| NFL Player Care Foundation |
|
| The NFL Player Care Foundation is an independent organization established to improve the quality of life for our retired players through financial grants and research. Since its inception in 2007, the Foundation has used a portion of its $17 million endowment to underwrite medical research and national health screenings. Equally important is its role in providing monetary grants to qualified NFL alumni who are experiencing financial hardships, including grants to eligible players who need financial assistance in paying for the costs of Player Care Plan programs such as joint replacement, spine treatment or neurological care. As a way to consolidate and provide a centralized financial resource to former players, the Player Care Foundation recently expanded to include the former Dire Need Fund. Applications are accepted at the NFL Alumni office. |
|
| Benefit Highlights |
|
| "88 Plan" Dementia Benefits |
| Named for Pro Football Hall of Famer and NFLPA legend John Mackey, the 88 Plan is the first program of its kind in this country. The 88 Plan provides retired players with up to $88,000 per year for medical and custodial care resulting from dementia, including Alzheimer’s. Funding for dementia research is also being provided. More than $7 million has been distributed to suffering players and their families through this benefit since its inception (September 2007). |
|
|
| NFL Player Care Plan |
|
| Assisted Living Benefits |
| Three designated Assisted Living Facilities have been selected to meet the sometimes special needs of vested former players. Negotiated discounted rates and special services are made available to former players at these leading national assisted living providers – Brookdale Senior Living, Inc., Belmont Village LP, and Silverado Senior Living, Inc. |
|
| NFL Player Joint Replacement Benefit |
| In October 2007, the NFL added a joint replacement benefit to its Player Care Plan. This benefit is designed to assist all vested, retired players in need of knee, hip or shoulder replacements. The benefit assists players in gaining access to a nationwide network of excellent healthcare facilities and coordinated care. The plan also reimburses eligible players for up to the $5,250 towards the cost of joint replacement surgery. |
|
| Spine Treatment Program |
| Added to the Player Care Plan in June 2009, the NFL spine treatment program makes available spine specialists at five hospitals to evaluate and treat spine-related conditions among retired players. The program will assist players with coordinated care at excellent healthcare facilities nationwide. Each hospital provides an orthopedic spine surgeon who serves as a program director and coordinates the services of a team of health care professionals in the evaluation and, if warranted, treatment of eligible former players. The team includes a neurosurgeon and a physiatrist. Eligible players who cannot afford treatment may apply to the NFL Player Care Foundation for a grant to cover some or all of the costs of treatment. |
|
| Neurological Care Program |
| Added to the Player Care Plan in March 2010, the NFL Neurological Care Program makes available neurological specialists at five medical centers to evaluate and treat possible neurological conditions among retired players. The program will assist players with coordinated care at excellent healthcare facilities nationwide. Each center will have available to retired NFL players a team of specialists, led by a neurologist who will serve as a program director. Eligible players who cannot afford treatment may apply to the NFL Player Care Foundation for a grant to cover some or all of the costs of treatment. |
|
| Discount Prescription Drug Benefits |
| The Discount Drug Card provides immediate discounts for prescription drugs at any pharmacy in the United States participating in the Card Provider’s network (currently CIGNA). This card, provided to Retired Players and their Dependents free-of-charge, is accepted at more than 57,000 retail pharmacies nationwide, including all major chains. |
|
| Vested Inactive Life Insurance |
| A Life Insurance Benefit up to $25,000 is available to all vested, inactive players who have not yet reached age 55 or retired under the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Player Retirement Plan. |
|
| Medicare Supplement Benefit |
| The Plan has contracted with the Medicare Insurer (currently United Health Care) to make available a range of Medicare supplement insurance plans to eligible Retired Players. The Plan will contribute a fixed dollar amount (currently $100) each month towards the applicable premium for this insurance. |
|
|
| Disability Benefits |
| (under the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Player Retirement Plan and the NFL Player Supplemental Disability Plan) |
|
| Dramatically Increased Line of Duty Benefits Eligibility |
| As of April 2008, the current window of 48 months was expanded to allow players a Line of Duty eligibility window equivalent to the number of credited seasons played. For example, a player who played for 10 years in the league will have up to 10 years to apply for Line of Duty benefits. |
|
| Developing Alternatives to Partial Disability Benefits |
| In addition to the expanded window for applying for the Line of Duty benefits, other alternatives are being developed for partial disability benefits for players who do not qualify for T&P; and who are no longer eligible for current Line of Duty benefits. |
|
| Inactive T&P; Benefit Doubled |
| The inactive Total & Permanent disability benefit was increased from $20,000 per year to $40,000 per year (Effective April 1, 2008). |
|
| Tripled Widow and Surviving Children Benefits |
| For a player who dies before his retirement benefits commence, the minimum death benefit paid to his widow and any surviving minor children has been tripled. Minimum monthly death benefits now range from $3,600 to $9,000. |
|
| Reconsideration for Players Receiving Social Security Disability |
| Players denied for T&P; disability benefits in the past, and later found to be disabled by Social Security standards are now eligible for reconsideration under the disability plan. |
|
| Addition of a Medical Director for Initial Claims |
| The Bell/Rozelle Retirement Plan has retained a Medical Director to consult and assist with the Disability Initial Claims Committee and the Retirement Board. This should reduce the number of “deemed denials” and expedite the processing of appeals. |
|
| Establishment of Physician Panels for More Coordinated Care |
| Teams of physicians are being established in Arizona, California, Florida and Texas (where there is the highest concentration of retired players) in order to better coordinate retired player medical care. These physician panels, consisting of experts in orthopedic and other pertinent fields, will create a one-stop shop for players requiring comprehensive services. Physician panels in other major metropolitan areas will be added in the future. |
|
| E-Ballot Appeals Voting for Retirement Board |
| Whenever possible, the Retirement Board now attempts to decide appeals via e-ballots, so that decisions do not necessarily have to wait until the next scheduled Retirement Board meeting. |
|
| Reduced Continuation Reviews on T&P; Benefits |
| Under most circumstances, players receiving T&P; benefits now only have to go through a continuation review every five years (as opposed to the previous three). |
|
| Retroactive Payments |
| For applications received on or after April 1, 2008, an award of a Total & Permanent Disability benefit under the Plan is paid retroactive to the first day of the month that is two months prior to the date of application. |
|
|
|
