What are feeding tubes?
Tube feedings are used to provide nutrition and medication for individuals who are unable to swallow or who are having difficulty taking food and medication by mouth. There are four kinds of feeding tubes: naso-gastric tubes (NG tubes), which are inserted into the nose and down to the stomach; gastric tubes (G-tubes), which are inserted through the skin of the abdomen and into the stomach; jejunostomy tubes (J-tubes), which are surgically placed through the abdominal wall into the part of the small intestine called the jejunum; and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes (PEG tubes), which are special G-tubes placed via an endoscopic procedure. What is hospice care? Hospice care is end of life care which focuses on the relief of symptoms (palliative care) and provides emotional and social support for the dying person and for those who care for the dying person (caregivers). If I elect the Medicare hospice benefit, will I be prohibited from using a feeding tube? The Medicare statute a
