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WTC Assistance Programs

WTC Assistance Programs. Theresa Gorman, MPH Health and Safety Assistant IAFF Department of Occupational Health and Safety September 2013. Today ’ s Presentation. Recent 9/11 legislation Resources for 9/11 responders: World Trade Center Health Program 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund

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WTC Assistance Programs

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  1. WTC Assistance Programs Theresa Gorman, MPH Health and Safety Assistant IAFF Department of Occupational Health and Safety September 2013

  2. Today’s Presentation • Recent 9/11 legislation • Resources for 9/11 responders: • World Trade Center Health Program • 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund • IAFF outreach efforts

  3. James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 Signed into law in January 2011, allocating federal funds to provide health care and financial aid for workers and residents affected by 9/11: • Reopened the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund • Established the WTC Health Program • Established a list of health conditions to be covered by the WTC Health Program • Created a process that allows this list to be updated based on emerging scientific evidence

  4. Programs for 9/11 Responders Two different programs with different enrollment applications: • WTC Health Program • Administered by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) • Provides responders with free medical monitoring exams and treatment for 9/11-related health conditions • 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund • Administered by the Department of Justice • Provides financial compensation for sick or injured responders or family of deceased responders

  5. The WTC Health Program The WTC Health Program replaces the Mt. Sinai WTC Medical Monitoring program • If you were enrolled in the WTC Medical Monitoring program, you are automatically enrolled in the WTC Health Program • No re-enrollment is necessary You can enroll in the program even if you do not live in the NYC area • You do not need to travel to NYC to see a doctor or to enroll in the program • Through the Nationwide Provider Network, you can visit a clinic close to where you live

  6. The WTC Health Program How does the Nationwide Provider Network work? • Provides referrals to physicians and specialists for monitoring and treatment • Each responder is assigned a nurse case manager to identify the responder’s health care needs and locate an appropriate provider near your home • Three part process: medical history questionnaire, diagnostic testing, and clinical evaluation

  7. The WTC Health Program What are the benefits of enrolling? • Provides responders with free annual health screenings that evaluate physical and mental health status • Provides free medical care for conditions certified to be caused, contributed to, and/or aggravated by 9/11 • Medical tests • Doctor visits • Surgery • Prescription drugs

  8. Health Conditions Covered by the Program Airways and Digestive Disorders: • Asthma • Chronic cough • Chronic laryngitis • Chronic nasopharyngitis • Chronic rhinosinusitis • Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) • Interstitial lung disease (scarring of the lungs) • Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS) • Upper airway hyperreactivity • Sleep apnea exacerbated by or related to above conditions

  9. Health Conditions Covered by the Program Mental health conditions: • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) • Depression • Panic disorder • Anxiety • Substance abuse

  10. Cancers Covered by the Program • Effective October 2012, cancer was added to the list of health conditions covered by the WTC Health Program based on new research • Many, but not all, cancers are covered • A Program physician and Program Administrator must certify that the cancer resulted from exposure related to 9/11 work based on the patient’s medical history • Once certified, the Program will pay for approved cancer treatment, drugs, and services

  11. Cancers Covered by the Program • Lip, tongue, gum, tonsil or other oral cavity • Nose, nasal cavities, middle ear • Larynx • Esophagus • Stomach • Colon and rectum • Liver and bile duct • Trachea, bronchus, other respiratory organs • Soft tissues (sarcomas) • Retroperitoneum, peritoneum and omentum • Lung • Breast • Ovary • Skin, including scrotal cancer • Urinary bladder • Kidney • Ureter and urinary organs • Thyroid • Blood and lymphoid tissues • Mesothelioma • Eye

  12. Eligibility Requirements Who is eligible? • Fire fighters who worked at the WTC, Pentagon, or Shanksville PA crash sites • FEMA response teams and other federal responders • Behavioral health response teams

  13. Eligibility Requirements WTC Responders: Worked at least one day from September 11, 2001 through July 31, 2002 at one of the following locations: • Lower Manhattan (south of Canal Street) • WTC Site (“Ground Zero”) • Staten Island landfill • Barge loading piers

  14. Eligibility Requirements Pentagon Responders: Worked for at least one day from September 11, 2001 through November 19, 2001 at one of the following locations: • Pentagon office building • Federal Building No. 2 • Pentagon heating and sewage plants • Pentagon parking areas • Fort Belvoir, VA • Dover Port Mortuary at Dover Air Force Base, DE

  15. Eligibility Requirements Shanksville Responders: Worked for at least one day from September 11, 2001 through October 3, 2001 at one of the following locations: • Crash site in Stonycreek Township PA bounded by Route 30 (Lincoln Highway), State Route 1019 (Buckstown Road), and State Route 1007 (Lambertsville Road) • Pennsylvania National Guard Armory in Friedens, PA

  16. Enrolling in Program Benefits You and Other Emergency Responders You can enroll in the program even if you currently don’t have any health problems • The medical screening may detect health conditions that you are not aware of • Measuring your health status over time can help your doctor identify any concerning trends • Information that is learned by screening healthy 9/11 workers will help protect disaster workers and responders

  17. How to Enroll in the WTC Health Program • Fill out the correct application • NYC responder • Pentagon/Shanksville responder • FDNY responder • You must provide documentation showing the dates and number of hours worked at a 9/11 site: • Pay stubs, command logs, letters from employer or coworker, photos, ID cards, department communications, etc. • You can download the applications at: www.cdc.gov/wtc

  18. 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Provides financial compensation for physical injuries or illnesses specified by the Zadroga Act Eligibility: • Worked at any 9/11 crash site during the period between September 11, 2001 and May 30, 2002 • Sustained a physical injury or diagnosed with an illness as a direct result of work at any 9/11 crash site • VCF does not cover mental health illnesses

  19. 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Filing a claim involves two steps: • Register with the VCF – fill out a registration form online • File a claim – file all appropriate eligibility and claim forms with the VCF by close of fund on October 3, 2016

  20. 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund VCF registration preserves your right to file a claim in the future. Registration is easy: • Apply online at vcf.gov • Create an account with a username and password • You will be assigned a claim number • Fill out a questionnaire about: • Your 9/11 work and exposures • Any prior claim with the original VCF • 9/11 related illness or injuries

  21. 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund • Once registration is complete, you have until October 3, 2016 (date of VCF closure) to file a claim • The VCF calculates awards on a case by case basis involving three factors: • Economic loss (lost wages, doctor’s bills, etc.) • Non-economic loss (emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, etc.) • Collateral source payments (PSOB benefits, settlement payments from other 9/11 lawsuits, etc.)

  22. 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Contact the Victim Compensation Fund at www.vcf.gov 1-855-885-1558

  23. IAFF WTC Outreach Project One website for all 9/11-related health questions: wtc.iaff.org

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