Where do I find a GI facility PLUS SPEECH for post brain injury in Illinois?

Question

80 year old woman post stroke looking for swallow studies plus speech to get rid of G tube.

She has been turned down due to age; examined by doctor at Froedert (unsatisfactory to me)

fees not a factor here

Answer 1

A patient's age should have no bearing on candidacy for a swallowing study. That's ageism at its finest. Also, under US Medicare guidelines (regardless whether or not a patient has an HMO), a doctor cannot legally deny a family request for a service.

You don't mention what type of doctor turned her down. I assume he's an internist, GP, or family practitioner.

Take her back to the neurologist, GI doc who placed the feeding tube, or a pulmonologist. All three of these types of specialists have much more knowledge about swallowing disorders than primary care practitioners.

You should be able to get an order for a video swallowing test conducted by a speech pathologist who is on staff at the hospital where the study is to take place. Any hospital with a fluoroscope and a speech pathologist on staff will do.

If the study shows your mom has any rehab potential, the speech pathologist will recommend, and perform, the therapy.

While you're at it, find a primary care doctor who won't deny your mom services. If she had broken a hip, would he have denied her physical therapy because of her age? I seriously hope not!