9/11 Families - Health Information

September 11th Health Information

Vote on the Zadroga Bill (aka 9/11 Health and Compensation 
Act H.R. 847) Will Be this Week

We received the following from our friends at 9/11 Environmental Action:

9/11 HEALTH BILL TO GET HOUSE VOTE THIS WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY!
PLEASE REACH OUT TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN OTHER STATES 
NOW; ASK THEM TO CONTACT THEIR REPRESENTATIVES IMMEDIATELY!

This week, the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (H.R. 847) reaches a major 
milestone -- there will be a VOTE by the full House of Representatives on 
either Wednesday, July 28 or Thursday, July 29.

It is critical that EVERY U.S. Representative in the country HEAR FROM THEIR 
OWN CONSTITUENTS -- the people who live in their districts -- urging them 
to VOTE YES for HR 847, the 9/11 health bill. This bill will provide federal 
funding for desperately needed medical programs that treat 9/11-related 
illnesses for tens of thousands of 9/11 survivors and first responders, 
individuals who are sick as the result of their exposures to the toxic dust 
and smoke from this attack on our nation.

We need you to reach out to any and all of your family and friends who live 
outside of New York. Ask them to please make a call on MONDAY JULY 26 
OR TUESDAY JULY 27 to urge their Representative to do the right thing 
and vote Yes when HR847 comes up on the House floor.

Since time is short, you may want to just phone your friends/family/contacts 
and to ask them to make the calls, but we also provide a “Dear Friends” l
etter below you can paste into an email, along with a brief sample message 
for your contacts to use when they call their Representative

Here is the sample "Dear Friends" Letter.

And here is a sample message to use in making calls to your Representative.

Here are INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO FIND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE:
--First, go to the House of Representatives website -- www.house.gov --
Look at the upper left hand corner of the home page, and you will see a 
"Find your Representative" search box, where you can type in your zip code 
and click "go" to get the name of your representative in the House. 

--Please note, sometimes you may need the extra 4 digits behind your zip, 
because your zip code  includes more than one House district. If so, and you 
do not know the extra 4 digits, please use this link, where you can type in 
your address and get the numbers: http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp

If you do NOT have internet access, then call the local office of the League 
of Women Voters and ask them to help you find your U.S. Representative. 

________________________________

9/11 ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and all 
contributions are tax deductible in accordance with IRS regulations.

A community-based organization of residents, parents and occupational safety, 
public and environmental health advocates, formed in April 2002 to end the 
federal Environmental Protection Agency cover-up, 9/11 EA fights for a  
comprehensive clean-up, and demands medical monitoring and health care 
for everyone harmed by WTC contamination.

The World Trade Center (WTC) Disability Law

In June 2005 Governor Pataki signed into law the World Trade Center 
(WTC) Disability Law that provides a disability benefit to those who 
become disabled because of their participation in the WTC Rescue, 
Recovery or Clean-Up Operations between September 11, 2001 and 
September 12, 2002.

We believe that the greatest impact of this legislation will be to those 
who are members of NYCERS, Police or Fire, and so these three NYC 
RetirementSystems have joined together in order to explain what you 
need to know. Any active member, vestee or pensioner (who vested or 
retired AFTER 9-11-01) who participated in the WTC Rescue, Recovery 
or Clean-Up Operations between September 11, 2001 and 
September 12, 2002 may be eligible if he/she meets the criteria below and 
files a Notice of Participation in the WTC Rescue, Recovery and Clean-Up 
Operations by June 13, 2007.

The Notice of Participation is simply to inform us that you participated in 
the WTC Rescue, Recovery or Clean-Up Operations between 
September 11, 2001 and September 12, 2002. This is NOT a disability 
application.  Once you file the Notice of Participation form, your Retirement 
System will reach out to your agency to get any additional information 
needed. If you are deemed qualified to file for disability under this law you 
will then have to file a disability application with your Retirement System.

You must have successfully passed a physical examination for entry into 
public service, and Participated in the WTC Rescue, Recovery or Clean-Up 
Operations in one of the following places between September 11, 2001 and 
September 12, 2002: World Trade Center Site, Fresh Kills Land Fill, New York 
City Morgue or the temporary morgue on pier locations on the West Side of 
Manhattan, the barges between the West Side of Manhattan and the Fresh 
Kills Land Fill, and participatedin the WTC Rescue, Recovery or Clean-Up 
Operations between September 11, 2001 and September 12, 2002 for a 
minimum of 40 hours; or, if the minimum of 40 hours was not met, you 
sustained a documented physical injury at the WTC Site between 9/11/01 
and 9/12/01 which prevented you from working the minimum number of 
hours, and become disabled by a qualifying condition or impairment of 
health as defined in the law. The World Trade Center Site is considered to 
be anywhere below a line starting from the Hudson River and Canal Street; 
east on Canal Street to Pike Street; south on Pike Street to the East River; 
and extending to the lower tip of Manhattan. We encourage you to ACT 
NOW by filing a Notice of Participation with your Retirement System. Even 
if you show no signs of a health condition or impairment at this time, we 
encourage you to protect your future by filing this Notice of Participation. 
If this form is not on file with your Retirement System you WILL NOT BE 
ELIGIBLE to file for disability under the WTC Disability Law.

Filing a Notice of Participation simply tells us that you participated in the 
WTC Rescue, Recovery or Clean-Up Operations. You may never show signs 
of disability and may never need to claim disability.  But in the event you do, 
you must have this form on file. Think of filing this form as insurance-you 
may never need to use it, but in the event you do you'll be happy to have 
it! If you develop a disability as a result of your participation in the WTC 
Rescue, Recovery and Clean-Up Operations you will then have to take the 
steps needed to file for disability with your Retirement System.       
Download the WTC Disability Law Benefits and Form Sheets for NYCERS
Members, Police & Fire

Download NYCERS World Trade Center (WTC) Disability Law Fact Sheet

The World Trade Center Environmental Health Center

You can come for treatment if you: Lived in Lower Manhattan or areas of 
Brooklyn                   
- Were a student in a school in the area                   
- Worked in or around area offices, stores, schools, or apartment buildings                   
- Helped in the clean-up of building in the affected area. For more 
  information or to make an appointment, call us toll-free at 877-WTC-0107 
  (877-982-0107).                                      


New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation nyc.gov/hhc              
Bellevue Hospital Center                  
462 First Avenue (27th Street)                 
New York, NY 10016                                 

Gouverneur Healthcare Services                 
227 Madison Street (Clinton Street)                 
New York, NY 10002          
                          
Elmhurst Hospital Center                  
79-01 Broadway (79th Street)                 
Elmhurst NY 11373                

Download the WTC Environmental Health Brochure in English
Download the WTC Environmental Health Brochure in Spanish
Download the WTC Environmental Health Brochure in Chinese
Download the WTC Environmental Health Brochure in Polish

WTC Environmental Health   Center

Pediatric Services, Bellvue Hospital   Center 
462 First Avenue (27th Street)
New York, NY 10016

Do you think your child may have the medical or mental health issues  
related to the events of 9/11?  The WTC Environmental Health Center 
can help.

We Provide:         
- Comprehensive  assessment of 9/11-related problems.
- Treatment for 9/11-related medical and mental health issues.
- Support for children, teenagers and families affected by the events 
   of 9/11.
- Services provided at no out-of-pocket expense to you.

For more information, call us toll-free at 877-WTC-0107  (877-982-0107). 
New York City  Health and Hospitals Corporation  
nyc.gov/hhc
Download the WTC HHC Pediatrics Cards

NYC Department of Mental Health & Hygenie                              
Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH, Commissioner                            
NYC Department of Mental Health and Hygenie: Benefits for New Yorkers
Struggling with Mental Health & Substance Abuse Problems Related to 9-11

FACT SHEET:                         
9/11 Benefit Program for Mental Health and Substance  


New York City’s  New Program Provides Coverage for Those Who Need Help    

The New York City Health Department is offering an insurance-like benefit                        
to help cover mental health and  substance-usetreatment for NYC residents                        
still affected by the terrorist events of September 11, 2001.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

If you’re still suffering psychological symptoms related to the events of                  
9/11, you may qualify for coverage under the NYC 9/11 Benefit Program.                  
To find out, call 311 or visit: http://www.nyc.gov/9-11mentalhealth.                                    
A benefit coordinator will work with you to establish whether you are                  
eligible and explain the process for submitting claims.

If you are found eligible, you will receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket                  
costs, up to the maximum amount allowed under the NYC 9/11 Benefit                   
Program fee schedule for mental health or substance-use treatment.

If you have insurance, you must first apply your insurance benefit toward                  
the cost of treatment. The NYC 9/11 Benefit Program will reimburse for                  
the remaining out-of-pocket costs.

If you don’t have insurance, you can receive reimbursement for the fees                  
you pay to providers, up to the maximum amount allowed under the NYC                  
9/11 Benefit Program’s fee schedule.

The Benefit Program will directly reimburse providers if they file claims for                            
services they provide to eligible patients. If a provider’s fee exceeds the                            
reimbursable amount for a given service, the patient will be responsible                            
for the balance.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Two groups of NYC residents are eligible for the program.

Group A includes individuals or family members of those who:

• Lost a family member, were seriously injured, or lived below Canal Street

• Worked in the WTC area or at the Pentagon – whether or not they were                  
  at work that day. Or were evacuated from the WTC area or the Pentagon

• Attended a school near the WTC, or are the parent of a child who                           
  attended nearby

• Were a rescue, recovery, or reconstruction worker assigned to a                  
  “restricted site”

• Were an emergency dispatcher on 9/11 or worked in the morgues                            
   serving the attacks sites

• Worked south of Canal Street or at Ronald Reagan Airport, and before                            
  January 11, 2002 lost their job or earned less than 70% of their pre-9/11                          
  income

• Have a family member, or shared a home with someone, who meets the                            
  criteria above

• Reside in NYC

Group B includes NYC residents who are not in Group A but who have                 
psychological symptoms that are likely related to the attacks.  Individuals                  
in this category will be screened, and their treating providers will be asked                  
to submit a letter affirming that their conditions are likely related to the                  
events of 9/11.

WHAT SERVICES ARE COVERED?

The NYC 9/11 Benefit Program reserves the right to modify covered                  
services at any time.

Covered services include:

• Outpatient mental health and substance-use services:                            
  The benefit program covers out-of-pocket costs associated with                            
  outpatient treatment. There is no dollar cap on reimbursement for 
  members of Group A. For members of Group B, reimbursement is limited to 
  $3,000 over the lifetime of the benefit.

 • Medication and laboratory work related to mental health and                            
   substance-usetreatment: Additionally, the benefit covers reimbursement                            
   for medication and/or laboratory work up to $1,500 over the lifetime of                            
   the benefit.

• Psychological evaluations and testing: The benefit covers up to eight                            
   hours of evaluation and testing for children age 21 and under.

The benefit program does not cover the following:

• Inpatient services

• Emergency-room visits and related services

• Acupuncture

• Art therapy and other expressive therapies

• Missed appointments

• Non-related mental health/substance use medications

WHO CAN PROVIDE TREATMENT?

To receive reimbursement, you must receive services from a provider                  
who is licensed/certified in New York State, or who works under the                  
supervision of a New York State-licensed providerin the same field of                  
practice.

Services delivered by the following licensed or certified professionals are                  
covered under the NYC 9/11 Benefit Program:

• Physicians

• Psychologists

• Social workers

• Nurse practitioners

• Certified alcoholism or substance-use counselors

• Mental health counselors

• Marriage and family counselors

• Licensed psychoanalysts (state license holders only; national                            
   certification is not sufficient)

HOW CAN I APPLY FOR THE BENEFIT?

Any eligible person can enroll by calling 877-737-1164 (877-SEP11MH)                  
or (TTY) 212-982-5284.                                                    


Group A enrollment is also available online, at: 
http://www.nyc.gov/9-11mentalhealth.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• April 2008: Enrollment begins

• January 2, 2007: Coverage begins (retroactively)

• July 7, 2010: Enrollment ends                 

• January 7, 2011: Coverage ends

• March 31, 2011: Last day to submit claims

Note: Terms are subject to modification based on available resources and                  
the success of the program. For more information, visit 
http://www.nyc.gov/9-11mentalhealth. This program is funded and                  
overseenby the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene,                  
with benefit access coordinated by the Mental Health Association of NYC.

Mt. Sinai Reopens World Trade Center Screening Enrollment 
            
Mt. Sinai Hospital will again accept new patients into the World Trade              
Center Worker and Volunteer Medical Screening program.  The program              
ended last year but has been saved by a federal grant. Many recovery              
workers have been diagnosed with illnesses. If you qualify, call              
1-800-702-0630.  Exams will be given in Manhattan, Queens, Nassau and              
Suffolk Counties, and New Jersey.  If you qualify, but have left the area,              
call the number above and you will be contacted.                                

Examination takes approximately three hours and test for the most common              
September 11th-related illnesses.  You will not be tested for heavy metal              
exposure (which needs to be done within 90 daysof exposure) or for              
asbestos, cancer or long-term problems (it is too soon for that).  What will              
be tested for: breathing (pulmonary function testing); persistent or chronic              
sinusitis or rhinitis; reactive airways disease (asthma); laryngitis, tracheitis              
and bronchitis; gastro-esophageal reflux; emotional distress; and persistent              
problems related to injuries sustained at the recovery site.  You will also be              
tested for heart problems.                              

For more information, or to download eligibility forms, go to:
www.wtcexams.org.

September 11th Community Support: 
NYC's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Website
             
Call (212) 788-9305             
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/home/home.shtml 

New York City has launched a comprehensive new website that offers the                  
latest information about 9/11 health and services. The "one-stop shopping"              
website makes it much easier for New Yorkers who were exposed to the              
collapse of the World Trade Center find the free medical trearment and              
resources they need to get better.  Health Commissioner Thomas              
Frieden, MD, MPH speaks about what we know about 9/11 physical and              
mental health problems.  The website also includes easily accesible health              
research findings about the different groups of people who were affected              
by the disaster: rescue and recovery workers, residents, children, city              
employees and others.

The 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Call 1-800-LIFENET for immediate help (1-800-543-3638)                               
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/wtc/html/mhb/about.shtml

The 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program enrollment deadline                            
was January 2, 2007 at 5pm.  If you are already enrolledin the Program, the                            
last day to file claims is March 31, 2008.                                                      

The 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program offers enrolled                           
participants with the financial assistance of the cost of mental health and                           
substance abuse treatment to those directly affected by the atttacks,                            
regardless of insurance or immigration status.  Coverage is retroactive to                            
9/11/01. The program is funded by the American Red Cross, and administered                            
by the Mental Health Association of New York City.                                                       

 If you were directly affected by the 9/11 attacks, you and your family may                            
be eligible to receive mental health treatment or free or at low cost.  If you                            
are eligible,this program is avaliable regardless of where you live, your                            
insurance coverage, and your immigration status.  You choose the type of                            
treatment and the licensed provider.                                                        

Not everyone reacts to traumatic events in the same way.  That's why a                            
variety of services are available.  1-800-LIFENET is a toll-free hotline that                            
makes it easy for you to get free or low cost help with emotional, drug or                            
alcohol problems related to 9/11.           
                                             
LifeNet is:                           
- Totally confidential and available 24 hours a day, 7 says a week                           
- Operated by The Mental Health Association of NYC, a private,                           
   non-profit organization dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and                            
   access to treatment services; and                           
-Availale to English, Spanish and Asian language speakers, with support for                            
  all others.                                                      

Please call 212.614.6384 to speak with benefit coordinators and referral                            
specialists offer personal, confidential help 24 hours a day.

Monday, July 26, 2010

911 Families © 2009