Newswise — The National Football League and NFL Players Association's newly created NFL Player Joint Replacement Benefit Plan has selected The Mount Sinai Medical Center among only two hospitals in New York City and just fourteen across the entire country to assist eligible retired players in need of joint replacement surgery, it was announced today.
The medical facilities, carefully chosen for their expertise, high-quality service and reputation, will make available specialized, coordinated care to players covered by this new program. The program provides a common application process to assist players with gaining access to the institutions.
"Our team of orthopaedic specialists is obviously very happy to have been included among the medical institutions that will be helping the retired NFL players who have devoted their careers to competing in one of the most physically demanding sports there is," remarked Dr. Evan Flatow, Chairman of Mount Sinai's Department of Orthopaedics. He continued, "Our team of joint replacement experts, led by Dr. Michael Bronson, uses the latest techniques in minimally invasive surgery as well as innovative approaches such as bone-sparing resurfacing methods, to help active patients cope with arthritis."
The plan also will provide financial assistance to all players, regardless of their financial situation, to cover the cost of the operations. For players not covered by insurance and who cannot pay for the procedure, additional financial assistance will be available from the newly created NFL Player Care Foundation. Players eligible for assistance from the NFL Player Care Foundation will not be responsible for the cost of either the joint replacement surgery or post-operative rehabilitation.
Manor Care, a leader in short-term post-acute rehabilitation services, with more than 275 centers nationwide, has been selected to provide post-surgery rehabilitation and physical therapy to players who qualify for financial assistance from the NFL Player Care Foundation. The costs of these services will be paid for by the NFL Player Care Foundation.
This foundation and the joint replacement program are two of several initiatives developed by an NFL Alliance represented by the NFL, NFLPA, Hall of Fame and NFL Alumni Association. Formed in May, the "Alliance" is looking at new ways to address medical needs of retired players, including joint replacements, cardiovascular health programs and assisted living arrangements.
Funding for the NFL Player Care Foundation includes $10 million from NFL owners added to an existing pool of $7 million in Alliance funds. This initial $17 million commitment will be supplemented by on-field player fine money and additional contributions from the NFLPA; other Alliance members, and other interested retired player groups.
The Department of Orthopaedics at The Mount Sinai Medical Center is committed to the treatment and prevention of physical handicaps in all patients, the furthering of orthopaedic knowledge through research, and to the teaching of medical students and orthopaedic residents. The entire staff is deeply involved in the accomplishment of these goals.
For further information or to arrange an interview with Dr. Evan Flatow, Dr. Michael Bronson, or other members of the Department of Orthopaedics at Mount Sinai specializing in joint replacement as well as hip and knee replacement, shoulder surgery, spinal surgery, hand and upper extremity repair, and foot and ankle surgery please call (212) 843-8073 or email [email protected].
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