TCN Talks – Details, episodes & analysis

We uncover the hidden challenges and triumphs of the Hospice community in our latest episode of TCNtalks.  Join us, alongside Mark Cohen, as we discuss the impact of John Oliver's HBO episode on Hospice fraud, abuse, and neglect.  The conversation highlights the need for reputable providers from both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors to join forces to protect the integrity of Hospice Care. 

We also bring you the hottest topics from Hospice and Palliative Care Today, including insights on the CMS's 2025 Hospice Final Rule and alarming reports on fraudulent Hospices targeting the most vulnerable.
 
In this podcast episode, Mark Cohen joins Chris for more for the Top News Stories of the Month of August.  This is a new format as Mark has retired from publishing the Hospice News Today as he has transitioned it to Cordt Kassner and the daily publication has been rebranded as Hospice and Palliative Care Today.  You can subscribe for free here:  www.hospicepalliativecaretoday.com

With this new format, Mark and Chris highlight the top news stories you should not have missed, each from their different perspectives.  Mark as an editor, news aggregator, and longtime marketing Executive focusing on the quantitative data provided by Cordt’s team regarding the most clicked on and read stories, and Chris as a C-Suite leader of Hospice and Palliative Care.  

In this conversation, Chris Comeaux and Mark Cohen discuss the impact of negative media coverage the hospice sector.  They emphasize the importance of focusing on the quality of care and sharing positive stories to counteract negative perceptions while also preparing Hospice leaders for crisis communication scenarios.  Mark provides tips for effective crisis communication, including identifying and training spokespeople, and having a professional standing by to provide assistance.  The conversation concludes with a reminder to tell the Hospice story consistently and over time to build reputational goodwill. 

Guest: Mark Cohen, Strategic Communications Consultant/Cohen-Fyfe Communications 

Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN / TCG 

https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/top-news-stories-of-the-month-august-2024

Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

In this episode of TCN Talks, Chris interviews Annette Kiser, Chief Compliance Officer with Teleios and Judi Lund Person, Principal with Lund Person & Associates LLC.  The conversation covers the need to know around the final published 2025 Wage Index for Hospices.  Some of the key points discussed are: 

• The rate increase of 2.9%.
• The CBSA is an important factor in determining rates for Hospices, and changes can significantly impact reimbursement.
• The CAHPS Hospice Survey is undergoing changes, including the introduction of online survey options and revisions to the survey questions.
• Hospices need to stay informed about these changes and adjust their operational planning to ensure compliance and quality care.  The lag in reporting data can result in a delay of several years before the public sees the results of the Hospice Quality Reporting Program.
• Understanding and addressing patient care preferences is crucial for providing individualized and high-quality Hospice Care.
• Increased participation in the CAHPS Hospice Survey is necessary to gather valuable feedback from families and improve the quality of care.
• The implementation of the HOPE tool brings significant changes to the hospice industry, including additional questions and visits to assess symptom impact and social determinants of health.
• Regulatory changes regarding certification of terminal illness and the election statement provide clarity and align different sections of the Hospice Conditions of Participation.
• The future of Hospice Care involves a shift towards value-based arrangements and the collection of more detailed data to measure outcomes and improve quality of care. 

The conversation concludes with a discussion on the future of hospice care and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.  Annette and Judi are a wealth of experience and knowledge.  So join us, this is a great listen for staff, leaders, and Boards of hospice and palliative care organizations to become more educated about the changes that are coming and the tracks being laid with the 2025 Wage Index.  This is timely and relevant.   

Guest: 
Annette Kiser, Chief Compliance Officer with Teleios Collaborative Network

Judi Lund Person, Principal, Lund Person & Associates LLC

Host:
Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN / TCG

https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/the-need-to-know-on-the-2025-hospice-wage-index

Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

Discover the pulse of hospice and palliative care as I, alongside Mark Cohen, unravel the complexities and triumphs of the industry's latest happenings.  We've curated a compelling lineup of topics that promise to enrich your understanding of the field, from the stark disparities in cancer rates within the LGBTQ+ community to the ongoing struggles Black Americans face in serious illness care. As local newsrooms face cutbacks, we shed light on alternative ways hospice providers can remain influential in their communities, and we don't shy away from the gritty reality of legislative changes impacting hospice care.

Navigating the turbulent waters of healthcare, we dissect the seismic shifts from nonprofit hospitals to concierge care and the potential upheavals of Cigna's and Humana's corporate dance.  The conversation takes a deep dive into the workforce crisis plaguing nursing, revealing the burnout, financial strains, and the surge in unionization that are reshaping the landscape. Mark Cohen's insights illuminate the monumental wage suit victory for Providence employees, and the implications these tides of change could have on early-career doctors and the patients they serve.

In our final chapter, we explore the avant-garde of healthcare regulations and innovation, analyzing the Labor Department's new overtime rule, Medicare and Medicaid missteps, and the proposed 2025 hospice rule changes.  We venture into the realm of technological advancements, discussing cutting-edge tools enhancing senior care and the pivotal role of telehealth in rural caregiving. 

As we close, remember: Effective media relations are vital for hospices, and I offer pearls of wisdom on staying visible in the media fray, inspired by George Eliot's belief in the power of small, consistent efforts.

Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

Judi Lund Person, former vice president of regulatory and compliance at NHPCO, shares her journey into the hospice industry and her passion for ensuring patients and families receive the care they need and want.

Judi emphasizes the importance of addressing bad hospice care and uncovering fraud and abuse in the industry.  She discusses the proposed changes in the 2025 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Conditions, including the implementation of the HOPE tool and the revised hospice cap survey.  Also, Judi highlights the sunset of the VBID demonstration and the need to focus on accountable care organizations and quality reporting.

The conversation concludes with a focus on the importance of putting patients and families at the center of hospice and palliative care.  The discussion highlights the need for personalized care and the role of volunteers in providing support. The conversation also touches on the potential for innovation and collaboration with Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans.  The wage index and its impact on hospice reimbursement rates are discussed, along with the potential for value-based purchasing arrangements in the future.


Takeaways

• Ensure patients and families receive the care they need and want.
• Address bad hospice care and uncover fraud and abuse in the industry.
• Stay informed about proposed changes in the 2025 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Conditions.
• Prepare for the implementation of the HOPE tool and revised hospice cap survey.
• Stay engaged with accountable care organizations and quality reporting Patients and families should be the focus of hospice and palliative care, with personalized care tailored to their needs.
• Volunteers play a crucial role in providing support and should be integrated into hospice programs.
• There is potential for innovation and collaboration with Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans to improve care delivery.
• The wage index and its impact on reimbursement rates for hospice services should be carefully considered.
• Value-based purchasing arrangements may be a future direction for hospice care.

This is a great listen for staff, leaders, and boards of hospice and palliative care organizations. Here’s a great quote from the discussion: “You never know when something you do or somebody you talk to changes the course of your life."  Join us, this is timely and relevant.

 https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/judi-lund-person-unleashed

Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

In this week’s podcast Mark Cohen joins me once more for the Top News Stories for the prior month.  This is a new format as Mark has retired from publishing the Hospice News Today as he has transitioned it to Cordt Kassner and the daily publication has been rebranded as Hospice and Palliative Care Today.  You can subscribe for free here:  https://www.hospicepalliativecaretoday.com/

With this new format Mark and Chris highlight the top news stories you should not have missed each from their different perspectives Mark as an editor, news aggregator, and longtime marketing Executive focusing on the quantitative data provided by Cordt’s team regarding the most clicked on and read stories, and Chris as a C-Suite leader of Hospice and palliative care.

Join us as we explore in this episode topics such as rising suicide risk among seniors, HHS Secretary Becerra's testimony, MedPAC's payment policy report, and technical corrections to the CAHPS Hospice Survey.  They also categorize the articles into themes such as mission moments, reimbursement challenges, competition, workforce challenges, patient and family demographics, regulatory and political issues, technology and innovations, and more. Mark also provides a master class on the use of stock photography in hospice marketing. 

Tune in for a comprehensive analysis that intertwines personal experiences, industry insights, and forward-looking predictions, all contributing to a must-listen episode for healthcare professionals and enthusiasts alike.  You won’t want to miss this.  

Guest: Mark Cohen, Strategic Communications Consultant/Cohen-Fyfe Communications

Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN / TCG
www.teleioscn.org

Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

When Samira K. Beckwith graces our mic, you're not just hearing from a healthcare visionary; you're learning from a powerhouse who transformed her battle with Hodgkin’s disease into a beacon of hope for hospice and palliative care. Her journey, shaped by personal trials and the work of legends like Kubler-Ross and Dame Cicely Saunders, has redefined what compassionate care looks like at life's end. Join us as Samira unfolds the narrative of her life's work, mentoring future leaders and innovating patient care to resonate profoundly with those in their twilight chapters.

There's a revolution brewing in elder care and hospice services, and it's one that Samira has been at the forefront of. The pioneering PACE program and the evolution of Hope Hospice into Hope Healthcare serve as testaments to the changing landscape of community-centric care. In this episode, we reveal how initiatives like 'Dancing with the Stars' are more than glitter and glam; they're strategic engagements that knit the community closer, fostering an ecosystem where leadership transcends tasks and becomes a symphony of hope and holistic care.

As we wrap up, we cast a gaze toward the horizon where palliative care and the funeral industry intertwine in the concept of Celebration of Life Centers. Samira and I discuss the essentials of maintaining the sanctity of hospice in the midst of such transitions, embracing innovation while safeguarding the soul of whole-person care. We invite you to lean in, subscribe, and join the conversation that looks to the future without losing sight of the hospice heritage—a delicate dance of mission and business, ensuring the heart of care remains beating strong.

Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

Discover the transformative power of hospice and palliative care as Dr. Katy Lanz, a pioneer in the field, joins me, Chris Comeaux, for a riveting conversation on the industry's future. As the founder of TopSite Partners, Dr. Lanz offers her wealth of knowledge, taking us through the industry's evolution with a particular focus on how "substitution competition" is paving the way for innovative collaborative opportunities. Her insights provide a roadmap for navigating the changing tides with ingenuity, highlighting the crucial role of personalized patient engagement and the integration of primary care with social support systems.

Embark on a journey into the heart of healthcare innovation as we discuss the "blue oval" of creativity that lies beyond the confines of traditional healthcare silos. Our discussion illuminates the impact of characters like Susan, who embody the bridge between patients and providers, offering a model for seamless care coordination. We challenge mission-driven healthcare organizations to think outside the box, forge alliances, and pool resources to create indispensable, value-centric care for homebound individuals, turning potential competition into collective success stories.

We scrutinize the delicate dance between developing in-house capabilities and forming strategic partnerships for securing contracts with major healthcare entities. The episode culminates with an inspirational call to action, urging healthcare providers to engage with patients early and integrate deeply into their lives, to remain an essential part of the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. Join us for this profound exploration that prepares us to meet the demands of a new era in healthcare.

Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

Navigating the complexities of hospice and palliative care takes a special blend of compassion and knowledge.  Join us as Cordt Kassner, a true pioneer with a career spanning over a quarter of a century, shares his experiential treasure trove.  Cordt, now at the helm of Hospice and Palliative Care Today, brings his research acumen from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center to the forefront, discussing the vital role of daily newsletters in keeping industry professionals at the cutting edge.

This episode peels back the layers of healthcare's pressing issues, spotlighting stories that might otherwise slip through the cracks—such as the nuances of hospice facility closures and the ripple effect of private equity in healthcare. Through Cordt's lens, we gain a fresh perspective on these underreported narratives and their far-reaching implications. As he weaves personal tales of hiking and pickleball into our conversation, it's a poignant reminder of the human element that lies at the heart of hospice care.

Wrapping up with a dose of daily inspiration, we reflect on the wise words of historical figures and their enduring influence on our mission in healthcare. Cordt leaves us with a poignant quote, a beacon of motivation that echoes long after our chat concludes. So, pour a comforting beverage, settle in, and let this dialogue stir both mind and spirit, reminding us why we wake up each day to serve those at life's final chapter.

Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

Join us on TCNtalks as we welcome back one of the most sought after consultants in the serious illness space, Peter Benjamin, partner at the Huntington Consulting Group, for a compelling discussion on the pivotal shifts occurring in hospice care.

Listen in as Peter, with his 45-year tenure mirroring the evolution of hospice in the United States, offers his seasoned perspective on how these community-based providers can navigate and flourish through the transformative years ahead. His reflections on the hospice benefit's origins and the urgent need for an evolved approach to end-of-life care set the stage for a thought-provoking session.

This conversation ventures into the intricacies of leadership within hospice and palliative care, stressing the urgency for professionals to embrace innovation and adapt to emerging care models. With a lens on the future, we examine the 'Buy, Build, Partner' framework as healthcare organizations grapple with market changes and the complex decisions they face. The talk further unfolds the evolving business models in senior housing and the importance of understanding the nuanced dynamics of the industry to maintain relevance during this critical time.

Wrapping up our enriching exchange, Peter imparts career advice to young healthcare professionals aspiring to make an impact, emphasizing the importance of aligning with organizations at the forefront of industry transformation.

Key Takeaways

• Hospice and palliative care programs need to adapt to the changing healthcare landscape to remain relevant.
• Understanding emerging models of care, such as Medicare Advantage and Special Needs Plans, is crucial for hospice leaders.
• Building, buying, or partnering with other organizations can help hospice programs navigate the evolving healthcare market.
• Young professionals should consider a career in end-of-life care and be prepared to embrace change and innovation.
• Leadership is essential in times of change and can help hospice programs thrive in the future. Medicare Advantage plans are not going away and will continue to play a significant role in the future of hospice care.

Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN/TCG
Guest: Peter Benjamin, , Partner, The Huntington Consulting Group 

Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

In this week’s podcast, Mark Cohen joins Chris Comeaux again for the Top News Stories of the prior month.  This is a new format as Mark has retired from publishing the Hospice News Today as he has transitioned it to Cordt Kassner and the daily publication has been rebranded as Hospice and Palliative Care Today.  You can subscribe for free here:  www.hospicepalliativecaretoday.com

With this new format, Mark and Chris highlight the top news stories you don't want to miss, each from their different perspectives.  Mark is an editor, news aggregator, and longtime marketing Executive, and Chris is a C-Suite leader of hospice and palliative care.

Join us as they explore the dynamic shifts within the hospice industry.  Their conversation celebrates impactful 'mission moments' within hospice care, sharing heartfelt stories that exemplify the profound connection between caregivers and patients and address the financial and operational challenges hospices face today.  

Listen in as they tackle the critical issues in healthcare, from the effects of Medicare Advantage on hospice reimbursement to the concerns of data breaches and AI evolutions.  They engage with the complexities of an industry under the microscope of private equity and regulatory scrutiny and highlight the inspiring ways technology is reshaping care delivery.  The discussion with Mark extends to the closure of rural hospitals.

Also, for a fun twist this month, Mark and Chris highlight their predictions and trends we will see over 2024.  As we gaze into the future, they share predictions for the healthcare trends of 2024, anticipating collaborative networks, the consequences of pharmacy deserts, and the enduring struggles of the healthcare workforce.

Tune in for a comprehensive analysis that intertwines personal experiences, industry insights, and forward-looking predictions, all contributing to a must-listen episode for healthcare professionals and enthusiasts alike.  You won’t want to miss this. 

Guest:
Mark Cohen
Principal, Cohen-Fyfe Communications LLC
Biography

Host: 
Chris Comeaux
President & CEO
Teleios Collaborative Network

Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast