Why HTM Professionals Matter 

HTM professionals—including biomedical equipment technicians, clinical engineers, IT specialists, and support staff—are the backbone of healthcare delivery in today’s tech-driven world. At PCC, their expertise powers our mission to expand telehealth access, improve broadband connectivity, and support digital health innovations across rural communities. 

They are the quiet force ensuring: 

• 🛠️ Equipment and technology are properly installed, maintained, and secured. 

• 🩺 Providers have the tools they need to deliver high-quality, remote care. 

• 🌐 Rural residents can connect to care—regardless of location or access barriers. 

Show Your Appreciation
Use the hashtag #HealthcareTechnologyWeek to spotlight your tech heroes and share how technology is transforming care in your community. 

To learn more about HTM Week, visit aami.org/htmweek 

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

A newly released report from the Peterson Center on Healthcare titled Evolving Remote Monitoring: An Evidence-Based Approach to Coverage and Payment (April 2025) offers key insights into how Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) can improve care for Medicare and Medicaid populations—while also lowering costs and shaping future policy.

This in-depth report evaluates how remote monitoring technologies are being used, which conditions benefit most from their application, and how coverage and reimbursement policies might be better aligned with clinical evidence.

What is Remote Patient Monitoring?

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring Fact Sheet, updated in April 2025, RPM allows patients to use connected medical devices at home to collect and transmit their health data to providers. RPM includes two categories:

• Remote Physiological Monitoring: Captures data like blood pressure, weight, or blood glucose levels.

• Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM): Tracks non-physiological data such as medication adherence and physical therapy progress.

Medicare began reimbursing for RPM services in 2019, adding RTM coverage in 2022. Both sets of services involve three billing components: device supply, patient education/setup, and provider time spent reviewing data and managing care.

Coverage Across Payers

Most state Medicaid programs have followed Medicare’s lead, with 41 states offering some form of RPM reimbursement, according to research by the Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP). However, coverage among private insurers remains inconsistent and often narrower in scope.

Key Clinical Insights from the Peterson Report

The report draws on evaluations by the Peterson Health Technology Institute (PHTI) to assess the clinical effectiveness of RPM and RTM for managing conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and musculoskeletal disorders. Here are some of the findings:

• Hypertension is the leading diagnosis for RPM users, representing 57% of Medicare beneficiaries with an RPM episode. The average episode lasts 6.6 months, aligning with evidence that RPM is most useful during active medication management periods.

• Musculoskeletal disorders are the top diagnosis for RTM users, accounting for nearly 60% of episodes. The average RTM episode lasts 1.7 months, reflecting a typical course of physical therapy.

• RPM for hypertension helps providers quickly adjust medications and achieve faster improvements in blood pressure.

• RTM during physical therapy results in greater pain and functional improvements compared to in-person treatment alone.

• RPM for diabetes is most impactful for patients with high HbA1c levels or those undergoing care plan transitions.

• Utilization is growing rapidly:

  • In 2023, 451,000 Medicare patients used RPM, compared to just 44,500 in 2019.

  • The average duration of RPM use in Medicare rose from 1.7 to 5.2 months between 2019 and 2023.

• However, only 1% of Medicare beneficiaries use RPM services, and fewer than 0.2% used RTM in 2023.

Recommendations for Policymakers

The report outlines several policy suggestions to strengthen RPM use:

1. Align coverage with evidence-based practices: Data shows that current RPM usage patterns—such as six-month monitoring for hypertension—already reflect where the clinical benefit is strongest.

2. Improve access to high-impact tools: Most RPM users are in urban areas, while rural populations—who often face higher rates of chronic disease—remain underserved. The report suggests CMS reconsider how geographic reimbursement variations may unintentionally limit rural access.

3. Enhance data collection: Medicare does not currently require RPM billing claims to identify the condition being treated or the device being used, limiting the ability to track outcomes and effectiveness.

Moving Forward

As RPM and RTM services become more common, the focus must remain on improving both access and data collection. The authors caution that adding unnecessary billing complexities or limitations could deter provider participation and restrict patients from receiving the benefits of remote care technologies.

For organizations like Palmetto Care Connections, which are committed to expanding digital health tools across rural South Carolina, these findings reinforce the importance of improving broadband access and supporting digital health training in medically underserved areas.

Sources:

• Evolving Remote Monitoring: An Evidence-Based Approach to Coverage and Payment, Peterson Center on Healthcare, April 2025

• Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring Fact Sheet, Medicare Learning Network (CMS), April 2025

• Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP) Policy Finder – https://www.cchpca.org

To read the full Peterson report, visit:
https://petersonhealthtechnologyinstitute.org/reports/evolving-remote-monitoring

To explore Medicaid and Medicare RPM policy by state, visit CCHP’s Policy Finder:
https://www.cchpca.org/policy-trends