TCN Talks

Chris Comeaux

Welcome to TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership. 

  1. 4d ago

    Part Two | Hospice Wage Index, the Final Rule, and the Signals CMS Is Sending - FY 2027

    What is CMS really signaling about the future of hospice? In Part Two, Chris Comeaux continues his conversation with hospice experts Annette Kiser and Judi Lund Person about the Hospice Wage Index, the Final Rule, and what leaders should be preparing for now. They explore the larger shift toward increased CMS oversight, data-driven accountability, stronger documentation, scrutiny of non-hospice spending, and greater expectations around quality and value. From SSVI and PEPPER data to the mandatory hospice addendum, claims, and cost reports, the message is clear: hospice organizations need to understand their data and trends before CMS does. The conversation also looks ahead to the future of the Medicare Hospice Benefit, including potential payment reform, outcomes-based accountability, and the growing importance of accurate, auditable cost reports. Most importantly, Annette and Judi challenge leaders to look beyond compliance and keep patients and families at the center—using data not simply to satisfy regulators, but to identify gaps, improve care, and build stronger organizations for the future. If you lead a hospice or work in compliance, quality, operations, or finance, this is a conversation you don't want to miss. ▶️ Watch Part Two and share it with your leadership team. 🔔 Subscribe to TCNtalks and Anatomy of Leadership for more conversations exploring hospice, healthcare leadership, innovation, regulation, and the future of serious illness care. Guests: Annette Kiser — Chief Compliance Officer, Teleios Collaborative Network Judi Lund Person — Principal, Lund Person & Associates Host: Chris Comeaux — President/CEO of Teleios and author of The Anatomy of Leadership Teleios Collaborative Network   /   https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

    Part Two | Hospice Wage Index, the Final Rule, and the Signals CMS Is Sending - FY 2027
  2. 6d ago

    Hospice Wage Index, the Final Rule, and the Signals CMS Is Sending | Part One

    What is CMS really signaling through the 2027 Hospice Wage Index and Final Rule—and what should hospice leaders be doing now? In Part One, host Chris Comeaux is joined by hospice regulatory experts Annette Kiser and Judi Lund Person to unpack the 2027 Hospice Wage Index and Final Rule and look beyond reimbursement to what CMS may be signaling about the future of hospice regulation, compliance, payment, and oversight. They explore the Hospice Election Statement Addendum, the Service and Spending Variation Index (SSVI), non-hospice Medicare spending, Part B claims, telehealth reporting, and why leaders should be examining their data through a quality and compliance lens. In this episode: What the 2027 Hospice Final Rule reveals about CMS prioritiesPreparing for the October 1, 2026 Election Statement AddendumUnderstanding SSVI and non-hospice spendingWhy CMS is increasing scrutiny of unrelated servicesTelehealth, G-code reporting, and eligibilityUsing SSVI and PEPPER data to identify trends and opportunitiesCMS reported that Medicare Part A and B non-hospice spending increased 160% from 2020 to 2024, exceeding $2 billion in 2024, with hospice patients responsible for approximately $510 million in cost sharing—a major reason this issue is receiving increased attention. fileciteturn0file0L130-L148 The Final Rule tells you what CMS is doing. The details may tell you what CMS is preparing to do next. ▶️ Listen to Part One, share it with your hospice leadership team, and subscribe so you don’t miss Part Two. Guests: Annette Kiser — Chief Compliance Officer, Teleios Collaborative Network Judi Lund Person — Principal, Lund Person & Associates Host: Chris Comeaux — President/CEO of Teleios and author of The Anatomy of Leadership Teleios Collaborative Network   /   https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

    Hospice Wage Index, the Final Rule, and the Signals CMS Is Sending | Part One
  3. Aug 14

    Part Two | The Healthcare Partnership Nobody Is Talking About: Hospice + FQHCs

    What if one of the most powerful partnerships in serious illness care is one healthcare leaders have largely overlooked? In Part Two of The Healthcare Partnership Nobody Is Talking About: Hospice + FQHCs, Chris Comeaux continues his conversation with Kyle Ahlenstorf about the opportunity for hospice and palliative care organizations to partner with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to create a stronger continuum of care. FQHCs bring primary and preventive care, behavioral health, care coordination, community health workers, telehealth capabilities, and deep connections within their communities.  Hospice and palliative care organizations bring expertise in serious illness and the ability to extend specialized care directly into the home. Chris and Kyle explore what could become possible when these strengths are intentionally connected.  In this episode, you'll hear about: How hospice, palliative care, and FQHCs can collaborate beyond traditional referral relationshipsOpportunities to extend palliative and serious illness care into the homeThe role of care coordinators, referral specialists, and community health workersHow FQHCs integrate behavioral health, substance use disorder services, and telehealthWhat hospice leaders should understand about FQHC operations, federal funding, and the 340B Drug Pricing ProgramThe importance of EMR data sharing, quality reporting, and value-based careHow FQHCs participate in ACOs and shared-savings modelsPotential opportunities involving rural healthcare transformation grants and service co-locationWhy these partnerships could become increasingly important to the future of community-based healthcare Kyle's message to hospice and palliative care leaders is simple: “Think of us as partners.”  Stronger community connections can help organizations better coordinate resources and serve patients across the continuum.  If you're a hospice leader, palliative care professional, FQHC executive, healthcare executive, nonprofit leader, or anyone working in value-based and community-based care, this conversation offers a different way to think about partnership, access, and healthcare innovation. 👍 Like this episode 💬 Share your thoughts in the comments 🔔 Subscribe to TCNtalks and Anatomy of Leadership for more conversations designed to challenge healthcare leaders, spark innovation, and inspire better leadership. Episode Topics: Hospice care, palliative care, Federally Qualified Health Centers, FQHCs, serious illness care, community health centers, healthcare partnerships, value-based care, behavioral health, 340B Drug Pricing Program, ACOs, rural healthcare, community health workers, care coordination, telehealth, preventive care, population health, healthcare leadership Guest: Kyle Ahlenstorf, CEO of Infinity Health Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership Teleios Collaborative Network   /   https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

    Part Two | The Healthcare Partnership Nobody Is Talking About: Hospice + FQHCs
  4. Aug 12

    The Healthcare Partnership Nobody Is Talking About: Hospice + FQHCs | Part One

    What if one of the biggest untapped opportunities for hospice growth, access, and community impact is a partnership most healthcare leaders aren’t even considering? In Part One of The Healthcare Partnership Nobody Is Talking About: Hospice + FQHCs, Chris Comeaux sits down with Kyle Ahlenstorf, CEO of Infinity Health, to explore the powerful potential of partnerships between hospice and palliative care organizations and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). FQHCs are built around access, equity, and serving communities where barriers to healthcare are often greatest.  Kyle explains how these community health centers work, how they’re reimbursed, the populations they serve, and why their mission has so much in common with hospice and palliative care.  The conversation also explores integrated medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services—and how FQHCs can function as an important hub for coordinated, patient-centered care.  For hospice leaders, the opportunity goes far beyond generating another referral. Kyle and Chris discuss how trusted relationships, provider education, care coordination, and warm handoffs can create a stronger continuum of care for people facing serious illness.  Kyle also offers a highly practical starting point: find out who manages referrals at your local FQHC and begin building the relationship there.  In this episode, you’ll discover: What an FQHC is and why it matters to the healthcare safety netWhy hospice and FQHC missions may be more closely aligned than leaders realizeHow FQHC reimbursement and payer mix workHow FQHCs integrate medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy servicesWhy care coordination and warm handoffs matter for serious illnessCommon misconceptions hospice leaders may have about FQHC patientsHow hospice organizations can begin building relationships with local FQHCsWhy behavioral health may represent another major area for collaboration If you lead a hospice, palliative care organization, FQHC, community health center, nonprofit, or rural healthcare organization, this is a conversation worth bringing back to your leadership team. 👉 Your next step: Find the FQHCs serving your community.  Identify their referral or care coordination leader. Start a conversation about where your missions—and your patients—intersect. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss Part Two of this important conversation. Guest: Kyle Ahlenstorf, CEO of Infinity Health Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership Teleios Collaborative Network   /   https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

    The Healthcare Partnership Nobody Is Talking About: Hospice + FQHCs | Part One
  5. Aug 7

    Part Two | Embracing the Four M's—A Path to Person-Centered, Reliable Hospice and Palliative Care

    What if the biggest breakthrough in hospice care isn't a new technology—but a better way of focusing on what matters most? In Part Two of this special conversation, host Chris Comeaux continues his discussion with Kelly McCutcheon Adams and Margherita Labson about how the Four M's Framework—What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility—is transforming hospice and palliative care into a more reliable, person-centered model.  Together, they explore why exceptional hospice care goes far beyond symptom management to preserve dignity, independence, emotional well-being, and meaningful moments for patients and families.  The conversation dives into practical questions every hospice leader and clinician should be asking: How can we better address delirium, depression, and cognition at the end of life? Why should mobility be viewed as preserving independence instead of simply preventing falls? Is it time to add a fifth "M" to the framework? What would healthcare look like if every decision truly began with what matters most? Kelly and Margherita also paint a compelling vision for the future of hospice—one where earlier conversations, better continuity of care, and reliable systems lead to fewer late hospice admissions, better patient experiences, and stronger healthcare organizations.  Their message to leaders is both practical and inspiring: hospice is not something to apologize for—it's one of healthcare's greatest expressions of compassion.  Whether you're a hospice executive, palliative care professional, healthcare leader, clinician, nonprofit executive, or someone passionate about improving the patient experience, this episode offers actionable insights that can reshape the way you think about quality care. In This Episode: ✅ Why Mentation deserves greater attention in hospice care ✅ Looking beyond fall prevention to meaningful Mobility ✅ The debate over adding a Fifth M to Age-Friendly Care ✅ Why earlier hospice conversations improve patient outcomes ✅ Practical leadership advice for creating reliable, person-centered care systems ✅ Resources available through the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Guest:  Kelly McCutcheon Adams, Senior Director at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Margherita Labson, President and CEO, MCLabson Consultation and Education Services Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership Learn More ➡️ Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI): https://www.ihi.org ➡️ Learn more about Teleios Collaborative Network: https://www.teleioscn.org 🎙️ Subscribe to TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership for conversations with healthcare innovators, nonprofit leaders, and industry experts who are shaping the future of leadership and care. 👍 If you found this episode valuable—Like this video Share it with your colleagues—Leave a comment: How can healthcare better focus on what matters most? Teleios Collaborative Network   /   https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

    Part Two | Embracing the Four M's—A Path to Person-Centered, Reliable Hospice and Palliative Care
  6. Aug 5

    Embracing the Four M's—A Path to Person-Centered, Reliable Hospice and Palliative Care | Part One

    How can hospice and palliative care become more person-centered while also becoming more reliable? In Part One of this Anatomy of Leadership conversation, host Chris Comeaux sits down with Kelly McCutcheon Adams, Senior Director at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), and Margherita Labson, President and CEO of McLabson Consultation & Education Services, to explore the groundbreaking 4 M's Framework and its growing impact on hospice and palliative care.  Originally developed through the Age-Friendly Health Systems Initiative, the 4 M's—What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility—provide a practical, evidence-based framework for helping healthcare teams consistently deliver individualized care that aligns with each patient's goals while improving reliability across the care continuum.  During this conversation, you'll discover: Why the 4 M's are a framework—not another quality measureHow "What Matters" transforms goal-concordant hospice careWhy reliability and individualized care are not mutually exclusiveHow medication decisions should be guided by patient goals—not habitsWhat hospice leaders can learn from the science of quality improvement Whether you're a hospice executive, palliative care clinician, healthcare leader, or quality improvement professional, this episode offers practical insights for building care systems that are both compassionate and consistently excellent.  Don't miss Part Two, where we continue the discussion by exploring the remaining 4Ms and practical strategies for implementing this framework within hospice organizations. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:22 Meet Kelly McCutcheon Adams & Margherita Labson 04:14 What is the 4Ms Framework? 06:58 How IHI is Bringing the 4Ms to Hospice Care 09:43 The Mission of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) 11:46 Why the 4Ms Work Across Every Care Setting 15:17 Framework vs. Traditional Quality Measures 17:24 What "What Matters" Really Means in Hospice 21:08 Reliable Systems for Individualized Care 26:57 Medication Decisions Guided by Patient Goals 32:12 Hospice, Opioids, and Changing the Conversation 34:37 Coming Up in Part Two 🎙️ Learn more about TCNtalks /Anatomy of Leadership and by subscribing and following Teleios Collaborative Network (www.teleioscn.org) for more conversations on leadership, hospice, healthcare innovation, and purpose-driven organizations. Teleios Collaborative Network   /   https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

    Embracing the Four M's—A Path to Person-Centered, Reliable Hospice and Palliative Care | Part One
  7. Jul 31

    Part 2 - Why Traditional Primary Care Fails Frail Elders and the Future Need for Specialized Models

    Can hospice organizations remain relevant if they only engage patients during the final months of life? In Part Two of this thought-provoking conversation, host Chris Comeaux continues his discussion with Dr. Bethany Snider, exploring why traditional primary care often falls short for frail elders and why nonprofit healthcare organizations must rethink the future of serious illness care. Dr. Snider explains how frail elder practices, value-based care, advanced primary care, palliative care, and hospice can work together as one seamless continuum to improve patient outcomes, reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, and help older adults age safely in place. She also shares practical insights on reimbursement strategies, accountable care, leadership, emotional intelligence, organizational innovation, and building sustainable care models that preserve the hospice mission for decades to come. Whether you lead a hospice organization, health system, nonprofit, accountable care organization, or healthcare practice, this episode provides actionable leadership insights on preparing for the next generation of healthcare delivery. Episode Highlights - Why traditional primary care often fails frail elders - The business case for upstream serious illness care - Building sustainable value-based care models - Measuring outcomes beyond traditional healthcare metrics - The future of integrated primary care, palliative care, and hospice - Leadership lessons on innovation, emotional intelligence, and failing fast - Why partnerships will shape the future of nonprofit healthcare Guest: Dr. Bethany Snider, CMO of Everent Health Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of Leadership Teleios Collaborative Network   /   https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

    Part 2 - Why Traditional Primary Care Fails Frail Elders and the Future Need for Specialized Models
  8. Jul 29

    Why Traditional Primary Care Fails Frail Elders and the Future Need for Specialized Models | Part One

    Is traditional primary care failing America's frail elders? As our aging population grows, healthcare leaders face an urgent challenge: today's healthcare system was never designed to meet the complex, long-term needs of frail older adults. In Part One of this compelling conversation, Chris Comeaux welcomes Dr. Bethany Snider, Chief Medical Officer of Everent Health, to explore why the future of healthcare requires a new model of care.  Together, they examine the emerging concept of the frail elder practice—an interdisciplinary, relationship-centered approach that goes far beyond traditional primary care by integrating home-based care, caregiver support, palliative care principles, and longitudinal care management. Dr. Snider explains why traditional primary care, built around brief office visits and volume-driven reimbursement, is increasingly inadequate for patients living with serious illness, multiple chronic conditions, functional decline, and caregiver challenges.  She also discusses why hospice organizations must begin moving upstream as value-based healthcare, accountable care organizations (ACOs), and population health models reshape access to patients and redefine the future of serious illness care. Whether you lead a health system, hospice, physician practice, nonprofit, or healthcare organization, this episode offers strategic insights into where healthcare is headed—and why organizations that adapt early will be best positioned to improve patient outcomes while advancing their mission. In this episode, you'll learn: •Why traditional primary care often falls short for frail elders •What defines a successful frail elder practice model •How interdisciplinary, home-based care improves quality of life •Why hospice leaders must rethink their role in value-based healthcare •How palliative care should be integrated throughout the patient journey •What healthcare leaders should be doing today to prepare for tomorrow 🎧 Don't miss Part Two, where Dr. Snider shares how healthcare organizations can successfully build, scale, and sustain frail elder practice models. About TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership TCNtalks and Anatomy of Leadership feature conversations with today's most respected healthcare executives, physicians, researchers, and business leaders exploring leadership, innovation, hospice, palliative care, serious illness care, nonprofit management, and the future of healthcare. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations designed to help you lead with greater purpose, compassion, and impact. Teleios Collaborative Network   /   https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

    Why Traditional Primary Care Fails Frail Elders and the Future Need for Specialized Models | Part One
5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Welcome to TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership.