To determine whether an individual qualifies for EEOICPA benefits, the claimant must have an associated illness that resulted from workplace exposure to radiation or toxic substances. Employees, contractors and subcontractors are all eligible for benefits. Some accepted/covered illness may included: Beryllium sensitivity, a specified cancers (Leukemia, lung, bone, renal, thyroid, breast, esophagus, stomach, pharynx, small intestines, pancreas, bile ducts, gallbladder, salivary gland, urinary bladder, brain, colon, ovary, and liver), a non-specified cancer (multiple myeloma and lymphomas), carcinoid tumors, carcinoid syndrome and monoclonal gammapathies, chronic silicosis resulting from exposure to silica, COPD, silicosis, asbestosis, pulmonary fibrosis, scaroidosis, pneumoconiosis, pleural plaques and more.
Covered Illnesses
Understand the Codes
It's important to understand the codes and underlying diagnoses on your card to determine which costs your EEOICPA benefit will cover.
Any medical costs related to your "accepted/covered illnesses" will be covered by the Department of Labor. That includes doctors' appointments, medications, in-home care, and more. Illnesses not listed on your white card must be paid for with an alternate payment method.
Consequential Illness
In some instances, you may have an illness you think is from your exposure, but it isn't listed on your card, or you could have a condition that was caused by the treatment of an accepted illness. For example, if you developed cataracts as a result of chemotherapy treatment for a covered cancer diagnosis, the cataracts would then be considered a consequence of that cancer treatment. Cataracts would then become eligible for addition to you card, covering all related costs. By submitting a new claim, you can get the corresponding codes to your card.
Sample List of Medical Conditions with Likely Consequential Illness
Disorders secondary to Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD) or its treatment due to steroid use (such as Prednisone)
Airflow obstruction/wheezing (asthma-like presentation of CBD), Right heart failure, Cor pulmonale, Pulmonary hypertension, Respiratory infections (Pneumonia, Acute Bronchitis), Spontaneous Pneumothorax, Deconditioning secondary to chronic lung disease, Joint Aches (this is a symptom), Hyperuricemia, Gout, Hypercalcemia/hypercalciuria, Granulomatous Hepatitis, Skin Nodules/Ulceration, Aggravation of sleep apnea due to hypoxemia of CBD, Weight gain, Elevated blood pressure, Elevated Cholesterol and abnormal lipids, Liver function abnormalities, Blood sugar change, Diabetes, Eye/vision problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, and visual acuity changes, Gastrointestinal conditions such as gastric reflux or peptic ulcers, Psychiatric or psychological conditions such as depression or anxiety, Skin problems such as thrush or other fungal infections, Metabolic changes such as folic acid depletion, Decreased immune response leading to infections and viruses, Decreased bone density leading to osteoporosis/osteopenia
Disorders secondary to Silicosis
Hypoxemia, Right heart failure, Cor pulmonale, Pulmonary Hypertension, Deconditioning secondary to chronic lung disease, Progressive Massive Fibrosis, Silicotuberculosis
Disorders secondary to prednisone treatment
Cataracts, Glaucoma, Visual acuity changes, Diabetes Mellitus, Osteoporosis, Osteopenia, Gastric reflux, Peptic ulcers, Elevated blood pressure, Elevated cholesterol, Abnormal lipid profiles, Sleep disorders, Weight gain, Myopathy, dermal atrophy, Increased intracranial pressure
Other disorders
Oral thrush and other fungal infections secondary to inhaled steroids, immunosuppression, Folic acid depletion secondary to Methotrexate, Infections due to immunosuppression (bacterial and viral), Post-herpetic neuralgia secondary to Herpes Zoster, Flare due to immunosuppression, Tinnitus – this condition is typically synonymous with sensorineural hearing loss.