Coverage/Policy Updates

Workers’ Compensation for Other Volunteers – Not Applicable to Volunteer Firefighters

Volunteer Firefighters’ Benefits Law (VFBL) is statutory law in New York and specifies coverage and compensability for active member volunteer firefighters while performing firefighting activities “in the line of duty.” Ultimately, VFBL is administered by the New York Workers’ Compensation Board. VFBL is subject to all rules, regulations, and claims administration processes as mandated by […]

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Important Update Regarding Your VFBL Policy for 2025

We’ve got great news for Fire Districts of NY Mutual Insurance Co., Inc. (FDM) policyholders: Effective Oct. 1, 2024, you and your members will benefit from more competitive rates and lower VFBL (Volunteer Firefighters’ Benefits Law) premiums.* That’s right; thanks to your efforts on health and safety, our policyholders’ claim experience is excellent and improving! 

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New medical bill review & pharmacy benefits management vendor

As a reminder, Fire Districts of NY Mutual Insurance Co. has established a new partnership for medical bill review and pharmacy benefits management. Beginning September 1, 2023, FDMNY has transitioned these services to ManageAbility, Inc. for medical bill review and Prodigy Care Services, LLC for pharmacy benefits management. Each applicable fire district should have received

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NY Volunteer Fire Departments Gear Up for Annual Recruitment Weekend

Volunteer fire departments across New York State will open their doors and fire truck bays to local residents during the weekend of Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27 as part of the fourth annual RecruitNY statewide volunteer firefighter recruitment effort.  RecruitNY is designed to help increase volunteer membership which has suffered over the last

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Volunteer Firefighting & “Junior Firefighters”: What Your Department Should Know*

Perhaps no other area of the fire service law has more misconceptions and greater pitfalls than the sponsoring of youth programs within a volunteer fire department. This article is the first of a two-part series intended to identify and explain the differences in the types of youth programs recognized in the volunteer fire service in

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NEW EMFs for all NYS Employers (2023)

We have an important insurance update to share regarding all Workers Compensation and/or Volunteer Firefighter Benefits Law (VFBL) policyholders in New York State. This applies to all insurance companies and providers doing business in New York State. The New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board (NYCIRB) has implemented a new calculation this year to determine the

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Important announcement regarding your workers compensation and VFBL coverages relating to the Covid-19 virus

Fire Districts of New York Mutual Insurance Company (FDM) is committed to our insureds and providing Workers Compensation (W/C) and Volunteer Firefighters Benefit Law (VFBL) coverage needed not only difficult times like this, but every day. Our policies cover for exposure to infectious diseases to any of your members who respond to a call your

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Lung Cancer Coverage

There have been questions raised recently regarding Lung Cancer being covered under VFBL, specifically, Section 11-c. Currently, there are 2 sections to 11-c, one addresses lung cancer, the other, newer one, addresses HIV. As it stands now, the section reads as follows: “ VFBL Section 11-C provides a presumption that any condition or impairment of

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