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Chaunte Causey

Aug 07
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Supporting College Student Health Through Telehealth at Voorhees University

By News

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

On July 30, Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) joined Voorhees University for their Freshman Orientation, welcoming incoming students and their families while spotlighting a powerful tool for student health and wellness: university-based telehealth. 

Through an ongoing partnership between Voorhees University, PCC, and Bamberg Family Practice, students have access to convenient, on-campus telehealth services that connect them to a local provider—without the need to travel off-site. This program continues to play a vital role in helping students stay healthy and focused throughout the academic year. 

PCC’s Caroline Warren and Bretta Kittrell of Bamberg Family Practice were on hand to speak directly with students and parents about how to access these services. For many students, it was their first introduction to telehealth—and a chance to learn how technology can simplify their health care while away from home. 

 

Aug 07
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Helping Lee County Residents Connect: PCC Hosts Digital Literacy Training

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By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) brought its Digital Literacy Training program to the Lee County City Complex in Bishopville, SC, continuing its mission to help rural South Carolinians gain the skills they need to confidently use technology to connect to care.

Led by instructor Lee Ashe, with support from Jessica Samuel and Addi Jameson, the session welcomed 23 participants—primarily middle-aged and senior residents—who spent the morning learning how to navigate digital devices, access important health tools like Zoom and Doxy, and explore the basic features of their tablets.

Participant Gloria Hendley shared, “I enjoy this class. Lee Ashe was very professional, and she is a great teacher. I’m glad that I took this class. There were a lot of things that I did not know about the device.”

This session was made possible through support from the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance (SCTA) and is part of PCC’s ongoing effort to empower communities through telehealth support and hands-on education.

Aug 06
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New Federal Rule Expands Access to Opioid Treatment via Telehealth

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By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

A major win for rural health: providers can now prescribe buprenorphine—commonly known by the brand name Suboxone—via telehealth, giving patients faster, easier access to life-saving treatment for opioid use disorder.
Thanks to a new federal rule now in effect, DEA-registered providers can initiate medication-assisted treatment (MAT) using telehealth technology—no in-person visit required. As reported by Healthcare IT News, the rule took effect February 18, 2025, and permanently allows providers to start treatment with buprenorphine through video or even audio-only consultations.
Under the rule, providers may prescribe up to a six-month supply of buprenorphine following a remote visit. After that, an in-person evaluation is required unless a federal exception applies. To ensure safety, providers must check the patient’s state Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, confirm the patient’s location and identity during the visit, and ensure the pharmacy verifies identity before dispensing the medication.
This policy change eliminates a major barrier to care, allowing patients—especially those in rural areas without easy access to transportation or providers—to begin recovery without delay. Studies show that individuals who start treatment through telehealth are more likely to stay engaged and less likely to experience a fatal overdose. By making it easier to start and stick with treatment, this rule is a critical step toward saving lives and expanding access where it’s needed most.
Source:
Healthcare IT News – “What the new rule on medication-assisted treatment via telehealth means for providers”
https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/what-new-rule-medication-assisted-treatment-telehealth-means-providers

Aug 06
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PCC Team Engages with Faith-Based and Appalachian Telehealth Leaders at Statewide Conferences

By News

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

On August 1, Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) team members represented the organization at two impactful events—each focused on strengthening rural health through collaboration, innovation, and connection.
Caroline Warren exhibited on behalf of PCC at the South Carolina Faith Community Nurses Association (SCFCNA) Annual Conference, held at Zion Lutheran Church in Lexington. The event brought together faith-based nurses and healthcare advocates from across the state. Caroline shared information about PCC’s mission and services and made valuable connections with fellow exhibitors and SCFCNA members who serve on the frontlines of rural care. Events like this allow PCC to connect with trusted community caregivers and spread awareness about digital health resources that can support their work.
Meanwhile, Liz Saitz participated in Bridging Rural Communities: Telehealth Innovations for Appalachia and Beyond, a region-wide event hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center (MATRC). Joining from the Greenville host site at Prisma Health, Liz engaged in TED-style presentations and group discussions centered around real-world telehealth solutions for rural communities. The day sparked ideas and reflections, with Liz bringing back fresh resources and insights to strengthen PCC’s ongoing initiatives.
PCC is proud to be part of conversations that drive rural health forward—one connection at a time.

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  • Bridging Rural Communities Conference - Liz
Aug 05
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Helping Hampton County Connect: PCC Hosts Digital Literacy Class at Local Library

By News

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

On July 28, 2025, Palmetto Care Connections brought its Digital Literacy Class to the Hampton County Library, continuing our mission to equip rural South Carolinians with the tools and knowledge they need to connect to care.

Supported by the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance (SCTA), the class welcomed 15 Hampton County residents eager to learn the basics of navigating a digital device. Led by instructor Lee Ashe, with support from team members Addi Jameson, Jessica Samuel, Bailey Smoak, and Liz Saitz, the training offered one-on-one guidance in a welcoming and hands-on environment.

Participants practiced essential skills like accessing the internet, opening apps, and learning how to use telehealth services. Each attendee received a free tablet and one year of cellular service—helping eliminate obstacles to staying connected with health care providers.

One participant shared, “The class was great. Our instructors didn’t miss anything. I feel I can operate better.”

Classes like this don’t just teach technology—they open doors. By providing both the devices and the confidence to use them, PCC is helping more people take control of their health and stay connected, no matter where they live.

Aug 04
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Strengthening Rural Care: Celebrating National Health Center Week

By News

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

National Health Center Week, held August 3–9, 2025, is a time to recognize the vital role Community Health Centers play in providing primary care to millions of Americans—especially those living in rural or underserved areas. Sponsored by the National Association of Community Health Centers, this national observance honors the providers, staff, and partners who work every day to make care accessible regardless of a patient’s income or insurance status. It’s also an opportunity to strengthen the connection between healthcare providers and the communities they serve. 

In South Carolina, the South Carolina Primary Health Care Association (SCPHCA) plays an essential role in this network. As the “unifying organization” for all SC’s Community Health Centers, SCPHCA empowers clinics with training, technical support, advocacy, and capacity-building programs so that providers can deliver high-quality, patient-centered care across the state.

Palmetto Care Connections (PCC), alongside SCPHCA and local health centers, is driving real change through telehealth, broadband access, digital literacy, and strategic partnerships. That’s how South Carolina is bridging gaps and making care more accessible — especially when challenges like provider shortages, long travel distances, and aging populations persist.

At PCC, we may not be a health center ourselves, but we proudly stand beside them, providing the tools and infrastructure they need to keep care close to home. When a clinic can offer virtual visits because of the broadband we help secure, or when a senior can navigate their first telehealth appointment thanks to our digital literacy classes, the impact is real and lasting. In fact, by participating in PCC’s Broadband Consortium, South Carolina’s health care centers have collectively saved more than $72.2 million in broadband costs—proof that strategic collaboration leads to real, measurable value. PCC is here to help health systems accomplish their mission. 

 

Aug 01
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Building Digital Confidence in Williamsburg County

By News

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

Palmetto Care Connections recently hosted a Digital Literacy Class at the Kingstree Recreation Department in Williamsburg County on July 24, 2025. The training, funded by the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance (SCTA), is part of PCC’s mission to expand access to health care through technology—especially in rural South Carolina.
Team members Jessica Samuel, Addi Jameson, and Liz Saitz led the class, working with 21 participants to teach essential digital skills and demonstrate how to use tablets for everyday tasks. Attendees received hands-on instruction designed to build confidence using a device—many for the very first time.
As part of the class, each participant received a free tablet and one year of cellular service, empowering them to use telehealth services and connect with doctors from home.
Events like this one are a great example of how PCC is helping more South Carolinians stay connected, informed, and in control of their health.
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Jul 29
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Proposed Changes to Medicare Telehealth Policy in 2026 Physician Fee Schedule

By News

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

In July 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the proposed 2026 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), which outlines updates that may impact how telehealth services are reimbursed under Medicare.
As it stands, several temporary telehealth flexibilities—originally enacted during the COVID-19 public health emergency—are scheduled to expire on September 30, 2025, unless Congress takes further legislative action. If no changes are made, Medicare’s permanent telehealth statute will take effect on October 1, 2025, reinstating several pre-pandemic limitations on telehealth coverage.
If current statutory waivers are not extended or replaced, the following provisions will apply under Medicare’s permanent law:
  • Most telehealth services will be limited to patients in rural areas.
  • Home-based telehealth and audio-only visits will not be eligible for Medicare reimbursement.
  • Certain provider types—including physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists—will no longer be able to bill for telehealth services.
  • Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) will no longer be authorized to act as distant site providers for general telehealth services.
  • Temporary programs such as Hospital-at-Home and virtual hospice recertification will no longer be permitted under Medicare.
Two bills have been introduced during the current Congressional session that seek to modify or extend telehealth-related policies:
Each bill proposes different mechanisms to update Medicare’s telehealth statute. These include removing geographic and site restrictions, expanding eligible provider types, and authorizing continued use of audio-only telehealth under specific conditions. Legislative language and implementation timelines vary between proposals.
Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) supports programs that use telehealth to improve access to healthcare in rural South Carolina. Any changes to Medicare’s telehealth reimbursement structure may impact how services are delivered and sustained across rural regions.
For example:
  • Patients may no longer be eligible to access care from home under Medicare.
  • Providers in rural settings may experience changes to billing eligibility for telehealth visits.
  • Existing PCC-supported programs—such as school-based telehealth, and remote patient monitoring (RPM) —may be affected by policy shifts in reimbursement or eligibility.
PCC will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Jul 28
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PCC Showcases Virtual Care at SCETV Family Event

By News

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

On July 26, 2025, Palmetto Care Connections participated in CTRL + ALT + CREATE, a free, family-friendly open house hosted at SCETV in Columbia. The event invited the public to explore SCETV’s educational programming through immersive and interactive exhibits, spotlighting South Carolina’s culture, history, and natural beauty. 

PCC’s presence added to the experience by offering families a hands-on look at how telehealth is shaping the future of accessible care across the state. Chief Technology Officer Matt Hiatt led live demonstrations, showing how virtual healthcare visits work and answering questions from curious kids and parents alike. 

Many families expressed interest in how telehealth can save time and reduce barriers to care—especially in rural areas. Young attendees were especially fascinated by the idea of a doctor “visiting” through a screen. It was a memorable day of connection, learning, and community outreach that highlighted the growing role of digital health tools in everyday life. 

  • ETV Event July 2025 (1)
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Jul 21
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Expanding Telehealth Access: PCC Showcases Library-Based Care in Orangeburg

By News
By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC
Orangeburg, SC – On July 10, 2025, Palmetto Care Connections joined local and statewide partners for the Telehealth Kickoff / Premier Event at the Orangeburg County Library—a milestone moment in expanding healthcare access for rural South Carolina.
This community-centered event was designed to introduce and showcase a newly installed telehealth cart available to the public at the Orangeburg County Library. The cart allows individuals to connect with any provider offering telehealth services, right from their local library—eliminating barriers like travel time, internet access, and transportation.
Palmetto Care Connections (PCC), the South Carolina Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare (CRPH), MUSC Health, the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance (SCTA), and the Orangeburg County Library collaborated on this effort. As part of the event, PCC team members provided live demonstrations of how to use the telehealth cart, walking guests through what a virtual visit might look like and answering questions from community members.
Roughly 30 people attended the event, including local residents, library staff, and representatives from each partner organization. The event drew interest and enthusiasm from attendees who saw firsthand how technology can make healthcare more accessible.
This initiative is part of a broader goal to bring care closer to home and was supported by the CRPH Access to Health Care through Telehealth grant. As PCC continues to partner with libraries and other trusted community hubs, events like this one serve as powerful reminders that innovative, community-driven solutions are making a real difference in the lives of rural South Carolinians.
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