TCN Talks

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 di...

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,...

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 & Associa...

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...

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 This fundamental change raises urgent questions about Medicare's outdated reimbursement systems, particularly for hospice providers facing the reality of a mere 2.6% rate increase while battling significant inflation.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-de...

"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, genu...

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...

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 visi...

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 Pa...

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 gathe...

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 deficienc...

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...

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 man...

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 crossroad...

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 provi...

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 tech...

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 s...

Ketamine – a medicine long used as an anesthetic – is finding a powerful new purpose in hospice and palliative care settings.  Dr. Rohini Kanagante, a physician with expertise spanning both Hospice Care and Integrative Psychiatry, unveils the remarkable potential of this medication in our latest episode of TCNtalks.  Chris Comeaux invites Dr. Rohini Kanniganti, a hospice physician, to delve into t...

In this episode of TCN Talks, host Chris Comeaux interviews Rebecca Ramsay, CEO of House Call Providers. Rebecca shares her unique journey in healthcare and emphasizes the importance of nonprofit organizations in delivering quality care.  Rebecca discusses the evolution of House Call Providers, the significance of home-based primary care, and the interdisciplinary approach required to meet the nee...

In this episode of TCNtalks, Chris Comeaux and Dr. Cordt Kassner, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today and CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics, leverage their data and extensive experience to identify key hospice headlines, articles, research, and social media posts that are driving change and transforming end-of-life care and healthcare in America. They share personal experiences wit...

In this crossover show of TCNalks / Anatomy Of Leadership, host Chris Comeaux interviews NY Times bestselling author T. R. Reid.  They discuss T. R. Reid’s experiences and insights from researching healthcare systems around the world, particularly focusing on the need for universal coverage and the various models of healthcare delivery. T.R. emphasizes the importance of a key principle in any func...

This show is dedicated in memory of Tali Sutton, who unexpectedly died the week of February 3rd.  Tali was an upcoming leader in hospice and palliative care in New York State as CEO of CareFirstNY. In this episode of TCNtalks, Chris Comeaux speaks with Jeanne Chirico, the President and CEO of Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York State (HPCANYS), about the unique challenges and oppor...

The latest episode dives into important topics affecting hospice and palliative care today, shedding light on key trends from February’s news. Our hosts emphasize how personal experiences shape their perspectives on the challenges and innovations within the field.  • Overview of TCN Talks and its purpose  • Discussion on meaningful personal experiences in hospice care  • Key February news stories...

In this episode of TCN Talks, host Chris Comeaux interviews Bree Owens, a licensed clinical social worker and co-founder of The Holding Group. They discuss Bree’s journey in the healthcare field, particularly in palliative care.  Bree shares insights on having learned the importance of having meaningful conversations with patients and families about their care options, which led her to the unique...

In this episode of TCNtalks, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner, PhD, publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today and CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics, begin a new format for the “Top News Stories of the Month.”  Cordt joins, stepping in for Mark Cohen, and brings the statistics from the daily newsletter Hospice & Palliative Care Today. Chris and Cordt explore key trends in hospice news,...