TCN Talks cover logo

Top News Stories Of The Month December 2023

1h 0m · TCN Talks · 10 Jan 10:00

As the year winds down, Mark Cohen joins me once more, bringing the warmth of the holidays to our discussion before we peer into the shifting tides of hospice and palliative care. Our conversation begins with the merriment of jazz in Montreal and quickly pivots to the sobering realities of the healthcare sector. From the scrutiny of nursing homes to the reshaping forces of industry mergers, we unpack the transformative events that are molding the future of end-of-life care.

Mark and I then cast a light on the healthcare headlines that have captivated our attention. We tackle the severe nursing shortage, navigate the complexities of medical marijuana policies, and honor the unsung heroes of healthcare—volunteers. As we pay homage to the lifelong dedication of Rosalynn Carter to caregivers, we also scrutinize the rising influence of for-profit providers in a field traditionally driven by a mission to serve.

The final moments of our masterclass with Mark are spent reflecting on the essence of what we do. We consider the weight of words in the hospice community, challenging the term "industry" for its inability to capture the movement's roots and its mission-focused spirit. We wrap up with an honest look at the financial sustainability of non-profit healthcare, invoking Sister Irene Krause's wisdom: "No margin, no mission." It's a poignant reminder that to care for others, we must ensure the stability of those who serve.

Join us for an episode that celebrates the holiday spirit, confronts the challenges of healthcare, and honors the individuals dedicated to making a difference.

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

The episode Top News Stories Of The Month December 2023 from the podcast TCN Talks has a duration of 1:00:40. It was first published 10 Jan 10:00. The cover art and the content belong to their respective owners.

More episodes from TCN Talks

Top News Stories of the Month, April 2024

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: Unleashed

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

Top News Stories of the Month, March 2024

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

Lessons Learned with Samira K. Beckwith, one of the matriarchs of community-based Hospice

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

From Substitution Competition to Collaboration: Shifting our mindset from Substitution Competition to Collaboration Opportunities

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

Every Podcast » TCN Talks » Top News Stories Of The Month December 2023