# How I Stopped Fearing the Payer Mix and Scaled Referral Volume — Steven Gonzalez

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/home-care-hindsight-7020721/how-i-stopped-fearing-the-payer-mix-and-scaled-referral-volume-steven-gonzalez
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/home-care-hindsight-7020721/how-i-stopped-fearing-the-payer-mix-and-scaled-referral-volume-steven-gonzalez.md
Podcast: [Home Care Hindsight](https://stenobird.com/podcast/home-care-hindsight-7020721)
Published: 2026-04-15T12:43:03+00:00
Episode link: https://9f9165e2-f6a0-4fa0-9333-b5a984a4b130.libsyn.com/how-i-stopped-fearing-the-payer-mix-and-scaled-referral-volume-steven-gonzalez
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/9f9165e2-f6a0-4fa0-9333-b5a984a4b130/HCH_Steven_Gonzalez_re-release.mp3?dest-id=4694632
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/home-care-hindsight-7020721/episodes/how-i-stopped-fearing-the-payer-mix-and-scaled-referral-volume-steven-gonzalez
Duration seconds: 2388

## Resource

Steven Gonzalez, CEO of HealthView Home Health and Hospice, joins David Knack to demystify the complex world of home health and how it intersects with home care. Steven shares how he overcame the "referral problem" by realizing it was actually a payer mix and contract challenge. With a focus on patient-centered care that has earned his agency a top-25 national ranking on Fortune's Best Small Workplaces, Steven explains the clinical nuances—from wound care to physical therapy—that make home health a vital partner for non-medical home care agencies. The conversation explores the "Home Health 101" framework, detailing how agencies can better communicate to ensure patients get the right care at the right time. Steven also discusses the future of the industry, including how technology and AI are freeing up clinicians to focus on "the human stuff" that truly drives outcomes. Lesson Takeaways: 1. Master Your Payer Mix: Success in home health isn't about the number of referrals; it's about understanding contracts and reimbursement rates to ensure sustainable growth. 2. Home Care is the Eyes and Ears: Non-medical home care providers are essential partners who spot clinical declines early, allowing home health to intervene before a hospital readmission occurs. 3. Differentiate Through Specialized Clinical Care: Offering specific services like advanced wound care or high-intensity therapy sets an agency apart from competitors who only handle basic cases. 4. Focus on the "Human Stuff": Use technology to automate administrative "chores" so your team can spend more time building genuine, dignified connections with patients and families. 5. Quality Ratings Drive Referrals: Maintaining high star ratings and Great Place to Work certification creates a trust badge that hospital discharg…

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