Member resources

Responders and Survivors in the WTC Health Program Nationwide Provider Network have access to care related to their certified conditions, initial health evaluation, annual monitoring examinations (when applicable), and diagnostic testing.

Not sure when the Nationwide Provider Network needs to make an appointment for your WTC-related care or when you can make one on your own? The guidance below is for members in the Nationwide Provider Network looking to schedule new or ongoing appointments with a WTC Health Program provider.

First appointment with a provider?

• It is extra important that the Nationwide Provider Network schedule initial appointments. This makes sure that all bills are properly sent to the Nationwide Provider Network, and you do not receive a bill. Scheduling your own initial care may cause you to be billed for services instead of the Nationwide Provider Network.
• As always, if you need to contact the Nationwide Provider Network with questions on how to schedule an appointment, please call Nationwide Provider Network Member Services at 1-800-416-2898 (Mon – Fri, 8am to 8pm ET).

Initial Health Evaluations (IHE) for Newly Enrolled Responders and Survivors

Who makes the appointment?

The Nationwide Provider Network.

The Nationwide Provider Network will contact you after enrollment to help you schedule your Initial Health Evaluation (IHE) and any additional care you may need. For newly enrolled Responders, the Initial Health Evaluation (IHE) is the same as your first monitoring exam.

Annual Monitoring Examinations (AME) for Responders and Certified-Eligible Survivors.

Who makes the appointment?

The Nationwide Provider Network.

The Nationwide Provider Network will contact you directly to schedule these appointments. You may also call the Nationwide Provider Network for assistance.

Please do not attempt to schedule your own Annual Monitoring Exam (AME), even if you are seeing a provider you have previously seen. The Nationwide Provider Network must ensure the provider is prepared to provide any testing you need, and that they send the Nationwide Provider Network copies of the results afterwards. The results are used to identify any diagnostic testing or certifications you may need.

Members Transferring to the Nationwide Provider Network from a Clinical Center of Excellence (CCE)

Who makes the appointment?

The Nationwide Provider Network.

• The Nationwide Provider Network will contact you to transition your care to new in-network providers in your area. Please do not attempt to establish care with a new provider until you have spoken with the Nationwide Provider Network.
• Why do you have to speak with us? We must make sure that the provider(s) is in network. We may also need to send your medical records to that provider(s) along with important Nationwide Provider Network information before you can see that provider.

Members Scheduling Appointments with a New Provider

Who makes the appointment?

The Nationwide Provider Network.

• If you need to see a new provider for any reason, including a new certification, referral to a specialist, need for additional diagnostics, moving to a new area, or dissatisfaction with a previous provider, please contact the Nationwide Provider Network for assistance. The Nationwide Provider Network will assist you with locating an in-network provider in your area and scheduling your first appointment.

Members Scheduling Recurring Appointments with a Current Provider

Who makes the appointment?

You do (or the Nationwide Provider Network can help).

• If you are already seeing an in-network provider for WTC-related care, you may schedule follow up appointments on your own, directly with the provider. If you would like assistance doing this, you may contact the Nationwide Provider Network.

Members Who Are Unsure of Provider Status

Who makes the appointment?

Contact the Nationwide Provider Network first.

• If you are unsure whether your provider is in network or out of network, please contact the Nationwide Provider Network for confirmation. If your provider is out of network, our team will assist you to transition your care to an in-network provider. We will also let you know at that point if you can schedule the appointment directly or if we need to do it.

REMEMBER! If you need to contact the Nationwide Provider Network for one of the situations above or for other needs, please call Nationwide Provider Network Member Services at 1-800-416-2898 (Mon – Fri, 8am to 8pm ET). If you do self-schedule an appointment, please contact the Nationwide Provider Network as soon as possible so that we can confirm your provider is in network.

All newly enrolled Responders and Survivors are eligible for an initial health evaluation (IHE) once they are assigned to the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program Nationwide Provider Network. The IHE is a medical exam used to determine if you have any illnesses or conditions that may be related to your exposure at 9/11 and may be eligible for treatment under the Program. Initial Health Evaluations (IHEs) are provided at no cost to you and include a medical and exposure history, a physical examination and additional medical testing as needed.

Scheduling your Initial Health Evaluation (IHE)

After enrolling in the Program and being assigned to the Nationwide Provider Network, a Nationwide Provider Network Member Services representative will call you to welcome you to the Program. You will also receive a welcome packet with additional information and, if you are a Responder, an Nationwide Provider Network ID card. During your welcome phone call, the representative will begin the process to prepare you for your Initial Health Evaluation (IHE).

Before the Nationwide Provider Network can schedule your Initial Health Evaluation (IHE), you will need to complete required forms:

• Exposure Questionnaire
• Medical Health Questionnaire

You can complete these forms online through the member portal, or the representative can schedule a time to assist you in completing the forms over the phone. Once you complete any forms required, a representative will prepare a summary for your Initial Health Evaluation (IHE) provider. This will help guide your provider during the examination.

After your forms are completed, a representative will call you to schedule your appointment with an in-network provider near you. Do not attempt to make this appointment yourself.

Preparing for your appointment

You should prepare for your Initial Health Evaluation (IHE) appointment in the following ways:

1. Confirm appointment details (date, time, location of your provider, directions, and travel time).
2. Follow any instructions from the provider before your appointment, such as fasting or changing your medication schedule.
3. Complete any paperwork provided by the Nationwide Provider Network prior to your first visit.
4. Write down a list of any medications you are currently taking and take the list with you to your appointment.
5. Write down a list of symptoms you are experiencing, even those that you think might not be related to your 9/11 exposures. Symptoms may include trouble sleeping, persistent cough, runny nose, etc.

*Keep in mind that an Initial Health Evaluation (IHE) usually takes longer than a routine check-up, so please plan your time accordingly.

What to expect at the appointment

Your Initial Health Evaluation (IHE) may be like physical examinations you have had in the past. The exam may include:

• Physical assessment
• Laboratory test and/or bloodwork (Blood counts (CBC), metabolic panel (electrolytes, kidney function, and sometimes liver function), cholesterol, and a urine test are what the WTC Health Program authorizes at your physical)
• Pulmonary function testing
• Chest X-ray
• EKG

During the exam, be sure to share any concerns you have with the provider including any recent symptoms you have experienced. This is your opportunity to ask questions and talk through your conditions.

After the examination

The Nationwide Provider Network will send you a letter that summarizes your results and what, if any, conditions may be eligible to be certified, what conditions require further testing or medical documentation as recommended by your provider, and what conditions are not WTC-related, but should be discussed with your personal provider.

Contact us

A Nationwide Provider Network Member Services representative will contact you to schedule your Initial Health Evaluation (IHE). If you have any questions in the meantime, contact us at 1-800-416-2898 or through the Nationwide Provider Network Member Portal chat feature, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.

The Annual Monitoring Exam (AME) is available to Responders and Survivors with a certified WTC-related health condition. The AME looks for WTC-related physical and mental health conditions. Findings help determine whether a member has a condition that can be certified (approved) for treatment in the WTC Health Program. Like other WTC-related health care from in-network Program providers, the Annual Monitoring Exam (AME) is provided at no cost to you.

Scheduling your AME

A Nationwide Provider Network Member Services representative will call you to schedule your next annual exam. It is important that the Nationwide Provider Network schedule this appointment to be sure it is completed per Program guidelines and at no cost to you. Do not attempt to make this appointment yourself even with your previous Annual Monitoring Exam (AME) examiner. The Nationwide Provider Network is available to help.

As with your prior monitoring exam, you will need to complete required forms before the Nationwide Provider Network can schedule your exam. For the Annual Monitoring Exam (AME), this typically includes only the Medical Health Questionnaire. A Nationwide Provider Network representative will contact you if additional forms need to be completed.

You can complete these forms online through the member portal, or you can schedule a time to complete the forms over the phone with a representative. Once you complete any forms required, a representative will prepare a summary for your Annual Monitoring Exam (AME) provider. This will help guide your provider in the examination.

A representative will call you to schedule your appointment with an in-network provider near you. If possible, the Nationwide Provider Network will schedule you with your previous monitoring provider.

Preparing for your appointment

You should prepare for your Annual Monitoring Exam (AME) appointment in the following ways:

1. Confirm appointment details (date, time, location of your provider, directions, and travel time).
2. Follow any instructions from the provider before your appointment, such as fasting or changing your medication schedule.
3. Complete any paperwork provided by the Nationwide Provider Network prior to your first visit.
4. Write down a list of any medications you are currently taking and take the list with you to your appointment.
5. Write down a list of symptoms you are experiencing, even those that you think might not be related to your 9/11 exposures. Symptoms may include trouble sleeping, persistent cough, runny nose, etc.

* Keep in mind that an Annual Monitoring Exam (AME) usually takes longer than a routine check-up, so please plan your time accordingly.

What to expect at the appointment

Your Annual Monitoring Exam (AME) will be like other Program monitoring exams. The exam may include:

• Physical assessment
• Laboratory test and/or bloodwork (Note: The blood tests performed at your exam are limited to those allowed under WTC Health Program policy)
• Pulmonary function testing
• Chest X-ray
• EKG

During the exam, be sure to share any concerns you have with the provider including any recent symptoms you have experienced or changes in your health.

After the examination

The Nationwide Provider Network will send you a letter that summarizes your results and what, if any, conditions may be eligible to be certified, what conditions require further testing or medical documentation as recommended by your provider, and what conditions are not WTC-related, but should be discussed with your personal provider.

Contact us

An Nationwide Provider Network Member Services representative will contact you to schedule your Annual Monitoring Exam (AME). If you have any questions in the meantime, contact us at 1-800-416-2898 or through the Nationwide Provider Network Member Portal chat feature, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.