A PERFECT FIT —  Thomas McCorry, an orthotist, checks an elbow brace for  Betty Clausen. Both are PEF members who work at Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw. — Photo by HHH photographer George Mattei

Helen Hayes Hospital spans rehabilitation spectrum
New contract benefit takes the financial ‘ouch’ out of orthotic, prosthetic services

By DEBORAH A. MILES
Most people in good health don’t think about the emotional, physical and financial burden associated with physical disability. That is, until they or a loved one becomes physically challenged as a result of an auto accident, stroke or crippling disease.

PEF members who work at Helen Hays Hospital (HHH) not only think about it, they devote their time to providing intensive rehabilitation. And they are delighted the 2003-2007 PS&T contract has a new benefit to ease the financial burden for PEF members who need orthotic and prosthetic services. 

Under the Empire Plan, all orthotic and prosthetic services and devices are now fully covered for eligible members and covered dependents when they receive these services at HHH. That includes no co-pay.

“It is fantastic the new contract specifically addressed the issues of orthotics and prosthetics,” said PEF member Thomas McCorry, an orthotist and resident prosthetist at HHH.

“These devices can be quite expensive,” McCorry said. “We provide a very high standard of service. And people have come to us fully aware they may bear a greater portion of the financial burden.”

Worth the wait
Union members have been pushing for the new benefit for the last five years, according to McCorry. 

Betty Clausen, an admissions nurse at HHH, fell last October and fractured her right elbow, leaving her with a limited range of motion. One of the HHH orthotists made her a special brace.
“Because the new benefit didn’t take effect until January 1, 2005, I had to pay 20 percent of the cost,” she said. “This is a great benefit for people now that everything is covered.”

McCorry said an articulated ankle foot orthoses (AFO), “the bread and butter of the industry,” accounts for 70 percent of the rehabilitation devices they provide. “An AFO enables people, especially someone who suffered from a stroke, to walk in a smooth, energy efficient pattern,” he said.

And because of the new contract benefit, members who suffer a stroke and need an AFO won’t have to worry about the expense.

“The total cost for an AFO would be approximately $1,085. Before, the insurance paid 80 percent of this now; it will be fully covered,” McCorry said.

A renowned reputation
HHH has a renowned reputation with an array of services that span the rehabilitation spectrum, and has attracted patients from around the globe. The hospital in West Haverstraw specializes in rehabilitation with the goal of providing patients with an improved quality of life. It also has a prosthetic and orthotic satellite office in the Atrium Building on the Saint Francis Hospital Campus in Poughkeepsie.

“We really have the ability to put the patient’s needs first and foremost,” McCorry said. “People seek us out because we provide excellent service and see a variety of cases.” 

The HHH patient roster ranges from people who received injuries from motor-vehicle accidents to those who suffer from strokes, polio, Lou Gehrig’s disease, spinal trauma, neurological disorders and other crippling conditions.

For more information, visit the HHH Web site at www.helenhayeshospital.org. or call 1-845-786-4535.

Empire plan covers wheelchairs, walkers 
PEF members in the Empire Plan who need to purchase or rent a wheelchair or walker can also get a financial break through the Home Care Advocacy Program. They are considered durable medical equipment, so members can obtain these items at very little or no out-of-pocket cost.

For more information, call the Empire Plan at 1-877-769-7447 and select the Home Care Advocacy Program option.

The Communicator May 2005
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