--- title: Dr. Joan Teno Exposes the Hidden Problems with Hospice Ratings and Quality Scores | Part One description: What if the hospice ratings patients and families rely on don’t tell the full story?   In Part One of this thought-provoking conversation, renowned hospice researcher and policy expert Dr. Joan Teno joins Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner to unpack the hidden flaws within today’s hospice quality measurement systems. --- [TCNTalks ](https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast) # [Dr. Joan Teno Exposes the Hidden Problems with Hospice Ratings and Quality Scores | Part One](https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/dr.-joan-teno-exposes-the-hidden-problems-with-hospice-ratings-and-quality-scores-part-one) Written by [Chris Comeaux](https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/author/chris-comeaux) | 6/3/26 12:56 PM What if the hospice ratings patients and families rely on don’t tell the full story?   In Part One of this thought-provoking conversation, renowned hospice researcher and policy expert Dr. Joan Teno joins Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner to unpack the hidden flaws within today’s hospice quality measurement 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.   The discussion also explores the growing need for data-driven oversight, greater transparency, and smarter use of technology to identify patterns of poor performance, gaming, and fraud.  Dr. Teno challenges industry assumptions about what quality measurement should accomplish and shares her vision for a future where consumers have access to meaningful, actionable information when choosing hospice care.   From concerns about fragmented provider structures to the promise of AI-powered analytics, this episode offers healthcare leaders and hospice professionals a compelling look at the future of accountability and quality in end-of-life care. 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 consumers   [**HPC Today Top News Stories - May 2026**](https://www.teleioscn.org/hubfs/Teleios%20Collaborative%20Network/Documents/HPC%20Today%20Top%20News%20Stories%202026.05%20Cordt.pdf) [Teleios Monthly Podcast Articles May 2026 Newsletter](https://www.teleioscn.org/hubfs/Teleios%20Collaborative%20Network/Documents/Publicly%20Available%20Teleios%20Monthly%20Podcast%20Articles%20May%202026%20Newsletter.pdf)   [Show Transcript](https://www.teleioscn.org/hubfs/Teleios%20Collaborative%20Network/Documents/Transcript-%20%20Dr.%20Joan%20Teno%20Exposes%20the%20Hidden%20Problems%20with%20Hospice%20Ratings%20and%20Quality%20Scores%20%7C%20Part%20One.pdf)         Featured Guest ## Dr. Joan Teno  MD, MS; Adjunct Professor of Health Services, Policy, and Practice (Brown School of Public Health); Adjunct Staff, RAND Corporation [Biography](https://www.teleioscn.org/hubfs/Teleios%20Collaborative%20Network/Documents/Dr.%20Joan%20Teno%20bio.pdf) [**joanteno.substack.com**](https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fjoanteno.substack.com%2F%3Futm_campaign%3Dprofile_chips&data=05%7C02%7Cccomeaux%40teleioscn.org%7C326d35a457564588f99308debc1f02d7%7Cd63fe25b1ccf46e4b82cd265e602d976%7C0%7C0%7C639155038553195590%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=iSJhWH4yi%2FfNKKAk8L0QllLcVqaEpX8okul82RhgFaY%3D&reserved=0) [**Joan Teno - SOS Hospice- STATs            **](https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fjoanteno.substack.com%2F%3Futm_campaign%3Dprofile_chips&data=05%7C02%7Cccomeaux%40teleioscn.org%7C326d35a457564588f99308debc1f02d7%7Cd63fe25b1ccf46e4b82cd265e602d976%7C0%7C0%7C639155038553184129%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=xokDU2OcPcCbyay2ulUJRw9K9XNl7lPIqLOlmV1c3Ys%3D&reserved=0)       Co-Host ## Cordt Kassner  PhD, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today & CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics  [**Contact **](mailto:ckassner@hospiceanalytics.com) **[Biography](https://www.teleioscn.org/hubfs/Teleios%20Collaborative%20Network/Documents/Cordt%20T%20Kassner%20bio.pdf)** [Hospice and Palliative Care Today](https://www.hospicepalliativecaretoday.com/) **Subscribe for free** [www.hospicepalliativecaretoday.com](https://www.hospicepalliativecaretoday.com/)     Our Host   ## Chris Comeaux MLAS, CPA President / CEO of Teleios [Request More Information](mailto:ccomeaux@teleioscn.org) Order Book On Amazon** ** [The Anatomy Of Leadership](https://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Leadership-What-Do-Leaders/dp/B0CP1H4Q9Z/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13TCTTE4MERHU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.k8JMNI42KjHquGeyhSi2yVsqgt34wii5hGbTnBxh7y_GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.lb1wV3NFqwfao2camDL9e5NU93vuV9f3YVbZrNXuARs&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+anatomy+of+leadership+by+chris+comeaux&qid=1723572559&sprefix=The+Anatomy+Of+Leadership%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-1)               [View full post](https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/dr.-joan-teno-exposes-the-hidden-problems-with-hospice-ratings-and-quality-scores-part-one) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Chris Comeaux" }, "dateModified" : "2026-06-05T16:50:25.654Z", "datePublished" : "2026-06-03T12:56:11Z", "headline" : "Dr. Joan Teno Exposes the Hidden Problems with Hospice Ratings and Quality Scores | Part One", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 1700, "url" : "https://4731444.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4731444/Dr.%20Joan%20Teno%20Exposes%20the%20Hidden%20Problems%20with%20Hospice%20Ratings%20and%20Quality%20Scores%20-%20Blog%20Thumbnail%20Part%20One.jpeg", "width" : 2550 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/dr.-joan-teno-exposes-the-hidden-problems-with-hospice-ratings-and-quality-scores-part-one", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 60, "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png", "width" : 60 }, "name" : "Podcasts" } } ```