Cloisters of Mission Hills Now called Shea Family Care of Mission Hills Elder abuse, Medicare fraud, nursing home fraud San Diego California

My 66 year old sister, receiving Medicare benefits, who had been diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer, was made to pay $6800.00 cash up front upon checking into this facility back in October 2010. She had to get a home equity loan to do this. I did have the legal authority over her finances and medical care, but was living in Phoenix AZ when she checked in, and she didn't phone me until after she was there, nor did she tell me of the incident. I didn't even find out about the $6800.00 charge until I acquired access to her checking account about 3 weeks later. Upon calling the facility, the administration skirted around my inquires about the charge and about her having Medicare coverage. While there she acquired a pressure ulcer and the facility didn't phone me until after I was en route to San Diego to visit her to let me know. Over the next month I wasn't around for the day to day operations, having to return to Phoenix, but she was extremely unhappy and told me so many times over the phone. She passed away from the cancer on Dec. 5, 2010, only 7 weeks later. I wrote letters complaining to U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (have copies of all correspondence) whose office contacted Medicare who in turn essentially dismissed my complaint like all was well. I also complained to SHIP, a CA state advocacy, but nothing came of it. My sister had been diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer, a cancer that notoriously kills quickly, and Mission Hills had the gall to actually make her pay $6800.00 cash, up front and before any services were rendered, for her to have a bed. After a month she was transferred to San Diego Hospice and Palliative Care (since forced to close for Medicare fraud allegations) where she passed away Dec. 5th, 2010. With her diagnosis she should have been checked into the hospice immediately and Medicare billed for her stay and all services. I believe Mission Hills took advantage of my sister's condition and wrongly ripped her off for $6800.00 in cash (and another $450.00 I paid after they sent me a bill.) This entire incident was greedy, selfish, and displayed complete disregard for my sister's well-being.