Coastal Hospice Celebrates 25 Years With SU Lecture

SALISBURY, MD---When Coastal Hospice was founded in 1980, Medicare contained no provision for hospice care. As part of Coastal Hospice’s 25th anniversary, Thomas F. Hoyer, former director of the Center for Medicare Management at Centers for Medicare and Medicade Services (CMS) in Washington, D.C., speaks on how recognition by Medicare in 1981 helped make hospice what it is today. Hoyer’s talk is 7 p.m. Thursday, April 26, in the Great Hall of Holloway Hall at Salisbury University. According to Marion Kennan, president of Coastal Hospice, “Medicare certification allowed us to bill for some of our professional services such as nursing, aide services and rehabilitation therapy. However, there was no governmental recognition of the holistic care provided by an interdisciplinary team of professionals to serve the patient as well as the family until the Medicare Hospice Benefit was enacted.” Hoyer helped draft regulations for the Medicare Hospice Benefit, working for the CMS from 1972-2002. His has experience in nearly all Medicare and Medicade policy areas, including health and safety, coverage, and the development of many of today’s prospective payment systems. Co-sponsored by SU’s Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement, his talk is free and the public is invited. For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.