DO YOU HAVE NEW, WORSENED, OR PERSISTENT PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE WORLD TRADE CENTER ATTACKS ON 9/11?
September, 2010: Two Important Notices
The deadline for registration to preserve your right to file a Workers Compensation claim related to 9/11 exposures has now passed - September 13, 2010. The ability to preserve your right to a 9/11-related disability pension also ended that day.
Individuals who were exposed to toxic materials on or after 9/11 fall into two main categories - first responders who performed rescue, recovery or clean-up work and office workers, residents or students who either lived or worked in Lower Manhattan or were called back to work locations downtown soon after 9/11. Most OSA members affected by 9/11 fall into the second group.
IF YOU WERE A DOWNTOWN OFFICE WORKER OR RESIDENT EXPOSED TO 9/11 TOXIC AIR OR DUST
The WTC EHC is the only center of excellence providing physical and mental health care services to people affected by 9/11 who were not first responders.
Many OSA members worked downtown on 9/11 and in the weeks and months afterward, in close proximity to the World Trade Center site. Many were exposed to a range of toxic materials.
In short, you did not have to be a first responder working on the “pile” to be exposed and have your health adversely affected.
If you are suffering new, worsened, or persistent physical or mental health problems that you believe are related to 9/11, and you were an area worker, resident or student, you are eligible for care at the WTC EHC. The WTC EHC works in cooperation with community and labor organizations and residents affected by 9/11, including our union.
If you believe you have physical or mental health problems related to 9/11, call 1-877-WTC-0107 toll free. You will reach someone who will ask you a few questions about your health problems and help to determine if the program is right for you. Please let the person who answers the phone know that you are an OSA member and that you learned about the Center from the union.
The initial visit to the Center includes a comprehensive assessment of your health. Among the many conditions identified in patients at the Center thus far are new, worsened, or persistent respiratory problems, stomach and esophageal problems, skin conditions, and depression and anxiety. But, even if you don’t see your specific problem in this short list, please call the WTC EHC if you believe your health problem is connected to 9/11.
Treatment at the Center is provided at no out-of-pocket cost to you.
Even if you presently have other doctors who are treating you for 9/11-related conditions, it is important to contact the Center and see their doctors. Center doctors, who have a vast amount of experience with 9/11- related health conditions, will work with your physician to help in your treatment.
The health data collected by the Center is an important tool both in research to determine the scope of 9/11 health impacts and in ensuring that there is adequate funding for treatment for affected individuals. The confidentiality of your information will be protected.
You can download a brochure here for the WTC EHC which explains in greater detail the services the Center provides.
For more information contact:
WORLD TRADE CENTER ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CENTER
IF YOU WORKED OR VOLUNTEERED DOING RESCUE, RECOVERY OR CLEAN-UP WORK
If you worked or volunteered doing rescue, recovery or clean-up work after the 9/11 attacks, you may be eligible to receive a free medical screening and treatment at the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program based at Mount Sinai Hospital and at other facilities that are part of the consortium of health providers in the WTC Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program.
The World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program provides two kinds of services to World Trade Center responders:
If you were a responder, even if you are not experiencing any symptoms at this time, it's important to get screened, so you can be eligible for the program if you happen to develop health problems in the future that are related to your work after the 9/11 attacks. Benefits counseling is also available. For more information contact:
WTC MEDICAL MONITORING & TREATMENT PROGRAM
FIND ADDITIONAL HELP FOR YOUR 9/11 RELATED MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS
The New York City Health Department is offering, in partnership with the Mental Health Association of New York, "an insurance-like benefit to help cover mental health and substance-use treatment for NYC residents still affected by the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center."
This program, limited to mental health impacts, is available to those who worked near the WTC area and to a range of other affected individuals. If you're eligible, you will be given reimbursement of out-of-pocket costs up to the program's fee schedule limits. If you have insurance, your insurance benefit must be applied first to the cost of treatment and this program will cover any uncovered remaining out-of-pocket costs. [Note that the World Trade Center Environmental Health Center at Bellevue, Gouverneur and Elmhurst Hospitals offers mental health services at no out-of-pocket cost as well as treatment for physical health issues related to 9/11. Since they provide an integrated physical and mental health treatment program, You might wish to see if the WTC EHC is right for you first before seeking alternate mental health care under this program.]
For more information on this program, you can download a fact sheet by clicking here. Please read it carefully.
For more information, contact:
NYC 9/11 BENEFIT PROGRAM FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES
GET INFORMATION ABOUT 9/11 HEALTH ISSUES ON AN ONGOING BASIS
The New York City Department of Health maintains a website on 9/11 Health issues. The site, launched in 2007, "consolidates the latest information about scientific research and services, including where those affected can go for free treatment and medicine. The website also includes easily accessible research findings and treatment options for the different groups of affected people: rescue and recovery workers, residents, children, city employees and others. The new site provides, for the first time, a single source for information about the health effects of 9/11."
To visit the website go to:
www.nyc.gov/html/doh/wtc/html/home/home.shtml
You may also subscribe to a bimonthly e-newsletter with 9/11 health information by visiting this page and following the instructions to sign up.
The World Trade Center Environmental Health Center (WTC EHC) evaluates and treats the medical problems of non-responders associated with the destruction of the World Trade Center and the resulting spread of toxic smoke and dust. The WTC EHC is a program of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation with locations at Bellevue Hospital, Gouverneur Health Services in Lower Manhattan, and Elmhurst Hospital Center in Queens.
1(877) WTC-0107
www.nyc.gov/html/hhc/html/services/wtc-health-center.shtml
1(888) 702-0630
www.wtcexams.org
1(877)737-1164
www.nyc.gov/9-11mentalhealth