Transforming Healthcare: A Conversation with Rita E. Numerof

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 & Associates, returns to TCNtalks with a powerful analysis of the healthcare industry's trajectory and a bold vision for transformative change.  As an "equal opportunity critic" with over 30 years of experience spanning the entire healthcare ecosystem, Numerof offers a uniquely comprehensive perspective on why our current system is failing and what must change.Host Chris Comeaux and Rita explore the pressing issues facing the healthcare industry and the train wreck they foresee in 2026 and 2027, but this may be the opportunity to finally fix healthcare for our country.  From policy reform to consumer empowerment, with her extensive experience, Rita offers a visionary perspective on how to reform healthcare, despite its complexities, and to truly create meaningful change.Guest:  Rita E. NumerofCo-founder and President of Numerof & AssociatesHost:  Chris ComeauxPresident / CEO of TeleiosTeleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

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 to the importance of research and innovation, this episode covers it all.The healthcare system stands at a critical inflection point. With Medicare facing potential bankruptcy in the 2030s and employers confronting double-digit premium increases, experts suggest that we may be approaching a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fundamentally reform healthcare by 2026-2027.Explore how the hospice field is evolving and its implications for both providers and patients.Co-host Cordt KassnerPhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice AnalyticsHostChris ComeauxPresident / CEO of TELEIOSTeleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

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-depth discussion with industry experts Annette Kiser, Chief Compliance Officer with Teleios, and Judi Lund Person, Principal, Lund Person & Associates LLC, as they sit down with Chris and explore the complexities of the final 2026 Hospice Wage Index and its impact on hospice organizations.  Discover the challenges and opportunities within the current regulatory framework and gain valuable insights into strategic actions for the future.  So join us, this is a great listen for staff, leaders, and Boards of hospice and palliative care organizations.  This is timely and relevant.  GuestAnnette KiserChief Compliance Officer with TELEIOSJudi Lund PersonPrincipal, Lund Person & Associates LLC HostChris ComeauxPresident / CEO of TELEIOSTeleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

"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, genuine connection continues to slip through our fingers.  Jenkins reveals the crucial distinction between mere communication and true connection – explaining how our brains process these experiences differently and why it matters so profoundly. The stakes couldn't be higher: lacking social connection is actually more harmful to your health than smoking twenty cigarettes daily for forty years.  In this episode of the Anatomy of Leadership, Ryan also discusses the critical importance of connection in leadership and the workplace.  He emphasizes that connection is often neglected despite being a fundamental human need. The conversation explores generational differences in experiencing loneliness, the challenges of remote work, and the innovative AI tool Rivet designed to foster connections. Jenkins shares actionable insights for leaders to cultivate meaningful relationships within their teams, highlighting the necessity of being intentional about connection in an increasingly digital world.  Guest: Ryan Jenkins, Wall Street Journal Bestselling Leadership Author and Keynote SpeakerHost: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOS and author of The Anatomy Of Leadershiphttps://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/the-future-of-work-prioritizing-human-connectionTeleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

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 point that demands both reflection and action.Join hosts Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner as they delve into the latest trends and challenges in Hospice and Palliative Care, discussing key trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the field. This episode covers a wide range of topics, including the impact of healthcare layoffs, disruptive innovations, and the importance of disaster preparedness. They also discuss the evolving landscape of Hospice Care, the role of technology, and the significance of maintaining an authentic brand in the field.  Join us.HostChris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOSCohostCordt Kassner, PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analyticshttps://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/the-path-to-the-future-may-be-the-un-obvious-top-news-stories-july-2025Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

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 vision and heart,  share their experiences in managing diverse service lines, emphasizing the importance of culture, workforce resilience, and community engagement.Rebecca and Mark discuss the challenges of balancing mission and margin while fostering innovation and collaboration. The conversation underscores the importance of strategic planning, mentorship, and understanding regulatory frameworks to navigate the healthcare landscape effectively.  Highlights:Leading through culture and communityManaging diverse service lines under pressureInnovating within regulatory constraintsThe power of mentorship and planning for long-term impact This episode is a powerful listen for anyone passionate about healthcare leadership.Guest: Rebecca Ramsay, Chief Executive Officer of Housecall Providers in Portland, Oregon Mark Jarman-Howe, Chief Executive of St Helena Hospice, based in Colchester, EnglandTeleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

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 Path Forward for Hospice and Palliative Care: A White Paper on the Potential Future of the Field. This conversation tackles the uncomfortable truth: corporatization is eroding the core values of our field.  Dr. Byock highlights the challenges posed by the corporatization of healthcare, particularly in hospice and palliative care, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining high-quality care for patients and their families.  Dr. Byock presents a strategic framework that all of us in hospice and palliative care can draw from to chart a path forward. That framework includes:Publishing clear clinical and programmatic standardsMaking meaningful data readily availableDriving quality-based competitionEmbracing the field’s authentic brand of expert care that fosters well-being for patients and their familiesThis episode is more than a discussion—it’s a wake-up call for every leader, clinician, and team member in Hospice and Palliative Care.  Listen now.  Share it with your Board.  And be part of the movement to safeguard the future of this essential work.Guest: Dr. Ira Byock, MD, FAAHPM, is a leading palliative care physician, author, and public advocate for improving care through the end of lifeHost:  Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOShttps://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/a-strategic-path-forward-for-hospice-and-palliative-care-with-dr.-ira-byockTeleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

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 gather insights systematically to craft compelling marketing strategies. The discussion also highlights the significance of storytelling in marketing and how aligning the organization's purpose with customer needs can lead to more effective marketing outcomes. Chris and Dave also discuss the importance of aligning client expectations with strategic execution, the necessity of authentic messaging, and the unique challenges faced in healthcare marketing.  The conversation concludes with actionable insights on leveraging customer voices and the power of compound messaging to drive growth.  Join us, this is a great listen.Guest: Dave Mastovich,  founder and CEO of MASSolutionsHost: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of Teleioshttps://www.teleioscn.org/anatomy-of-leadership/no-bs-marketing-with-dave-mastovichTeleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

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 deficiency.  In this episode of TCNtalks, host Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics, discuss relevant top news stories in Hospice and Palliative Care for June.They also explore technology's dual-edged potential, suggesting that AI and robotics should enhance, rather than replace, the human elements of Hospice Care.  As Daniel Pink notes, "if a robot can replace you, you should be"—allowing us to focus our irreplaceable human capacity on meaningful connection rather than routine tasks.Dr. Ira Byock's strategic framework for hospice's future emerges as perhaps the most significant development of the month, offering four concrete paths forward: establishing clear clinical standards (like appropriate caseload sizes), creating meaningful data transparency, driving quality-based competition, and embracing our authentic brand as specialists in fostering well-being through the end of life. Subscribe to TCNtalks for monthly insights.  Additionally, we explore leadership strategies for growth and the necessity of a strategic path forward in Hospice and Palliative Care, emphasizing the importance of quality and ethical practices in the field.  We respect your time while keeping you informed on what truly matters.  Join us.Guest:Cordt KassnerPhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice AnalyticsHost:Chris ComeauxPresident / CEO of TELEIOShttps://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/plans-of-care-ethics-robotics-and-more-top-news-stories-june-2025Teleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

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 driving healthcare in America.Rita offers a bold diagnosis, explaining how misaligned incentives, opaque pricing, and outdated payment systems have derailed care.  But she doesn’t stop there.  With clarity and conviction, she lays out a path forward: a market-based model that ties payment to performance, empowers consumers, and demands transparency and accountability from every player—from providers to payers to policymakers.The episode dives into:Why the current system resists change—and how to break throughThe role of technology in reshaping care deliveryHow insurance companies contribute to the dysfunctionWhat real consumer responsibility in healthcare could look likeRather than offering quick fixes, Rita champions systemic reform with optimism and urgency. 🎧 Don’t miss this thought-provoking conversation.  It’s a must-listen for anyone who cares about the future of healthcare.Guest: Rita Numerof, Co-founder and President of Numerof & AssociatesHost: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOShttps://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/redesigning-healthcare-a-path-to-value-based-careTeleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast