By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC
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.

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.
By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC
By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC
- 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.
- The Telehealth Coverage Act of 2025 (H.R. 2263)
- 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.
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.
By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC
- More access, fewer hurdles – Rural patients can now connect with care more easily and affordably.
- Long-term certainty – This isn’t a temporary extension—it’s a permanent policy, giving providers and patients peace of mind.
- Better benefit options – Employers can now include telehealth in their plans without added costs to employees.
https://www.chiefhealthcareexecutive.com/view/telehealth-gets-a-win-in-trump-s-tax-package

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC