We are pleased to announce the addition of the Behavioral Health Program to the Colorado Firefighter Benefits Trust. Beginning immediately, we have automatically extended coverage for all Colorado firefighters to receive reimbursement for behavioral and mental health treatment that is not already covered by any other employer offered programs. Coverage has been extended to cover spouses and children of firefighters for family and marriage counseling. This extension of coverage is defined under SB 22-002, which was signed into law in 2022, and is available as long as funding lasts from the state. Our website will be kept with up-to-date information on remaining funds.

Whether your department already has an existing EAP or behavioral health plan in place and need supplemental coverage, or if you have no pre-existing treatment plan, we are now accepting claims to support your department and staff. There is no cost to participate as long as the limited funding lasts. As a fire service operation, you are enrolled automatically, per SB 22-002, to start using these benefits today.

We are reimbursing deductibles, co-pays, and out-of-pocket behavioral health expenses not covered by existing fire operations’ benefit programs. We will also reimburse for additional treatments and therapies, even after your current program benefits run out. If you do not currently have a behavioral health provider, we have provided a list of providers that specialize in First Responders and trauma support below.

Services must be paid by the participant up-front, with requests for the reimbursement filed as a claim. Full details on how to file a claim, and recommended providers, are found on our website at cfhtrust.com/behavioral/.

There are an extensive number of behavioral and mental health support and treatment options, with more being developed each year as research develops. These are some of the most common, and most effective treatment types that are available for firefighters and first responders. These are also services that the Behavioral health Program commonly provide reimbursement for.

• Talk Therapy: This is a form of psychotherapy that involves talking to a mental health professional to address emotional, psychological, and mental health issues. This type of therapy can help firefighters and first responders process traumatic events they may have experienced on the job and develop coping mechanisms.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This type of therapy is designed to help people identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to mental health issues. CBT can be effective in treating anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in firefighters and first responders.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): This type of therapy is a form of talk therapy that involves eye movements to help people process and heal from traumatic experiences. It has been shown to be effective in treating PTSD in first responders.
• Group Therapy: This type of therapy involves talking to a mental health professional and other individuals facing similar issues. Group therapy can provide support, validation, and practical coping strategies for firefighters and first responders dealing with mental health challenges.
• Peer Support Programs: This type of support program involves pairing up first responders and firefighters with peers who have undergone similar experiences. This type of program can be beneficial in creating a supportive community and promoting healing.
• Resiliency Training: This type of training program focuses on building resilience and emotional well-being in firefighters and first responders. It can teach individuals skills for managing stress, handling traumatic experiences, and developing a support network.

It’s important to note that mental health treatment is not one-size-fits-all and that the best approach may vary from person to person. It’s important for firefighters and first responders to work with mental health professionals to determine the most effective treatment plan for their individual needs.

It is true that firefighters and first responders are at a higher risk of developing mental health issues due to the nature of their work. However, there are many effective mental health treatment options available, including talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, group therapy, peer support programs, and resiliency training. These options can help individuals improve their mental health and well-being and continue to serve their communities.

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THYROID CANCER NOW COVERED BY THE COLORADO FIREFIGHTER HEART AND CANCER BENEFITS TRUST
Program addition is a win-win for firefighters and employers addressing cancer risk in the fire service

DENVER – August 23, 2022 – The Colorado Firefighter Heart and Cancer Benefits (CFHC) Trust Committee has voted to add thyroid cancer coverage for all firefighters beginning July 1, 2022.

The vote reversed a decision in 2020 by the CHFC to deny coverage for thyroid cancer due to a lack of scientifically creditable data, the CHFC said at the time. The organization decided to add coverage after three thyroid cancer claims were filed in three years (up from one every 10 years historically).

With recent studies showing both male and female firefighters at a higher risk for thyroid cancer, likely due to poor sleep and working with endocrine disrupting chemicals, the Trust surveyed its members. There were 44 out of 46 responses supporting the addition of thyroid cancer coverage, representing 55% of participating members. Support came from a wide range of fire department sizes, including departments with five or fewer firefighters to large departments with over 100 firefighters. The responses represent approximately 1,724 eligible firefighters out of the 3,446 firefighters in the CFHC Trust’s Cancer Program.

“The addition of thyroid cancer to our program is certainly another major step forward in helping our firefighters beat the cancers that disproportionately impacts their health as members of the fire service,” said Mike Frainier, president of the Colorado Professional Firefighters and Chair of the CFHC Trust Committee.

The Trust Committee consists of four fire chiefs, one representative from the Colorado Professional Fire Fighters, two HR professionals, one risk manager, and one public official. The CFHC Trust allows participating fire organizations to opt out of the presumption of cancer for workers’ compensation. To date the Trust has approved roughly 95% of claims covering the brain, digestive, genitourinary, hematological, and skin cancers.

About the CHFC Trust

The CFHC Trust was created to aid the state’s fire professionals and agencies contain the human and financial burdens created by serious health issues by providing mandated cardiac and voluntary cancer benefits to Colorado firefighters. The Trust program was designed with input from the Colorado Professional Fire Fighters, Colorado State Fire Chiefs, the state Division of Insurance, and municipal, county, and special district fire agencies.

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Thyroid Cancer Now Covered by the Colorado Firefighter Heart and Cancer Benefits Trust The names of companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

For more information, press only:

Alex Terlecky

aterlecky@mcgriff.com

Cfhtrust.com

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Expiration of the Firefighter Heart and Fitness Grant funds, allocated between 2017 and 2019, has been extended to June 30, 2022.

Firefighter Heart and Fitness Grant funds can be used to provide reimbursement for costs associated with participation in Colorado State University’s CORE program or a similar basic level of heart health testing. Funds can also be used for cancer screenings or cancer screening expenses. Full program details, including the online reimbursement applications, can be found on our website.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at READ MORE

The Colorado Firefighter Heart and Cancer Benefits (CFHC) Trust Committee voted unanimously to add breast cancer coverage for all firefighters beginning January 1, 2021. The discussion around the adoption of breast cancer began after a firefighter appealed the denial of a breast cancer claim. Previously, breast cancer was not one of the five types of cancer covered by the Trust’s program. Through the determined work of Ms. Tracy Post supported by local 2889, Colorado Professional Firefighters and the work of Dr. Weaver, of John Hopkins University working with the IAFF consulted with the CFHC Trust. The committee reviewed numerous cancer studies and solicited multiple expert opinions. The industry typically requires overwhelming amounts of research in substantial quantity and duration in order to substantiate a direct causal relationship to endorse a coverage addition. While that amount of research is not yet available, the Trust Committee, felt they should act now.

The CFHC Trust has the statutory authority to expand its coverage in situations where the committee is able to reasonably determine that other cancers should be included. In this case, the committee weighed “statistical credibility” against the numerous small case studies that suggest a relationship between breast cancer and the fire service.

Mike Frainier, President of the Colorado Professional Firefighters and member of the CFHC Trust Committee stated that, “the addition of breast cancer represents the Trustees’ acknowledgment of a growing trend of well documented, smaller studies. We believe that research suggests the direction larger statistically credible studies will go.”

With this decision, the committee also seeks to maximize inclusivity in Colorado’s fire service by recognizing that over the past several decades the percentage of female firefighters has risen from 2% to 7%. While the data may not be relevant scientifically, the Trust Committee felt it was a leading indicator pointing toward greater gender diversity in the future.

The Trust Committee consists of four fire chiefs, one representative from the Colorado Professional Fire Fighters, two HR professionals, one risk manager, and one public official comprising four women and five men. The CFHC Trust was formed under Part 4 of Article 5 of Title 29, Colorado Revised Statutes, and allows participating fire organizations to opt out of the presumption of cancer for workers’ compensation. To date the Trust has approved roughly 95% of the claims covering the brain, digestive, genitourinary, hematological, and skin cancers.

About the CHFC Trust

The Colorado Firefighter Heart and Cancer Benefits Trust was created to aid the state’s fire professionals and agencies contain the human and financial burdens created by serious health issues by providing mandated cardiac and voluntary cancer benefits to the state’s firefighters.

The Trust program was designed with input from the Colorado Professional Fire Fighters, Colorado State Fire Chiefs, the state Division of Insurance, as well as individuals from municipal, county, and special district fire agencies. For more information, contact cfhtrust@mcgriff.com.

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