JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. —— The Missouri Fire Fighters Critical Illness Pool (MFFCIP) today said it has started a new cancer benefits program for firefighters in the state.
With a streamlined claims process, the MFFCIP program will help cover out-of-pocket expenses for 17 nationally recognized cancers, including breast, testicular and thyroid, three cancers normally excluded in workers’ compensation presumption programs.
The landmark MFFCIP program was created after SB45 was signed into law by Missouri Gov. Parson in 2021, providing $5 million in financial assistance. The law followed a two-year analysis by the MFCIPP of the 14 states that have less expensive and less litigious programs than typical workers’ compensation coverage for firefighter cancer diagnoses.
The MFFCIP program was designed by the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri, State Council of Fire Fighters, Missouri Association of Fire Chiefs, workers’ compensation insurance providers, insurance agents as well as representatives from municipal, county and special district fire agencies.
“The support we received from all of the organizations involved was truly unprecedented,” said Eureka Fire Protection District Chief Greg Brown. “We can’t thank them enough for creating a program designed to support our valued firefighters, many of whom unfortunately have to battle cancer along with heroic careers spent battling fires.”
MFFCIP provides cancer coverage and benefits to eligible firefighters. With MFFCIP, firefighters don’t have to worry about delayed compensation, denied claims, or eligibility investigations.
MFFCIP has streamlined the claims process so payments start within 10 days of a cancer diagnosis. No investigation into the cause of cancer is required upon confirmation of eligibility – a stark difference between the MFFCIP program and the traditional workers’ compensation claims process.
MFFCIP is a member-owned organization.
About the MFFCIP
The Missouri Fire Fighters Critical Illness Pool was created to aid the state’s fire professionals and agencies to contain the human and financial burdens created by serious health issues by providing cancer benefits to the state’s firefighters. The program was designed with input from the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri, State Council of Fire Fighters, Missouri Association of Fire Chiefs, as well as individuals from municipal, county and special district fire agencies.
