Please be advised starting June 1, 2022 we are no longer using OptumRx. Our new Pharmacy Benefit Manager is Express Scripts. All WTC-related prescriptions with refills at OptumRx were transferred to Express Scripts, but will NOT refill automatically. To refill your medications you MUST CALL Express Scripts at 800-935-7179 or you can refill online using the member portal at [express-scripts.com]express-scripts.com. Have your WTC Health Program Prescription ID card with you when ordering as you will need you ID number. Remember to order refills 1-2 weeks before running out of your medication. Similarly, if you are receiving specialty medications from Optum Specialty Pharmacy/BriovaRx Specialty Pharmacy, you must now instead use Accredo Specialty by calling 855-540-1780 or going online at [accredo.com]accredo.com. New WTC Health Program Prescription ID cards were mailed out to every member with at least one certified WTC-related condition. Make sure to use your new WTC Health Program Prescription ID card when you need to fill a WTC-related prescription at your local pharmacy. See below for an example of your new WTC Health Program Prescription ID card. Please call the FDNY WTC Health and Wellness Program at 718-999-1937 or email [wtcprescriptions@fdny.nyc.gov]wtcprescriptions@fdny.nyc.gov with any WTC-related prescription issues
COVID-19 Illness Once Again on the Rise Boosters Prevent Hospitalization & Deaths All shots including Boosters NOW available at FDNY. ---FDNY's Moderna Booster appears to provide the highest level of protection from COVID-19 illness. Breakthrough infections do occur, but those boosted report only mild illness. Most important, those vaccinated and boosted have rarely required hospitalization. While a booster is not yet required for employment by FDNY, it is the prudent medical choice. A booster is 1/2 the original dose and is available at FDNY to all adults (active, retired or family members). You are qualified for a booster if you meet one of the following: 1st Booster - Age 18 or older and it has been at least 5 months since your 2nd Moderna or Pfizer vaccine and you have not yet received a booster. 2nd Booster - Age 50 or older and it has been at least 4 months from your 1st booster (you received a 3rd shot and this would be your 4th). If Immunocompromised: cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers) diagnosed or treated within last year; autoimmune diseases on certain medications (oral steroids, methotrexate, Humira, Remicaid, etc); or transplant patients. You are qualified for booster if you meet one of the following: Age 18 or older 1st Booster - It has been at least 1 month since your 2nd Moderna or Pfizer vaccine and you have not yet received a booster. This is the only booster at full dose. 2nd Booster - It has been at least 3 months from your 1st booster (you received a received a 3rd shot and this would be your 4th). 3rd Booster - It has been at least 4 months from your 2nd booster (you received a received a 4th shot and this would be your 5th). If you are recovering from COVID-19, you only need to wait 10 days from onset or 90 days if you were treated with monoclonal antibodies to receive a booster. If you originally received a J&J Jansen single shot vaccine, you can still be boosted with the Moderna vaccine as above. FDNY Vaccination Sites WTC Satellites - FRIDAYS ONLY, 10am-2pm (Walk-Ins only, no appointment needed) Fort Totten (WTC Bldg 413B), Staten Island, Commack, Middletown FDNY Headquarters, Monday-Friday 10am -4pm (Walk-Ins only, no appointment needed) 9 Metrotech Center (Auditorium) Remember your best defense is vaccination, boosters, and wearing masks during normal encounters and respirators (half-face elastomeric or N-95) during patient encounters. If your booster(s) was received at a non-FDNY site, please submit proof of vaccination via the COVID Test Result and Vaccination Proof Upload application on the FDNY Intranet homepage or via email to: [HRVaxProof@fdny.nyc.gov]HRVaxProof@fdny.nyc.gov. Upload or attach a picture of your card along with vaccine type and date of shot(s). This is very important so we can estimate the number of booster doses we need to order.
My name is Peter Melly and I have been a NYC firefighter for the past 35 years (1983-2018). It is now known that not only is smoke absorbed through the respiratory system, but also absorbed through the skin. The cumulative effects of by-products of fire combustion have had devastating effects on us long timers
I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease 5 years ago and had a rather progressive course. I have no known family history of Parkinson"s Disease, even in a family of significant longevity. Last year i had deep brain stimulation (DBS) which involves putting electrodes in your brain controlled by two battery packs implanted in your chest. This was needed to control my left hand tremor, also helps with body stiffness and loss of balance. My other symptoms include constipation, speech difficulties, trouble with writing, and a lack of facial expression.
The standard of care for Parkinson's Disease in the year 2021 is now DBS and medication. My doctor has told me that I will never be off medication but the DBS has cut my medication in half.
Previous studies have found that firefighters have a tenfold higher prevalence of Parkinson's Disease than the general population. NETPR (Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Parkinson's Research) reveals that genetic transmission is a minor component of the development of Parkinson's Disease. This confirms the significance of environmental factors such as exposure to toxins.
Since firefighting is a high-risk profession of chronic, significant chemical toxic exposure, so far, Indiana has recognized Parkinson's Disease as a line of duty disability and Massachusetts is pursuing this protective legislative.
What we need in the York City Fire Department, is a web page dedicated to "New York City Firefighters with Parkinson's Disease". Someplace a firefighter's can go and put his name
on record so we can be counted. One firehouse I was assigned to had 3 firefighters diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. How many other firefighters are now suffering in silence? How many other firefighters have been diagnosed after they leave the job or spent time spent at Ground Zero?
We have to do something now!
Respectfully Submitted,
Retired BC Peter Melly
516-819-2364
MEDICARE PART B REIMBURSEMENT INFO
To All,
Let me begin by acknowledging the Coronavirus health crisis and expressing my sincere hope that you are taking good care of yourself. I am very concerned about the 9/11 community. You are among the most vulnerable since many of you have serious respiratory illnesses and cancers. Please follow the recommendations from the CDC and, as much as possible, avoid being with groups of people. And please encourage anyone you know who may be eligible – your former downtown friends, neighbors, co-workers, fellow students and teachers – to enroll in the WTC Health Program. The doctors at the Health Program are more knowledgeable than any other doctors about treating 9/11 respiratory illnesses, and their expertise can make a difference.
NEXT-THE VICTIM'S COMPENSATION FUND:
There have been two significant changes to the Victim Compensation Fund that I would like to bring to your attention. The first affects you directly, as someone who received either a VCF award and/or an award from the prior litigation. The second affects the entire 9/11 community. We hope that you will help us spread the word.
VCF Fully Funded
First, as I’m sure you know, the VCF has been fully funded and permanently extended. Thank you Jon Stewart and other 9/11 advocates who walked the halls of Congress
with us.
What does this mean for you? As a VCF award recipient, you did not waive your legal rights when you received your initial award; you maintain your right to file a new claim for the next 70 years. Please let us know if you have been diagnosed with a new illness or have been found disabled since you received your initial award.
VCF Deadline Extension
Secondly, the VCF Special Master recently extended the deadline for thousands of people in the 9/11 community who failed to timely register their claim.
The original VCF statute required people to file claims within two years of their illness diagnosis or within two years of their loved one’s date of death. If they failed to register timely, they were barred from filing a claim. This deadline extension provides a second chance to file a claim.
What does this mean for you? Help us spread the word. So many in the 9/11 community have no idea about the rights to which they are entitled. The new deadline to file is July 29, 2021. If you know anyone who did not file a timely claim, or had a family member die of cancer or a pulmonary illness, tell them they may now assert a claim whether they were diagnosed or died in 2006 or just last week.
For anyone who would like more information, please have them contact us. We will confidentially talk to them about their situation and assess their opportunity to file a claim. We will also enroll them into the free WTC Health Program, if he or she hasn’t done so already. But remember, the new deadline to file – July 29, 2021 – is only 16 months from now. It’s important to act quickly.
During the coronavirus health crisis, our firm remains open though our staff is working remotely, as per Governor Cuomo's order. You can contact us by email at BaraschMcGarry@BaraschMcGarry.com. This is likely to be the most efficient way to communicate with us. You can also reach us by phone at 212-385-8000. If you contact us via phone, you may need to leave a message with a representative. Your call will be returned promptly, I assure you.
Stay safe during these turbulent times, and know that we are always here to help you, your family and everyone in the 9/11 community.
Respectfully,
Michael Barasch
THE NYC HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM HAS MOVED TO
22 CORTLANDT STREET NYC, NY 10007
(212) 513-0470
For a member receiving a Cancer Diagnosis and having biopsy and pathology results, FDNY WTC member should contact Nadia Jaber at 718 999-1223-Nadia is a longtime FDNY WTC Health Program staff member and Physician's Assistant. The main FDNY WTC Cancer Care phone number is 718 999-7040.
{Updated Cancer Info: Currently there are 1,530 unique FDNY Members with at least one WTC Cancer certification. Some members have more than one}
FIREFIGHTERS WITH ASBESTOS EXPOSURE PROBLEMS:
https://mesothelioma.net/asbestos-exposure-firefighters/
OUR NEWEST LINK DEALING WITH MESOTHELIOMA:
https://www.mesotheliomahub.com/mesothelioma/risk-factors/firefighters-and-mesothelioma/
OUR LATEST LINK FOR FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS DEALING WITH ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH
WTC De-Stressing (Due to COVID- All programs are on hold)
There is a new program for both active and retired members with health concerns related to the World Trade Center.
It is called:
Mindfulness Techniques for Relaxation,
Chronic Pain and Mood Mgmt Program.
It is offered at Fort Totten every Friday commencing on 10/7/11,
from 10:00-11:30am at the Counseling Service Bldg.
For more information Contact Maureen Healy at
(212) 570-1693 ext: 312
or Send E-Mail: healymfdny.nyc.gov
www.vcf.gov
http://zadroga-act.com
On July 29, 2019, the President signed into law The Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. The VCF Permanent Authorization Act extends the VCF’s claim filing deadline from December 18, 2020, to October 1, 2090, and appropriates such funds as may be necessary to pay all approved claims. The VCF recognizes that claimants will have many questions about the impact of the legislation on their claims. The VCF is committed to processing claims without interruption and issuing full payments to those who received a reduced award. Additional details about the VCF Permanent Authorization Act can be found here. Please check this website frequently for updates.
MANHATTAN: 251 LAFAYETTE ST. 3RD FLOOR
NYC, NY 10012
(212) 570-1693 [answered 24/7]
4th floor: (212) 925-6671
STATEN ISLAND:
1688 VICTORY BLVD, SUITE 101A
SI, NY 10314
(718) 815-4111
QUEENS: FORT TOTTEN, BLDG-413B
BAYSIDE, NY 11359
(718) 352-2140
UPSTATE NY-ORANGE,PUTNAM and
ROCKLAND COUNTIES:
2279 GOSHEN TPKE
MIDDLETOWN, NY 10941
(845) 695-1029
LONG ISLAND (SUFFOLK COUNTY):
SUFFOLK COMMUNITY COLLEGE
1001 Crooked Hill Road-Center Cottage
Brentwood, NY 11717
(631) 851-6888
For more information go to:
The Counseling Unit of The FDNY
COUNSELING UNIT
STAY CONNECTED
BREAKFAST SCHEDULE
[Due to COVID the Breakfast Schedule is suspended]
Fort Totten CSU:
Bldg 413B Bayside, NY 11361
(718) 352-2140
meets the 3rd Friday of every month
Meetings begin at 10:00am
~
Long Island:
South Farmingdale Firehouse:
819 South Main St. Farmingdale-
2nd Tuesday of the month at 9am.
~
Staten Island:
1688 Victory Blvd Suite 101 SI., NY
(718) 815-4111
Meets the last Tuesday of every month ,
the location for the breakfast is
Jimmy Max Restaurant
280 Watchoque Rd. SI, NY
~
Middletown CSU:
2279 Goshen Tpke. (845) 695-1029
meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month
Meetings begin at 9:00am
CT Scans Reduce Lung Cancer Deaths (AARP Health Care Page)
(click and read)
Our Newest Link:
National Cancer Research Fund
Featured Link:
MESOTHELIOMA SYMPTONS
WORLD TRADE CENTER
MEDICAL MONITORING PROGRAM
wtcmed@fdny.nyc.gov
(718) 999-1858
STATEN ISLAND HEART IMAGING PC
(State of the Art Nuclear&Echo Stress Testing Facility)
Priority Appointments for UFA&UFOA Members
1497 Richmond Road SI, NY 10306
(718) 351-0500
TOP TEN MEDICAL TESTS YOU SHOULD GET
(click on this link to find out the Top 10 Tests)
VASCULAR DIAGNOSTIC
www.vasculardiagnostic.com
(718) 886-0600
INFORMATION ABOUT 9-11 HEALTH EFFECTS AND SERVICES
go to: nyc.gov/9-11HealthInfo
Therapeutic Yoga for Healthy Living
located in Manhattan and Staten Island
Call Jessica Metz at (212) 570-1693 ex: 380
metzj@fdny.nyc.gov
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