THE ZADROGA ACT

WHAT IS THE ZADROGA ACT?

In 2010, Congress passed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 (the “Zadroga Act”). The act was originally named to honor a New York Police Department officer who died after being exposed to toxic dust and debris from the World Trade Center.

A Zadroga lawyer at Pitta & Baione LLP focuses his or her practice on helping survivors and first responders of the September 11, 2011 terrorist attacks access the free healthcare and financial compensation provided by the “Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Act.”

The Zadroga Act provides 911 first responders and survivors with access to free healthcare and financial compensation through two programs:

• The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP)
• The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF)

These funds ensure that both the responders who rushed to the scene and the survivors of the 9/11 attack are supported as they continue to rebuild their lives.

HOW DOES A ZADROGA LAWYER HELP ME?

The WTCHP and VCF work to ensure that the survivors of 9/11 are never forgotten. Both programs cover a specific list of injuries and illnesses attributable to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This list is maintained by the WTCHP, and includes almost all types of cancer, interstitial lung diseases, aerodigestive disorders, and acute traumatic injuries.

• The WTCHP provides free medical monitoring and treatment to eligible first responders and survivors.
• The VCF provides financial compensation to eligible responders, survivors, and to loved ones of those who have since passed away.

HOW LONG WILL THE ZADROGA ACT BE IN EFFECT?

The original Zadroga Act allocated $4.2 billion to 9/11 survivors, responders, and the families of deceased loved ones. Under the original act, both the WTCHP and the VCP were set to expire in October 2016. In 2015, the Reauthorized Zadroga Act significantly increased funding and extended the deadline for both programs, allowing the WTCHP to operate until late 2090 and the VCF to remain open until December 2020.

HOW CAN A ZADROGA LAWYER HELP?

If you are eligible for free health services under the WTCHP and/or financial compensation under the VCF, a Zadroga attorney at Pitta & Baione LLP can help you file a claim.

Unlike other firms that typically focus on claims under the VCF, our lawyers have extensive experience filing claims under both programs. Enrolling in the WTCHP to have your medical conditions certified is often a required step to receive compensation from the VCF. If you might have a claim, contact a Zadroga attorney at our firm today by calling 844-982-2667.

WHAT IF I ALREADY HAVE A DOCTOR I LIKE?

Services and benefits of the WTCHP are completely voluntary after your medical conditions have been assessed and certified.

Regardless of the healthcare treatment you choose, it is important to note that health services will only be free of charge under the WTCHP if:

• They are provided by a WTCHP physician; and
• They relate to and/or are designed to treat the patient’s Covered Condition.

WTCHP members are free to choose whether they receive treatment from a WTCHP provider, from another provider, or through some combination of the two. For example, some WTCHP members may choose to continue treatment with their existing health professionals ­– but only use the WTCHP pharmacy benefits in order to eliminate their prescription drug copayments.

HOW DOES THE WORLD TRADE CENTER HEALTH PROGRAM WORK WITH MY EXISTING HEALTH INSURANCE?

The WTCHP does not conflict with any existing private or public health plans and generally serves to ensure that benefits are provided at no cost to the WTCHP member. In some instances, benefits under the WTCHP will be coordinated with the benefits or coverage available from your insurance provider. For example:

• For responders, the WTCHP serves as the first payer for medical and mental health treatment services (meaning that existing health insurance will never be billed for any medical treatment service rendered by the WTCHP to treat a certified 9/11-related health condition).
• For survivors who have existing public or private health insurance, your existing health insurance serves as the first payer and will be billed first for any medically necessary treatment rendered by the WTCHP. The WTCHP then covers any remaining costs not covered by your primary insurance so that there is no final cost to the patient.

Regardless of your health insurance coverage, as a WTCHP member you will never be responsible for paying any co-insurance charges, copayments, or deductibles for treatment of your Covered Condition, so long as the services are provided by a WTCHP physician.

WHY DO I NEED A WTC LAWYER?

Although anyone can submit an application to participate in the WTCHP, we do not advise going through this process without help from a knowledgeable World Trade Center lawyer. Unlike other law firms that burden their clients with completing application paperwork, at Pitta & Baione LLP our experienced WTC team will do all the legwork for you. An incomplete and/or incorrect application is the number one cause of delays and denials of coverage under the WTCHP. You may risk losing your benefits if you do not know how the process works.

At Pitta & Baione LLP, our lawyers help clients with WTCHP applications every day. We understand the process, have good relationships with decision makers, and regularly counsel clients on the WTCHP application and eligibility requirements. We know how to prepare an application that is likely to be approved. In fact, unlike many other firms that advise clients in this space, our WTC team of attorneys, paralegals, and benefits coordinators will complete all of the paperwork for your review, thus saving you time and hassle.

We also regularly help expedite claims for clients who need to access their health benefits quickly. Even if you do not currently have symptoms of a covered health condition, if you were exposed to toxic air conditions during and after the September 11 attacks, there is no reason not to contact us today.

If the information provided on this page seems confusing, that’s because it is. Pitta & Baione LLP can help. Call us today at 844-740-2952 and let a World Trade Center lawyer at our firm review your claim.