Future-Proofing Care: The Challenges We Face in Hospice and Palliative Care | Part One

In this special reverse-role episode, Chris Comeaux steps into the guest seat as Cordt Kassner leads a deep dive into one of the most comprehensive strategic frameworks developed for hospice and palliative care organizations which was developed by TCN and it’s members.

In Part One of this forward-looking series, Chris unpacks the foundational challenges shaping the future of hospice and palliative care.  Drawing from nearly a decade of strategic research and collaboration with healthcare leaders, he introduces a powerful framework built around eight core challenges that every organization must navigate.  From intensifying competition to shifting reimbursement models, this conversation equips leaders with a clearer lens to anticipate disruption and respond with intention.

What emerges is not just a list of problems—but a strategic roadmap.  Chris explores how “hypercompetition” is reshaping referral patterns, how financial pressures demand organizational agility, and why workforce shortages require a complete rethinking of care delivery.  Throughout the episode, the emphasis remains on proactive leadership: understanding the forces at play, asking better questions, and positioning organizations to thrive—not just survive—in a rapidly evolving landscape.

More importantly, this episode doesn’t stop at identifying problems.  It introduces a practical, memorable leadership framework and prescription—Grow, No, Flow, Sow, R&D—designed to help organizations move from overwhelm to strategic action.

Ultimately, this episode serves as a call for healthcare leaders, nonprofit executives, and hospice professionals to rethink traditional models.  By embracing innovation, diversifying services, and aligning care with what patients truly want, organizations can future-proof their mission and remain deeply relevant in the years ahead.

This conversation is both a strategic roadmap and a mindset shift, equipping leaders, boards, and teams to navigate uncertainty with clarity, resilience, and purpose.

Key Takeaways

• The future of hospice and palliative care is shaped by eight major challenges, including competition, reimbursement, workforce, and demographic shifts.
• Hypercompetition is accelerating, including both direct competitors and “substitution” models that can divert referrals.
• Reimbursement pressures are expected to tighten, requiring organizations to become more efficient while exploring new revenue models.
• Workforce shortages are a structural reality, demanding an “outside-in” approach that aligns staffing with evolving patient needs.
• Long-term success depends on organizational ambidexterity—the ability to optimize current operations while innovating new care models simultaneously.

Show Transcript

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