Fw: Concerning explant and Rupture - from the FQ

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----- Original Message -----

From: " Kathi " <pureheart@...>

Sent: Monday, December 23, 2002 8:48 AM

Subject: Concerning explant and Rupture - from the FQ

> EXPLANTATION PAYMENT OPTION

> Q28. What is the Explantation Payment Option?

> A28. If you had your Dow Corning breast implants removed anytime after

> December 31, 1990

> and within 10 years of when the Plan goes into effect, then you may be

> eligible for a

> $5,000 explantation payment for domestic claims. If you were or are

> reimplanted with

> silicone gel breast implants, then you cannot recover this explant

> money. You can

> recover the explant money if you were reimplanted with saline breast

> implants.

> (For more information on this topic, go to pages 3 and 78 in the

> document entitled

> ÒDisclosure StatementÓ)

> Q29. How long will the Explantation program last?

> A29. Claimants have 10 years after the Plan goes into effect to have

> their Dow Corning breast

> implant removed and to file documents supporting this claim.

> Q30. What documents do I need to file to get an explantation payment?

> A30. You do not need to file anything at this time. If the Plan is

> approved, you will be

> provided an Explantation Form which you must complete. Detailed

> instructions will be

> given to you on what to do and where to send your documents.

> (For more information on this topic, go to pages 3 and 78 in the

> document entitled

> ÒDisclosure StatementÓ)

> Q31. Do I have to be explanted before I can get the Explantation

> payment?

> A31. Yes.

> Q32. What if I can't afford to be explanted? How can I ever participate

> in the Explantation

> Payment Option?

> A32. The Plan provides a procedure to allow you and the Claims Office to

> make arrangements

> with your doctor or hospital in advance so you can be explanted and have

> the payment for

> the procedure go directly to the health care provider.

>

>

> RUPTURE PAYMENT OPTION

> Q33. What is the Rupture Payment Option?

> A33. If one or more of your Dow Corning silicone gel breast implants has

> ruptured, you may

> be eligible for the Rupture Payment. Only claims for ruptured Dow

> Corning breast

> implants will be paid. Also, it must be a rupture of a silicone gel

> implant, or the gel por-

> tion of a double-lumen implant. Ruptured saline implants are not

> eligible.

> Rupture claims for domestic claimants that are approved will receive a

> $20,000 Base

> Payment and, if enough money is available, an additional $5,000 Premium

> Payment.

> Q34. What is the deadline for the Rupture Program?

> A34. All documentation of the ruptured Dow Corning silicone gel breast

> implant must be

> submitted by the second anniversary of the date the Plan goes into

> effect.

> Q35. What documents do I need to file to get a Rupture Payment?

> A35. You do not need to file anything at this time. If the Plan is

> approved, you will be

> provided with a Rupture Form which you must complete. Detailed

> instructions will be

> given to you on what to do and where to send your documents. Generally,

> you will need

> your operative report and, if available, a pathology report.

> Q36. What is the definition of " rupture " ?

> A36. The definition of rupture is identical to that used in the Revised

> Settlement Program.

> Your documents must describe a tear or other opening in the envelope

> surrounding the

> silicone gel lumen.

> (For more information on this topic, go to pages 4 and 78-79 in the

> document entitled

> ÒDisclosure StatementÓ)

> Q37. Do I have to be explanted to recover a Rupture Payment?

> A37. Yes. However, the Plan recognizes a limited exception if a

> claimantÕs doctor documents

> a specific serious chronic medical condition that precludes explantation

> surgery and

> documents by MRI that the implant is ruptured.

> (To read more about this exception, go to page 79 in the document

> entitled ÒDisclosure

> StatementÓ)

>

>