How do I know if I am eligible for
Medical Monitoring Program exams? How can I be sure I was seen in the World Trade Center Worker and Volunteer Medical Screening Program? Are there any costs to me for these
Monitoring Program exams? Where can I receive a
Monitoring Program exam? Should I come in for a
Monitoring Program exam even if I'm feeling fine now? What can I do if I'm not eligible for
an exam?
What happens if I change my address? How will I know when it is time for me to get an exam? What does the exam consist of? Will I get a report of my exam results? Will anyone else have access to my exam results? If I am found to have health issues related to my WTC work and exposures, what can I do? If I have work-related health issues that are not related to my WTC work and exposures, what can I do?
How do I know if I am eligible for
Medical Monitoring Program exams?
If you were seen in the World Trade Center Worker and Volunteer Medical Screening Program, you are automatically entitled to
the exam provided by the Medical Monitoring Program. If you have not been seen in the World Trade Center Worker and Volunteer Medical Screening Program, you may still be eligible to participate if you were a worker or volunteer involved in rescue, recovery, clean-up
or restoration of essential services. To find out whether you are eligible, call our Registration
Hotline
at (888) 702-0630 or print and fill out the
eligibility form and
fax or mail it to us.
How can I be sure I was seen in the World Trade Center Worker and Volunteer Medical Screening Program?
If you are unsure
whether you were seen in the WTC Worker and Volunteer Medical Screening Program, you can call
our Registration Hotline at (888) 702-0630. If you find out you
did not participate, you can find out whether you're eligible to do so at the same number.
Are there any costs to me for these
Monitoring Program exams?
No. The World Trade Center Medical Monitoring Program examinations are provided free-of-charge. This program is funded by the
National Institute
for Occupational Safety & Health.
Where can I receive a
Monitoring Program exam?
At this time, there are
six clinic locations in the
New York City metropolitan area for you to choose from.
Additional clinics are currently being established in other
parts of the country. Please check this website again in the
Fall for updates on these additional locations.
Should I come in for a
Monitoring Program exam even if I'm feeling fine now?
Yes. Everyone who is eligible for the
Monitoring Program is strongly encouraged to participate
for three main reasons. First, this program will follow your health for a five-year period, and provide longer-term medical monitoring if resources become available.
Second, not all conditions cause symptoms that you are aware of,
so by getting periodic examinations, it may be possible to detect any late-starting diseases.
Finally, while the main focus of the program is to provide participants with clinical evaluations of their own health, the information that will be gained by following the group of 9/11 workers and volunteers will be extremely valuable in understanding how to protect worker health in future emergencies.
What can I do if I'm not eligible for
an exam?
If you are experiencing symptoms related to your work (either
on the WTC effort or as part of your regular job), you can go to any of the occupational health centers in the New York State Occupational Health Clinic Network. This
network consists of
multiple occupational health centers across the state specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of work-related health conditions.
You can find more information about the New York State Occupational Health Clinic Network by visiting their web site at
www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/environ/occupate.htm or
by calling (800) 458-1158.
What happens if I change my address?
In order for you to be notified of exams, it is important that you update us on changes
to your
contact information. In addition, we also ask that you provide the names and contact information of at least two people,
such as family members, who do not live with you who may be contacted if we are unable to
contact you using the information you provided. Your
additional contact information will be kept in the strictest
confidence, as is all the information you give us. These people will only be contacted if
we cannot reach you after multiple attempts and they will not be contacted for any other purpose.
How will I know when it is time for me to get an exam?
Every patient who
was seen in the Screening Program will be contacted to schedule
an appointment. Over the next five years, we will contact you to have your exams about every 18 to 24 months. You will receive telephone and written reminders when
it is time to schedule your next exam. It is therefore important that you keep us updated on
any changes to your
contact information.
What does the exam consist of?
Examinations will include
the following:
- Comprehensive physical examination
- Routine blood and urine tests (no drug or HIV testing)
- Breathing tests
- Mental health assessment
- Exposure assessment
- Referral for treatment, if necessary
- Benefits and entitlements information
Will I get a report of my exam results?
Yes. You will be provided with a brief preliminary report of your exam results
at the end of your exam. A separate final report, which will include laboratory test results will be sent to you later.
Will anyone else have access to my exam results?
No. All results will be kept strictly confidential by the
Monitoring Program. No information about you will be provided to anyone other than yourself without your written consent.
If I am found to have health issues related to my WTC work and exposures, what can I do?
You can consult with
one of the member centers of the
New York State Occupational Health Clinic Network
described above.
An additional program, the
World Trade Center Health Effects Treatment Program, offers
medical testing and treatment by an occupational medicine physician, and benefits counseling to workers and volunteers who suffer health conditions as a result of their work
on the World Trade Center rescue and recovery effort. Services are provided at no out-of-pocket cost to patients. For more information, call
(212) 241-9059.
If I have work-related health issues that are not related to my WTC work and exposures, what can I do?
The
New York State Occupational Health Clinic Network can provide diagnosis and treatment of work-related health conditions.
|
