Delaware Hospice is cutting over two-dozen people from its 400 person staff.
Delaware Hospice CEO Susan Lloyd says 52 positions across its operations in both Delaware and Pennsylvania have been eliminated.
40 percent of those cuts are at the non-profit healthcare provider’s Kent and Sussex County facilities
Lloyd says the decision was not made lightly, but is necessary because of changes in Medicare reimbursement.
“We have had some pretty distinct changes in the way that the regulations governing hospice care have been interpreted and as a result of that we’ve had quite a change in the number of claims being paid on the Medicare program," said Lloyd. "As a result of that unfortunately we had to take action to eliminate some positions and reorganize.”
And Lloyd emphasizes Delaware Hospice remains committed to providing the same level of service it did before the job cuts, including its palliative care service.
“We haven’t cut any of our programs or services whatsoever. We’ve just had to reorganize. So, at this point, we are ready and able to provide the services and care that we have traditionally been known for in the community,” said Lloyd.
Lloyd adds the cuts also allow Delaware Hospice to go forward with plans to build a new 24-bed New Castle County facility in Pike Creek.
