Top News Stories October 2025 In this episode of TCNtalks, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner discuss the top news stories of October, focusing on AI in healthcare, innovations in hospice care, and the impact of personal experiences on healthcare practices. They explore the ethical implications of AI surrogates in life-or-death decisions, the importance of equitable access to hospice care, and the role of technology in improving care delivery. The conversation also highlights the ...

In this episode of TCNtalks, host Chris Comeaux welcomes back Jason Bradshaw, a seasoned benefits consultant with USI Insurance Services. Together, they unpack why healthcare premiums are rising, where volatility is coming from, and how employers can regain control without gutting benefits. Jason shares practical funding models, transparency tools, and a playbook for building a cost culture that actually moves behavior. Also, they delve into the complexities of the U.S. healthcare insur...

In this episode of TCNtalks, host Chris Comeaux welcomes Dr. Khai Nguyen, a geriatrician and age-friendly care champion. They discuss the 4Ms framework for age-friendly care, which includes what matters, mentation, medications, and mobility. Dr. Nguyen shares his personal journey into geriatrics, inspired by his father's health challenges, and emphasizes the importance of integrating the 4Ms into healthcare practices, particularly in hospice and home health settings. The conversat...

In this conversation, Peter Benjamin and Chris Comeaux discuss the impact of COVID-19 on mortality rates, particularly the concept of 'death pull forward' and its implications for hospice care. Peter highlights the significant role of assisted living facilities in hospice days and explores macro trends in healthcare, emphasizing the shift from vertical to horizontal care models. The discussion also covers the evolution of palliative care, frail elderly practices, and institutional...

As the seasons shift, so do the conversations shaping Hospice and Palliative Care. In this week’s episode, host Chris Comeaux and Hospice Analytics expert and co-host Cordt Kassner explore the latest headlines, challenges, and innovations impacting Hospice and Palliative Care. Together, they provide timely insights and thoughtful reflection on what matters most right now for providers, patients, and families, with discussion on the latest trends and insights in Hospice and Palliative ...

Are we headed for a healthcare train wreck? The warning signs are flashing: skyrocketing premiums, looming Medicaid cuts, significant reductions in home health funding, and major insurers experiencing substantial stock losses. These aren't isolated issues but symptoms of fundamental structural flaws in our healthcare system. Rita E. Numerof, co-founder and president of Numerof & Associates, returns to TCNtalks with a powerful analysis of the healthcare industry's trajectory a...

Hospice and palliative care face significant challenges amid broader failures in the healthcare system, with experts anticipating a critical opportunity for reform by 2026-2027 as Medicare faces potential bankruptcy and employers confront double-digit premium increases. Join Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner as they delve into the latest trends and challenges in hospice care. From the impact of AI to the importance of research and innovation, this episode covers it all. The healthcare sys...

The healthcare landscape is transforming before our eyes, shifting away from hospital-centered care toward home-based models. This fundamental change raises urgent questions about Medicare's outdated reimbursement systems, particularly for hospice providers facing the reality of a mere 2.6% rate increase while battling significant inflation. Join us in this illuminating conversation and in-depth discussion with industry experts Annette Kiser, Chief Compliance Officer with Teleios, and Judi Lu...

"Connection isn't new, it's just neglected. And it's neglected now more than ever." These powerful words from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ryan Jenkins set the stage for a transformative conversation about what might be our most critical yet overlooked human need. Despite our hyperconnected world of social media, texting, and endless digital communication, genuine connection continues to slip through our fingers. Jenkins reveals the crucial distinction between mer...

The Path to the Future May be the Un-obvious - Top News Stories, July 2025 The future of hospice care hangs in the balance as providers navigate a perfect storm of challenges and opportunities. From financial pressures closing hospice houses to unprecedented Medicare fraud schemes, from technological disruption to changing consumer expectations – the hospice field stands at a critical inflection point that demands both reflection and action. Join hosts Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner as...

What does it take to lead in one of the most complex corners of healthcare? In this crossover episode with TCNtalks and Anatomy of Leadership, we delve into the complexities of leadership in healthcare, particularly in Hospice and multi-service settings. Rebecca Ramsay and Mark Jarman-Howe, two dynamic leaders who are navigating the evolving world of Hospice and multi-service healthcare with vision and heart, share their experiences in managing diverse service lines, emphasizing t...

Is Hospice Care losing its soul? Dr. Ira Byock thinks so, and after months of soul-searching work, he's offering us the roadmap back to our roots. In this episode, Dr. Ira Byock discusses the current state of Hospice and Palliative Care, emphasizing the need for reform and improvement in the field. He and Chris spend time unpacking Dr. Byock’s recently released seminal work, “A Strategic Path Forward for Hospice and Palliative Care: A White Paper on the Potential Future of the Fie...

What if everything you thought you knew about marketing was completely wrong? Dave Mastovich, founder and CEO of MASSolutions and author of the Amazon bestseller "No Bullshit Marketing," challenges conventional wisdom in this eye-opening conversation about the true nature of effective marketing. Dave emphasizes the need for organizations to understand their customers deeply and to gather insights systematically to craft compelling marketing strategies. The discussion also highlights th...

What makes Hospice special isn't magic—it's the masterful implementation of coordinated care plans that align interdisciplinary teams with patient priorities. This month's deep dive into June's most critical Hospice and Palliative Care developments explores how this "secret sauce" remains simultaneously the heart of our philosophy and our most common survey deficiency. In this episode of TCNtalks, host Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care T...

Is America’s Healthcare System Beyond Repair? Rita Numerof Doesn’t Think So. In this powerful crossover episode of TCNTalks and Anatomy of Leadership, Chris Comeaux sits down with healthcare strategist and thought leader Rita Numerof, Co-founder and President of Numerof & Associates. Together, they pull back the curtain on one of today’s most urgent crises: the deeply flawed business model driving healthcare in America. Rita offers a bold diagnosis, explaining how misaligned ...

In this episode of TCNtalks, Marcus Escobedo, Vice President of Communications at the John A. Hartford Foundation, joins Chris Comeaux to discuss the future of healthcare for aging populations. Marcus shares how the Foundation’s Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative transforms care for older adults through the evidence-based 4Ms framework: focusing on what matters to older adults, medication management, cognitive health, and mobility. The conversation dives into the impact of ageis...

What happens when artificial intelligence meets end-of-life care? How do we reconcile private equity's profit motives with hospice's mission-driven ethos? These questions took center stage in this month's roundup of hospice news with host Chris Comeaux and guest Cordt Kassner. The May edition of TCNtalks' top news stories reveals a healthcare sector at a fascinating crossroads. AI has emerged as both a tantalizing promise and a practical challenge for hospice providers.&nb...

What happens when ancient philosophical questions about "the good life" collide with modern healthcare regulations? In this compelling episode of TCNtalks, host Chris Comeaux welcomes hospice leaders Annette Kiser, Chief Compliance Officer with Teleios, and Judi Lund Person, Principal, Lund Person & Associates LLC, for a deep dive into the regulatory crossroads facing hospice providers. In this episode, we discuss the FY 2026 Proposed Rule, which focused on implementing ...

In this episode, Daniel H. Pink, the world-renowned author of seven bestselling nonfiction books, discusses his interdisciplinary approach to understanding human motivation and the evolving work landscape in the AI age. Pink emphasizes the importance of empathy, creativity, and the need for individuals to augment machine intelligence rather than compete with it. He also explores the role of technology in healthcare, particularly in Hospice Care, and the significance of human connection...

What defines quality in end-of-life care? How are hospice organizations navigating workforce challenges? And why has medical aid in dying become such a critical conversation? These questions take center stage in this data-driven exploration of April's most impactful Hospice and Palliative Care news stories. In this episode of TCNtalks, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner discuss the top news stories from April, focusing on hospice and palliative care. They explore personal...