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
On June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a key FCC program that helps fund phone and internet service in rural, low-income, and underserved areas. The 6–3 decision keeps the Universal Service Fund (USF) in place—a major win for broadband access in communities like the ones PCC serves. (Read the original article from The Gazette)
What is the Universal Service Fund?
The USF is a fund the federal government uses to make sure people in all parts of the country—especially rural areas—can get access to phone and internet at an affordable rate. Telecom companies contribute to the fund and often pass the cost on to customers as a small line item on their phone bills. The funds support:
- Rural homes and businesses
- Tribal lands
- Schools and libraries
- Health clinics and telehealth programs
Why Did the Court Get Involved?
Some groups argued the FCC did not have the authority to collect these fees and give the money to the Universal Service Fund. They claimed it was an unconstitutional tax.
However, the Supreme Court disagreed, ruling that Congress had granted the FCC the authority to manage the program and that the process was lawful and necessary. (Read more from Reuters)
What This Means for Rural South Carolina
This ruling protects funding that helps people in rural areas stay connected to doctors, schools, and family. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez said it best: ending the fund would hurt millions of Americans. However, she also suggested that Congress should explore ways to modernize the program. (Read More from TV Technology)
Why PCC Cares
As the nation’s leading broadband consortium aiding our healthcare providers across eleven states Palmetto Care Connections serves communities that depend on adequate and reliable broadband access for telehealth, Education and other connected services. The Supreme Court’s ruling protects critical funding that helps our most vulnerable and primarily underserved stay connected and accessing critical services they require. PCC will continue to advocate for practical solutions that strengthen connectivity across rural South Carolina and beyond.

By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC
By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC
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.