§300mm–22 — Title 42 The Public Health and Welfare | U.S. Code

§300mm–22 Treatment of enrolled WTC responders for WTC-related health conditions

Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 6A— - PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER XXXI— - WORLD TRADE CENTER HEALTH PROGRAM › Part Part B— - Program of Monitoring, Initial Health Evaluations, and Treatment › Subpart subpart 1— - wtc responders › § 300mm–22

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Requires the WTC Health Program to pay for medically needed care for enrolled 9/11 responders when a qualified doctor finds that exposure to airborne toxins or other hazards from the September 11, 2001 attacks was substantially likely to have caused, made worse, or contributed to the person’s illness. Whether the attacks were a substantial factor is decided by a doctor’s exam and answers to a standardized exposure and symptom questionnaire approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. A "WTC-related health condition" means either a physical illness or a mental health condition linked to those exposures. A "WTC-related musculoskeletal disorder" means a chronic or recurring muscle or joint problem caused by heavy lifting or repeated strain during rescue or recovery work. Covered conditions include a list of respiratory illnesses (for example, asthma, COPD, chronic cough, GERD, sleep apnea and related disorders), mental health disorders (for example, PTSD, major depression, panic and anxiety disorders, substance abuse), low back pain, carpal tunnel, other musculoskeletal disorders treated on or before September 11, 2003, and any cancers or other conditions added later. The WTC Program Administrator must review scientific evidence and may add cancers by rule, with the first review due not later than 180 days after January 2, 2011. Doctors at Clinical Centers of Excellence send determinations to the Administrator, who reviews and issues coverage certification unless the condition or causal link is denied; the Administrator must set appeal procedures. Care must be medically necessary and follow treatment protocols developed by the Data Centers and approved by the Administrator. Covered items include doctor services, tests, drugs, hospital care, and other needed treatment, with outpatient drugs provided through contractor vendors chosen by competitive bid (a Comptroller General report on options was due by July 1, 2011). The Administrator must use procedures, independent peer review, Advisory Committee input, and specified timelines (for example, 90-day and 60-day review deadlines and a 30-day public comment period) when adding conditions or reviewing petitions; the Administrator must also ask the Advisory Committee to review related policies within 1 year after December 18, 2015 and seek peer-review recommendations at least every 2 years.

Title 42, §300mm–22

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)For purposes of this subchapter, the term “WTC-related health condition” means a condition that—

(A)(i)is an illness or health condition for which exposure to airborne toxins, any other hazard, or any other adverse condition resulting from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, based on an examination by a medical professional with experience in treating or diagnosing the health conditions included in the applicable list of WTC-related health conditions, is substantially likely to be a significant factor in aggravating, contributing to, or causing the illness or health condition, as determined under paragraph (2); or

(ii)is a mental health condition for which such attacks, based on an examination by a medical professional with experience in treating or diagnosing the health conditions included in the applicable list of WTC-related health conditions, is substantially likely to be a significant factor in aggravating, contributing to, or causing the condition, as determined under paragraph (2); and

(B)is included in the applicable list of WTC-related health conditions or—

(i)with respect to a WTC responder, is provided certification of coverage under subsection (b)(2)(B)(iii); or

(ii)with respect to a screening-eligible WTC survivor or certified-eligible WTC survivor, is provided certification of coverage under subsection (b)(2)(B)(iii), as applied under section 300mm–32(a) of this title.

(2)The determination under paragraph (1) or subsection (b) of whether the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks were substantially likely to be a significant factor in aggravating, contributing to, or causing an individual’s illness or health condition shall be made based on an assessment of the following:

(A)The individual’s exposure to airborne toxins, any other hazard, or any other adverse condition resulting from the terrorist attacks. Such exposure shall be—

(i)evaluated and characterized through the use of a standardized, population-appropriate questionnaire approved by the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; and

(ii)assessed and documented by a medical professional with experience in treating or diagnosing health conditions included on the list of WTC-related health conditions.

(B)The type of symptoms and temporal sequence of symptoms. Such symptoms shall be—

(i)assessed through the use of a standardized, population-appropriate medical questionnaire approved by the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and a medical examination; and

(ii)diagnosed and documented by a medical professional described in subparagraph (A)(ii).

(3)The list of health conditions for WTC responders consists of the following:

(A)(i)Interstitial lung diseases.

(ii)Chronic respiratory disorder—fumes/vapors.

(iii)Asthma.

(iv)Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS).

(v)WTC-exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

(vi)Chronic cough syndrome.

(vii)Upper airway hyperreactivity.

(viii)Chronic rhinosinusitis.

(ix)Chronic nasopharyngitis.

(x)Chronic laryngitis.

(xi)Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD).

(xii)Sleep apnea exacerbated by or related to a condition described in a previous clause.

(B)(i)Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

(ii)Major depressive disorder.

(iii)Panic disorder.

(iv)Generalized anxiety disorder.

(v)Anxiety disorder (not otherwise specified).

(vi)Depression (not otherwise specified).

(vii)Acute stress disorder.

(viii)Dysthymic disorder.

(ix)Adjustment disorder.

(x)Substance abuse.

(C)In the case of a WTC responder described in paragraph (4), a condition described in such paragraph.

(D)Any cancer (or type of cancer) or other condition added, pursuant to paragraph (5) or (6), to the list under this paragraph.

(4)(A)For purposes of this subchapter, in the case of a WTC responder who received any treatment for a WTC-related musculoskeletal disorder on or before September 11, 2003, the list of health conditions in paragraph (3) shall include:

(i)Low back pain.

(ii)Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

(iii)Other musculoskeletal disorders.

(B)The term “WTC-related musculoskeletal disorder” means a chronic or recurrent disorder of the musculoskeletal system caused by heavy lifting or repetitive strain on the joints or musculoskeletal system occurring during rescue or recovery efforts in the New York City disaster area in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

(5)(A)The WTC Program Administrator shall periodically conduct a review of all available scientific and medical evidence, including findings and recommendations of Clinical Centers of Excellence, published in peer-reviewed journals to determine if, based on such evidence, cancer or a certain type of cancer should be added to the applicable list of WTC-related health conditions. The WTC Program Administrator shall conduct the first review under this subparagraph not later than 180 days after January 2, 2011.

(B)Based on the periodic reviews under subparagraph (A), if the WTC Program Administrator determines that cancer or a certain type of cancer should be added to such list of WTC-related health conditions, the WTC Program Administrator shall propose regulations, through rulemaking, to add cancer or the certain type of cancer to such list.

(C)Based on all the available evidence in the rulemaking record, the WTC Program Administrator shall make a final determination of whether cancer or a certain type of cancer should be added to such list of WTC-related health conditions. If such a determination is made to make such an addition, the WTC Program Administrator shall by regulation add cancer or the certain type of cancer to such list.

(D)In the case that the WTC Program Administrator determines under subparagraph (B) or (C) that cancer or a certain type of cancer should not be added to such list of WTC-related health conditions, the WTC Program Administrator shall publish an explanation for such determination in the Federal Register. Any such determination to not make such an addition shall not preclude the addition of cancer or the certain type of cancer to such list at a later date.

(6)(A)Whenever the WTC Program Administrator determines that a proposed rule should be promulgated to add a health condition to the list of health conditions in paragraph (3), the Administrator may request a recommendation of the Advisory Committee or may publish such a proposed rule in the Federal Register in accordance with subparagraph (D).

(B)In the case that the WTC Program Administrator receives a written petition by an interested party to add a health condition to the list of health conditions in paragraph (3), not later than 90 days after the date of receipt of such petition the Administrator shall—

(i)request a recommendation of the Advisory Committee;

(ii)publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register to add such health condition, in accordance with subparagraph (D);

(iii)publish in the Federal Register the Administrator’s determination not to publish such a proposed rule and the basis for such determination; or

(iv)publish in the Federal Register a determination that insufficient evidence exists to take action under clauses (i) through (iii).

(C)In the case that the Administrator requests a recommendation of the Advisory Committee under this paragraph, with respect to adding a health condition to the list in paragraph (3), the Advisory Committee shall submit to the Administrator such recommendation not later than 90 days after the date of such request or by such date (not to exceed 180 days after such date of request) as specified by the Administrator. Not later than 90 days after the date of receipt of such recommendation, the Administrator shall, in accordance with subparagraph (D), publish in the Federal Register a proposed rule with respect to such recommendation or a determination not to propose such a proposed rule and the basis for such determination.

(D)The WTC Program Administrator shall, with respect to any proposed rule under this paragraph—

(i)publish such proposed rule in accordance with section 553 of title 5; and

(ii)provide interested parties a period of 30 days after such publication to submit written comments on the proposed rule.

(E)For purposes of this paragraph, the term “interested party” includes a representative of any organization representing WTC responders, a nationally recognized medical association, a Clinical or Data Center, a State or political subdivision, or any other interested person.

(F)Prior to issuing a final rule to add a health condition to the list in paragraph (3), the WTC Program Administrator shall provide for an independent peer review of the scientific and technical evidence that would be the basis for issuing such final rule.

(G)(i)(I)Not later than 1 year after December 18, 2015, the WTC Program Administrator shall request the Advisory Committee to review and evaluate the policies and procedures, in effect at the time of the review and evaluation, that are used to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to support adding a health condition to the list in paragraph (3).

(II)Prior to establishing any substantive new policy or procedure used to make the determination described in subclause (I) or prior to making any substantive amendment to any policy or procedure described in such subclause, the WTC Program Administrator shall request the Advisory Committee to review and evaluate such substantive policy, procedure, or amendment.

(ii)Not later than 1 year after December 18, 2015, and not less than every 2 years thereafter, the WTC Program Administrator shall seek recommendations from the Advisory Committee regarding the identification of individuals to conduct the independent peer reviews under subparagraph (F).

(b)(1)(A)If a physician at a Clinical Center of Excellence that is providing monitoring benefits under section 300mm–21 of this title for an enrolled WTC responder makes a determination that the responder has a WTC-related health condition that is in the list in subsection (a)(3) and that exposure to airborne toxins, other hazards, or adverse conditions resulting from the September 1, 2001, terrorist attacks is substantially likely to be a significant factor in aggravating, contributing to, or causing the condition—

(i)the physician shall promptly transmit such determination to the WTC Program Administrator and provide the Administrator with the medical facts supporting such determination; and

(ii)on and after the date of such transmittal and subject to subparagraph (B), the WTC Program shall provide for payment under subsection (c) for medically necessary treatment for such condition.

(B)(i)A Federal employee designated by the WTC Program Administrator shall review determinations made under subparagraph (A).

(ii)The Administrator shall provide a certification of such condition based upon reviews conducted under clause (i). Such a certification shall be provided unless the Administrator determines that the responder’s condition is not a WTC-related health condition in the list in subsection (a)(3) or that exposure to airborne toxins, other hazards, or adverse conditions resulting from the September 1, 2001, terrorist attacks is not substantially likely to be a significant factor in aggravating, contributing to, or causing the condition.

(iii)The Administrator shall establish, by rule, a process for the appeal of determinations under clause (ii).

(2)(A)If a physician at a Clinical Center of Excellence determines pursuant to subsection (a) that the enrolled WTC responder has a health condition described in subsection (a)(1)(A) that is not in the list in subsection (a)(3) but which is medically associated with a WTC-related health condition—

(i)the physician shall promptly transmit such determination to the WTC Program Administrator and provide the Administrator with the facts supporting such determination; and

(ii)the Administrator shall make a determination under subparagraph (B) with respect to such physician’s determination.

(B)The WTC Program Administrator shall, by rule, establish procedures for the review and certification of physician determinations under subparagraph (A). Such rule shall provide for—

(i)the timely review of such a determination by a physician panel with appropriate expertise for the condition and recommendations to the WTC Program Administrator;

(ii)not later than 60 days after the date of the transmittal under subparagraph (A)(i), a determination by the WTC Program Administrator on whether or not the condition involved is described in subsection (a)(1)(A) and is medically associated with a WTC-related health condition;

(iii)certification in accordance with paragraph (1)(B)(ii) of coverage of such condition if determined to be described in subsection (a)(1)(A) and medically associated with a WTC-related health condition; and

(iv)a process for appeals of determinations relating to such conditions.

(C)If the WTC Program Administrator provides certification under subparagraph (B)(iii) for coverage of a condition, the Administrator may, pursuant to subsection (a)(6), add the condition to the list in subsection (a)(3).

(D)If the WTC Program Administrator publishes a determination under subsection (a)(6)(B) not to include a condition in the list in subsection (a)(3), the WTC Program Administrator shall not provide certification under subparagraph (B)(iii) for coverage of the condition. In the case of an individual who is certified under subparagraph (B)(iii) with respect to such condition before the date of the publication of such determination the previous sentence shall not apply.

(3)(A)In providing treatment for a WTC-related health condition, a physician or other provider shall provide treatment that is medically necessary and in accordance with medical treatment protocols established under subsection (d).

(B)For the purpose of this subchapter, the WTC Program Administrator shall issue regulations specifying a standard for determining medical necessity with respect to health care services and prescription pharmaceuticals, a process for determining whether treatment furnished and pharmaceuticals prescribed under this subchapter meet such standard (including any prior authorization requirement), and a process for appeal of a determination under subsection (c)(3).

(4)(A)The scope of treatment covered under this subsection includes services of physicians and other health care providers, diagnostic and laboratory tests, prescription drugs, inpatient and outpatient hospital services, and other medically necessary treatment.

(B)With respect to ensuring coverage of medically necessary outpatient prescription drugs, such drugs shall be provided, under arrangements made by the WTC Program Administrator, directly through participating Clinical Centers of Excellence or through one or more outside vendors.

(C)The WTC Program Administrator may provide for necessary and reasonable transportation and expenses incident to the securing of medically necessary treatment through the nationwide network under section 300mm–23 of this title involving travel of more than 250 miles and for which payment is made under this section in the same manner in which individuals may be furnished necessary and reasonable transportation and expenses incident to services involving travel of more than 250 miles under regulations implementing section 7384t(c) of this title.

(5)With respect to an enrolled WTC responder for whom a determination is made by an examining physician under paragraph (1) or (2), but for whom the WTC Program Administrator has not yet determined whether to certify the determination, the WTC Program Administrator may establish by rule a process through which the Administrator may approve the provision of medical treatment under this subsection (and payment under subsection (c)) with respect to such responder and such responder’s WTC-related health condition (under such terms and conditions as the Administrator may provide) until the Administrator makes a decision on whether to certify the determination.

(c)(1)(A)(i)Subject to clause (ii):

(I)Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), the WTC Program Administrator shall reimburse costs for medically necessary treatment under this subchapter for WTC-related health conditions according to the payment rates that would apply to the provision of such treatment and services by the facility under the Federal Employees Compensation Act.

(II)For treatment not covered under subclause (i) or subparagraph (B), the WTC Program Administrator shall establish by regulation a reimbursement rate for such treatment.

(ii)In no case shall payments for products or services under clause (i) be made at a rate higher than the Office of Worker’s Compensation Programs in the Department 11 So in original. The word “of” probably should appear. Labor would pay for such products or services rendered at the time such products or services were provided.

(B)(i)The WTC Program Administrator shall establish a program for paying for the medically necessary outpatient prescription pharmaceuticals prescribed under this subchapter for WTC-related health conditions through one or more contracts with outside vendors.

(ii)Under such program the Administrator shall—

(I)select one or more appropriate vendors through a Federal competitive bid process; and

(II)select the lowest bidder (or bidders) meeting the requirements for providing pharmaceutical benefits for participants in the WTC Program.

(iii)Under such program the Administrator may enter into an agreement with a separate vendor to provide pharmaceutical benefits to enrolled WTC responders for whom the Clinical Center of Excellence is described in section 300mm—4 of this title if such an arrangement is deemed necessary and beneficial to the program by the WTC Program Administrator.

(iv)Not later than July 1, 2011, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report on whether existing Federal pharmaceutical purchasing programs can provide pharmaceutical benefits more efficiently and effectively than through the WTC program.

(C)The WTC Program Administrator may modify the amounts and methodologies for making payments for initial health evaluations, monitoring, or treatment, if, taking into account utilization and quality data furnished by the Clinical Centers of Excellence under section 300mm–4(b)(1)(B)(iii) of this title, the Administrator determines that a bundling, capitation, pay for performance, or other payment methodology would better ensure high quality and efficient delivery of initial health evaluations, monitoring, or treatment to an enrolled WTC responder, screening-eligible WTC survivor, or certified-eligible WTC survivor.

(2)The WTC Program Administrator shall reimburse the costs of monitoring and the costs of an initial health evaluation provided under this subchapter at a rate set by the Administrator by regulation.

(3)(A)As part of the process for reimbursement or payment under this subsection, the WTC Program Administrator shall provide for the review of claims for reimbursement or payment for the provision of medical treatment to determine if such treatment is medically necessary and in accordance with medical treatment protocols established under subsection (d).

(B)The Administrator shall withhold such reimbursement or payment for treatment that the Administrator determines is not medically necessary or is not in accordance with such medical treatment protocols.

(d)(1)The Data Centers shall develop medical treatment protocols for the treatment of enrolled WTC responders and certified-eligible WTC survivors for health conditions included in the applicable list of WTC-related health conditions.

(2)The medical treatment protocols developed under paragraph (1) shall be subject to approval by the WTC Program Administrator.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal Employees Compensation Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(A)(i)(I), is act Sept. 7, 1916, ch. 458, 39 Stat. 742. The act was repealed, and the provisions thereof were reenacted as subchapter I (§ 8101 et seq.) of chapter 81 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, by Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 378.

Amendments

2015—Subsec. (a)(6)(B). Pub. L. 114–113, § 302(e)(1)(A), substituted “90 days” for “60 days” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (a)(6)(C). Pub. L. 114–113, § 302(e)(1)(B), substituted “90 days” for “60 days” in two places. Subsec. (a)(6)(F), (G). Pub. L. 114–113, § 302(e)(2), added subpars. (F) and (G).