My mom is 76 and has stage four cancer. She is in rehab and is not eating so now they are telling me insurance won't pay. Any suggestions?

POA does not mean you r responsible for bills. Mom is in rehab for just that rehab. Medicare will not pay if she is not improving. You need to talk to a Social Worker about moving her to LTC nursing. Hopefully there is one attached to the rehab. If Mom has money you can private pay. Ask her to be evaluated for hospice. This way some of her care will be picked up by Medicare. If she has no money ask the SW to help u file for Medicaid. Otherwise u will have to bring her home under hospice care. With this though, someone has to be there 24/7.

Thanks Guestshopadmin. I didn't know that.

Pobird, please understand that you are not expected to pay for the nursing home (nor should you.) If you choose to keep her there, ask about Medicaid pending status per Barb's note above). Alternatively, you can bring her home and arrange for hospice , which (Carla) is typically done in a home setting except for VERY brief periods of time.
Pobird, there may be different hospice providers in your region. If so, call a few to see what services they offer. Most will send an aide for two hours a day, 5 days a week. They will arrange for a hospital bed, comfort drugs, spiritual care and nurses visits. The one I had for my Mom did have a small inpatient facility in the area. When my Mom was down to her final days, they checked on availability and offered to move her there if we wanted to move her from the assisted living facility. We accepted the offer as the room was much nicer and bigger and more comfortable for visitors. Also the nursing care was superb. Not eating may be a sign that her organs are shutting down. Hope this helps.

Medicare does not pay room and board for hospice. They pay meds, doctor, equipment. But the room charge is Medicaid or private pay.

Are they suggesting she be moved to hospice? I'm assuming Medicare will pay for that. Readers, please correct me if I'm wrong.

The easiest thing, it seems to me, is to ask the social worker at the rehab to help in applying for Medicaid for your mom. Ask if she can remain there as a long term care patient with Medicaid pending status.