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Chaunte Causey

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

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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As it stands, several temporary telehealth flexibilities—originally enacted during the COVID-19 public health emergency—are scheduled to expire on September 30, 2025, unless Congress takes further legislative action.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 make care easier to reach—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.

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Jul 21
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Expanding Telehealth Access: PCC Showcases Library-Based Care in Orangeburg

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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 challenges 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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Jul 18
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Telehealth Gets a Boost from New Federal Law

By News

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

A new tax package signed into law on July 11, 2025, is a big win for telehealth access across the country. The legislation makes first-dollar coverage for telehealth permanent for people with High-Deductible Health Plans and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). This means patients can now have virtual visits without meeting their deductible first—removing a major cost barrier.
Why it matters for PCC and our communities:
  •  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.
However, some other telehealth flexibilities—like hospital-at-home and Medicare virtual care—are still set to expire later this year. PCC will continue advocating to keep those services available.
📖 Read the full article:
https://www.chiefhealthcareexecutive.com/view/telehealth-gets-a-win-in-trump-s-tax-package

Jul 01
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Expanding Access and Skills: PCC Hosts Digital Literacy Training in Lee County

By News
By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC
Bishopville, SC — On June 24th, Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) hosted a free Digital Literacy Training in Bishopville, welcoming 19 participants from Lee County and surrounding areas. Held at the Bishopville City/County Complex, the session was made possible through funding from the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance (SCTA) and is part of PCC’s broader mission to improve digital access and telehealth readiness across rural South Carolina.
The training offered attendees hands-on experience with internet-enabled tablets and covered key skills like navigating a touchscreen device, sending emails, accessing telehealth services, and using video calling for personal and medical needs.

Thanks to SCTA funding, each participant received a tablet with one year of free cellular service, removing obstacles like limited device access and unreliable internet that can prevent rural patients from using telehealth.

Jun 25
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Bringing Telehealth to Bamberg: PCC Connects with Local Seniors

By News

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

Bamberg, SC — On Thursday, June 12th, Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) visited the Bamberg County Office on Aging to demonstrate how telehealth is helping transform rural healthcare. The event, made possible through support from the South Carolina Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare, was part of PCC’s continued effort to empower older adults with access to digital tools and virtual care options.
Approximately 25 to 30 seniors gathered for the presentation, where PCC’s Caroline Warren teamed up with Bretta Kittrell, FNP from Bamberg Family Practice. Together, they shared valuable information about how seniors can use telehealth to connect with providers—especially for Medicare wellness visits, medication reviews, and chronic condition management.
Attendees received educational flyers and watched a hands-on demonstration with PCC’s telehealth cart, giving them a closer look at how easy and convenient remote care can be.
Bretta offered insight into how Bamberg Family Practice is already using telehealth with local patients, helping make routine care more accessible for those with transportation challenges or mobility limitations.
Events like these allow PCC to bridge the gap between technology and trust, showing seniors how telehealth works and encouraging them to take an active role in their health from the comfort of home or local access points.
This community outreach is part of PCC’s broader mission to expand digital health solutions across South Carolina’s rural and underserved areas—one demonstration, one conversation, and one connection at a time.

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Jun 19
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Empowering the Orangeburg Community Through Digital Literacy

By News

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

Orangeburg, SC — On Tuesday, June 17, Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) hosted a free Digital Literacy Training at the Orangeburg County Library, welcoming 20 participants from Orangeburg and surrounding areas. The event is part of PCC’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to telehealth and technology in rural South Carolina.
Made possible through funding from the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance, each attendee left with more than just new skills—they received an internet-enabled tablet and one year of free cellular service.
The hands-on training covered essential technology skills, including navigating touchscreen devices, sending emails, using video calls for both personal and telehealth use, and accessing reliable online health resources. For many participants, it was their first time using a smart device independently.
“It’s about more than learning how to use a tablet,” said Davia Smith, Chief Community Relations Officer. “It’s about building confidence and opening doors—to telehealth, to family connections, to the information people need to stay healthy and informed.”
To help participants stay connected beyond the free service period, PCC also shared information about the Lifeline Program, a federal initiative that offers discounted internet and phone service for qualifying low-income households. Resources like Lifeline help ensure that the benefits of digital literacy and telehealth access are sustainable long after the training ends. (Learn more at fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers).
PCC continues to deliver digital literacy and telehealth access to communities across the state—one training at a time. The Orangeburg County Library was a welcoming and supportive host, offering an ideal space for learning, connection, and growth.

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Jun 09
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Celebrating Community Health Improvement Week: June 9–13

By News

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.

Jun 04
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PCC Team Attends Nexus 2025 to Explore Telehealth Innovation

By News

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC

Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) recently attended Nexus 2025, the American Telemedicine Association’s Annual Conference and Expo, held in New Orleans. The event brought together approximately 1,500 healthcare professionals, clinicians, and telehealth leaders from across the country to explore the future of virtual care. 

PCC was represented by four team members: 

  • Matt Hiatt, Chief Technology Officer 
  • Liz Saitz, IT Director for Community Engagement 
  • Caroline Warren, Telehealth Coordinator 
  • Bretta Kittrell, Family Nurse Practitioner at Bamberg Family Practice 

Key sessions included: 

  • “Cracking the Code” – focused on billing, coding, and expanding access to virtual care. 
  • “The Business of Humanizing Virtual Care” – discussed how to improve patient experience while keeping care high-quality and convenient. 

The conference gave PCC valuable insight into new tools and strategies that can help improve healthcare delivery in rural South Carolina. It also gave the team a chance to connect with other organizations working to solve similar challenges in telehealth and digital access. 

Events like Nexus help PCC stay informed and inspired as we continue using technology to bring better care to the communities that need it most. 

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