Maxwell TEC is a proud sponsor of Last Visit First with Tom Maxwell, a podcast bringing leaders, innovators, and caregivers together to talk honestly about the choices shaping the future of home health and hospice.
The role of the Hospice Medical Director is changing. For years, the industry relied on contracted physicians primarily for administrative oversight—but with new regulations like the HOPE assessment and rising acuity in patients, the "paperwork doctor" model is no longer enough.
In this episode, Tom sits down with two of the most respected clinical leaders in the country: Dr. Andrew Mayo (Chief Medical Officer, St. Croix Hospice) and Dr. Tiffany Richter (Chief Medical Officer, Agape Care Group).
They break down the debate between full-time vs. contracted physicians, the "hybrid" model that is winning, and the heartbreaking regulatory gaps preventing dialysis patients from accessing hospice care. Plus, they share deeply personal stories that remind us why we do this work.
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The HOPE tool is more than a compliance requirement—it’s a catalyst for elevating how hospice care is understood, delivered, and improved. By aligning measurement with meaning, HOPE empowers providers to offer more responsive, compassionate, and data-informed care.
Discover more about how this change marks the move from static, task-driven reporting to a more dynamic, outcome-focused understanding of the hospice experience:
Understanding & Navigating Care with the HOPE Tool for Hospice
The hospice industry is undergoing one of its most meaningful quality-reporting shifts in years. As of October 1, 2025, the Hospice Outcomes & Patient Evaluation (HOPE) tool replaces the long-standing Hospice Item Set (HIS). This change marks the move from static, task-driven reporting to a more dynamic, outcome-focused understanding of the hospice experience.
The HOPE assessment tool offers a new chapter in how hospice patients' needs are evaluated, communicated, and supported. HOPE aligns quality measurement with what truly matters in hospice care: comfort, responsiveness, dignity, and compassionate guidance throughout the end-of-life journey.
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