AI, Hospice Fraud Crackdown & Medicare’s Future—The Biggest Healthcare Stories of 2026

AI is transforming healthcare. Medicare policy is evolving. Regulatory scrutiny is intensifying. What do these changes mean for healthcare leaders, hospice executives, nonprofit organizations, and healthcare professionals?In Part Two of this quarterly healthcare leadership update, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner examine the biggest healthcare trends of 2026, exploring how artificial intelligence in healthcare, Medicare policy, healthcare affordability, hospice fraud enforcement, regulatory compliance, and healthcare innovation are reshaping hospice and the broader healthcare industry. They discuss how AI is changing the healthcare workforce, why quality and transparency matter more than ever, and what healthcare executives should know about the future of hospice care, palliative care, and value-based healthcare.Whether you lead a hospice organization, health system, nonprofit healthcare organization, or healthcare business, this episode provides practical leadership insights to help you navigate healthcare policy changes, prepare for emerging technology, understand the future of Medicare, and make strategic decisions in an increasingly complex healthcare environment. If you’re interested in healthcare leadership, AI in hospice, healthcare management, Medicare reform, or the future of healthcare, this conversation will help you anticipate what’s next instead of simply reacting to today’s headlines.Episode Highlights✔ AI: Augmenting people vs. replacing jobs✔ Medicare policy and healthcare affordability✔ Hospice fraud enforcement & regulatory trends✔ Industry consolidation & nonprofit outlook✔ Leadership strategies for navigating change🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations on healthcare leadership, hospice innovation, and the future of care.Co-Host: Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care TodayVP Data Science & Research at 1520ai | CEO/Founder of Hospice AnalyticsHost: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of LeadershipTeleios Collaborative Network   /   https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

AI is changing healthcare faster than ever.  Medicare is under increasing pressure.  Hospice fraud is driving unprecedented regulatory action. The question isn’t whether healthcare is changing—it’s whether leaders are prepared for what’s next.In Part One of this quarterly TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership special, host Chris Comeaux welcomes healthcare strategist Cordt Kassner to break down the biggest healthcare stories shaping 2026.  Together, they examine the trends every healthcare executive, hospice leader, nonprofit executive, and business leader should be watching.Using Dr. Ira Byock’s strategic framework as their guide, Chris and Cordt explore the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, the growing crackdown on hospice fraud and abuse, Medicare’s financial future, healthcare affordability, quality measurement, workforce transformation, and the continued consolidation of the hospice industry.They also discuss how AI is likely to augment—not replace—healthcare professionals, why quality and transparency are becoming central competitive advantages, and what nonprofit organizations must do to thrive in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.If you’re responsible for leading a healthcare organization, hospice, palliative care program, nonprofit, or mission-driven business, this episode offers practical leadership insights and strategic perspective to help you prepare for what’s ahead.In this episode you’ll learn:• Why AI will fundamentally change healthcare leadership• How hospice fraud is reshaping federal oversight• What Medicare’s future could mean for providers• Why quality and transparency are becoming competitive advantages• How healthcare leaders can prepare for unprecedented industry change• What nonprofit healthcare organizations must do to remain relevantSubscribe for weekly conversations with today’s top healthcare, nonprofit, and business leaders as we explore leadership, innovation, strategy, and the future of healthcare.Co-Host: Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today | VP Data Science & Research at 1520ai | CEO/Founder of Hospice AnalyticsHost: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS | author of The Anatomy of LeadershipTeleios Collaborative Network   /   https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

Your greatest leadership challenge may not be staffing shortages or AI—it may be leading a multigenerational workforce with vastly different communication styles, expectations, and values. In Part 2 of Why Generations Clash at Work—And How Great Leaders Fix It, host Chris Comeaux welcomes nationally recognized generational leadership expert Karen McCullough for a practical conversation on multigenerational leadership, workplace culture, leadership communication, employee engagement, burnout prevention, organizational leadership, healthcare leadership, hospice leadership, nonprofit leadership, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence in the workplace.Discover why Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z often approach work differently—and how great leaders build trust, improve communication, strengthen workplace culture, and create high-performing teams without stereotyping employees.  Whether you lead a healthcare organization, hospice, nonprofit, or business, this episode offers actionable leadership strategies for managing generational differences while preserving authentic human connection in an increasingly digital world.In this episode you’ll discover:✔ Why generations often clash at work—and how leaders can bridge the gap✔ How to build a stronger workplace culture through everyday leadership behaviors✔ Why honest feedback creates trust and improves employee engagement✔ How AI should enhance leadership—not replace human connection✔ Practical ways to reduce burnout while strengthening collaboration across generationsKaren also shares why leaders must stop putting people into generational boxes and instead focus on understanding individuals, creating psychological safety, and fostering cultures built on empathy, accountability, and trust. You’ll also hear a thoughtful discussion about balancing technology with humanity, improving meetings, coaching younger employees, and creating workplaces where every generation can thrive together.If you’re passionate about leadership development, workplace culture, organizational culture, emotional intelligence, healthcare management, nonprofit leadership, hospice care, employee retention, team collaboration, and the future of work, this conversation is for you.👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and Share it with another leader committed to building stronger teams and healthier workplace cultures.Guest:Karen McCullough, Keynote Speaker - Generations and Workplace Trends 26 Years Speaking on and Observing the Generations in the Workplace Host:Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS / Author of The Anatomy of LeadershipTeleios Collaborative Network   /   https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

Why do generations often clash at work—and what can leaders do to bridge the divide? In this insightful first installment, Chris Comeaux sits down with nationally recognized generational expert Karen McCullough to explore the perspectives, experiences, and workplace expectations that shape Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. Drawing from more than two decades of research and real-world consulting, Karen unpacks why many workplace conflicts are not personal attacks, but differences in generational perspective.Together, they examine how communication styles, views on commitment, work-life balance, feedback, technology, and leadership have evolved across generations. Karen shares practical insights for healthcare, hospice, nonprofit, and business leaders who are navigating multigenerational teams and seeking to create cultures where every generation can thrive. This conversation challenges assumptions, encourages empathy, and provides a framework for leading through one of today’s most significant workplace dynamics.  Key TakeawaysGenerational workplace conflicts are often rooted in differing perspectives, not personal shortcomings or character flaws.Communication styles vary significantly across generations, creating misunderstandings around feedback, meetings, and collaboration.Generation X leaders are often balancing accountability with a growing need to coach and develop younger employees.Millennials and Gen Z have reshaped workplace expectations around purpose, flexibility, emotional intelligence, and work-life balance.Great leaders build stronger teams by understanding generational differences, adapting their leadership style, and fostering meaningful conversations.  Guest: Karen McCullough, Keynote Speaker - Generations and Workplace Trends 26 Years Speaking on and Observing the Generations in the Workplace Host:Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS / Author of The Anatomy of LeadershipIf you’re leading a team across multiple generations, this episode is a must-listen. Subscribe to TCNtalks /Anatomy of Leadership, share this episode with your leadership team, and join us for Part Two as we continue exploring practical strategies for building stronger, more connected, and more effective workplaces. Your next leadership breakthrough may begin with understanding a different perspective.Teleios Collaborative Network   /   https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

Can healthcare remain compassionate in an age of private equity, artificial intelligence, and growing financial pressures?In this part two episode, Chris Comeaux continues conversation with Lauren Kaufmann, Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia and Stephen Maiden, Managing Director of Case Writing Research Group, to discuss the future of healthcare, hospice, private equity, artificial intelligence, ethical leadership, and organizational mission.Drawing from their groundbreaking hospice case study, they explore why private equity has become one of the most controversial forces in healthcare, how AI is reshaping patient care and the workforce, and why measuring quality in hospice remains one of healthcare’s greatest challenges.This conversation goes far beyond hospice. It tackles questions every healthcare executive, nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, and business professional should be asking:✔ Can mission-driven organizations survive growth?✔ What causes mission drift?✔ Is healthcare becoming too corporate?✔ How should leaders balance profits and purpose?✔ What role should AI play in human-centered industries?✔ What does a “good death” actually mean?Our Guest:Lauren Kaufmann, Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the Darden School of Business at the University of VirginiaStephen Maiden, Managing Director of Case Writing Research GroupHost: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS / author of The Anatomy of Leadership👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe, and share this episode with colleagues and friends who care about healthcare, leadership, ethics, and organizational excellence.Teleios Collaborative Network   /   https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

Few topics spark more debate in healthcare than the intersection of compassionate care, ethical responsibility, and financial sustainability.Can mission-driven hospice organizations survive—and thrive—in a healthcare landscape increasingly dominated by for-profit providers?In Part One of this compelling conversation, TCNtalks/Anatomy of Leadership host Chris Comeaux welcomes Lauren Kaufmann, Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, and Stephen Maiden, Managing Director of the Darden Case Writing Research Group. Together, they discuss the groundbreaking business case developed around Teleios Collaborative Network and the evolving hospice industry. The conversation explores whether nonprofit hospice organizations possess unique structural advantages that can help them compete against larger, investor-backed healthcare models while remaining true to their mission.  Drawing on research, classroom discussions, and real-world leadership experiences, the guests examine topics including community trust, volunteerism, staffing ratios, organizational culture, governance, marketing, and ethical decision-making. They challenge assumptions about nonprofit and for-profit healthcare while offering a thoughtful exploration of what it takes to deliver “care as a relationship, not a transaction” in today’s healthcare environment.  Key TakeawaysNonprofit hospice organizations may possess structural advantages through community trust, volunteer engagement, and mission-driven cultures that are difficult for competitors to replicate.  The future success of nonprofit healthcare organizations depends not only on care quality but also on effectively communicating their value to patients and families.  Teleios’ hybrid model combines local independence with shared infrastructure, creating opportunities for scale while preserving community relationships.  Quality of care is often reflected in staffing levels, volunteer involvement, and personal relationships that may not be captured in traditional healthcare metrics.  Leadership, culture, and governance—not simply tax status—ultimately determine whether organizations fulfill their mission and deliver exceptional care.  Guest:Lauren Kaufmann, Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia Stephen Maiden, Managing Director of Case Writing Research GroupHost:Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of LeadershipTeleios Collaborative Network   /   https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

What if the most important care doesn’t happen in a hospital, hospice, or clinic—but in the moments in between?In Part Two of The Missing Middle in Healthcare—And Why It Matters, Chris Comeaux continues his conversation with Bridget Sumser and Sonya Dolan of Mettle Health to explore the often-overlooked gap between medical treatment and the lived human experience of illness. Together, they unpack the role of grief, community, language, and connection in supporting people facing serious illness, caregiving responsibilities, and end-of-life challenges.This episode challenges traditional healthcare thinking by asking a powerful question: Are we treating diseases while missing the deeper needs of the people experiencing them? Bridget and Sonya share their vision for a future where grief literacy, community support, and compassionate accompaniment become essential parts of care—not afterthoughts.Highlights from this Episode:✔ Why the word “hospice” can create unintended barriers to care ✔ The difference between treating illness and caring for the whole person ✔ How grief begins long before death and affects all of us ✔ Why community—not healthcare alone—is the missing middle ✔ The future of serious illness support and human-centered care ✔ How anyone can learn the skills of accompaniment and compassionate presence ✔ Mettle Health’s vision for transforming the way we navigate illness, loss, and mortalityWhether you’re leading a healthcare organization, caring for a loved one, or simply interested in improving the human experience of healthcare, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, purpose, healthcare innovation, and human flourishing.Guest:Sonya Dolan Co-Founder, Mettle Health Bridget Sumser, LCSW; Director of Counseling and Programs, Mettle HealthHost:Chris Comeaux, President | CEO of TELEIOS and author of The Anatomy of LeadershipTeleios Collaborative Network   /   https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

What happens after a serious diagnosis—but before hospice care begins?In this compelling conversation, host Chris Comeaux sits down with Sonya Dolan, Co-Founder of Mettle Health, and Bridget Sumser, Director of Counseling & Programs, to explore one of healthcare’s most overlooked challenges: the “missing middle.”Drawing from decades of experience in hospice, palliative care, caregiving, and serious illness support, Sonya and Bridget discuss the critical gaps patients and families face as they navigate life-altering diagnoses, caregiving responsibilities, grief, and uncertainty. Together, they unpack why traditional healthcare systems often struggle to address the emotional, relational, practical, and existential realities of serious illness—and how Mettle Health is working to fill that gap through compassionate accompaniment and human-centered care.This episode offers valuable insights for healthcare leaders, hospice professionals, nonprofit executives, caregivers, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of what it means to truly support people through life’s most difficult transitions.🔹 In this episode:• What inspired the creation of Mettle Health• Understanding the “missing middle” in healthcare• Why caregivers need support in their own right• The limitations of traditional healthcare and reimbursement models• The role of accompaniment versus treatment• Building resilience and coping skills during serious illness• The evolution of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary careWhether you’re leading a healthcare organization, caring for a loved one, or simply interested in improving the human experience of healthcare, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.🎧 Don’t miss Part Two, where the discussion continues with deeper insights into caregiving, grief, communication, and the future of compassionate care.Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, purpose, healthcare innovation, and human flourishing.Guest:Sonya Dolan Co-Founder, Mettle Health Bridget Sumser, LCSW; Director of Counseling and Programs, Mettle HealthHost:Chris Comeaux, President | CEO of TELEIOS and author of The Anatomy of LeadershipTeleios Collaborative Network   /   https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

Can consumers really trust hospice quality ratings?In Part Two of this powerful TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership conversation, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner continue their discussion with nationally recognized hospice researcher and policy expert Dr. Joan Teno.Building on Part One, Dr. Teno explores how patients and families can make better-informed hospice decisions, why current quality reporting systems often fall short, and how artificial intelligence could transform the future of hospice quality measurement. She also addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing the industry today: preserving public trust while combating fraud, profiteering, and unethical practices.Drawing from decades of research and policy leadership, Dr. Teno offers a thoughtful perspective on the future of hospice care, the importance of transparency, and the critical role healthcare leaders must play in protecting the integrity of the hospice mission.Whether you’re a hospice professional, healthcare executive, policymaker, clinician, or family caregiver, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of end-of-life care.Key Takeaways:✔ Why consumers need better tools to evaluate hospice quality✔ How AI could improve hospice transparency and decision-making✔ The risks of oversupply, profiteering, and declining public trust✔ Why quality data should empower both providers and families✔ The extraordinary impact hospice clinicians continue to make every day✔ The future of hospice care, accountability, and patient choiceChapters:0:00    Welcome And Part Two Setup0:21    A Better Way To Find Hospice3:06    Weighting Scores Without Punishing Small Programs6:01    The Denominator Problem Behind Star Ratings10:58  Rural Hospice Reality And The Willie Sutton Rule12:08  AI Can Hallucinate Hospice Quality16:47  Public Trust And A Saturated Hospice Market23:36  Ghost Hospices And Which Data To Trust26:04  Do CAHPS Questions Still Fit Hospice Today27:44  Concurrent Care And Why Hospice Stays A Hard Choice33:40  Giving Back Through Mentoring And Substack35:57  Subscribe And The Brain BookmarkGuest: Dr. Joan TenoMD, MS; Adjunct Professor of Health Services, Policy, and Practice (Brown School of Public Health); Adjunct Staff, RAND CorporationCo-Host: Cordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice AnalyticsHost: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS, author of The Anatomy of LeadershipTeleios Collaborative Network   /   https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

Are hospice quality ratings really measuring what matters most?In this powerful episode of TCNtalks / Anatomy of Leadership, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner sit down with nationally recognized hospice researcher Dr. Joan Teno to uncover the hidden problems behind hospice ratings, quality scores, and public reporting systems.Drawing on more than 30 years of experience shaping hospice and palliative care policy, Dr. Teno explains why many publicly reported quality measures may fail to capture the true experiences of patients and families. She discusses the challenges of transparency, the unintended consequences of current reporting systems, concerns about fraud and oversight, and how artificial intelligence could help transform the future of hospice quality measurement.Whether you’re a healthcare executive, hospice leader, clinician, policymaker, or nonprofit professional, this conversation offers valuable insights into the complex realities behind quality scores and what must change to better serve patients and families at the end of life.In this episode, you’ll learn:✔ Why hospice ratings may not tell the full story✔ The biggest blind spots in today’s quality measurement systems✔ How some providers avoid meaningful public reporting✔ The role of AI and data analytics in improving oversight✔ What meaningful transparency should look like for consumersChapters:0:00     Leadership Sets The Tone0:22.    Monthly Hospice News And Framework3:38.    Why Oversight Beats Payment Redesign8:28.    Transparency Limits And Small Hospice Loopholes13:10.  Blind Spots In Quality Reporting18:56   Using AI To Pick A Hospice23:45.  Moratorium And Rebuilding Trust27:30   Clinicians Needed To Catch What Models Miss29:18   Part Two TeaserGuest: Dr. Joan TenoAdjunct Professor, Brown School of Public Health | Hospice & Palliative Care Researcher | 2023 AAHPM Lifetime Achievement Award RecipientHost: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS and author of The Anatomy of LeadershipC0-Host: Cordt Kassner, 👉 Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, healthcare innovation, hospice care, and mission-driven organizations.Teleios Collaborative Network   /   https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast