Black Lung Clinic – Norton

Ballad Health's Norton Community Hospital has been caring for coal miners for generations

Today, the hospital’s Black Lung Clinic continues that legacy by offering a certified program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. The clinic provides essential screenings for individuals who have worked around coal and rock dust..

What is black lung disease?

Black lung disease, also known as coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, is a lung condition caused by inhalation of coal and rock dust.

Black lung symptoms

Some of the symptoms of black lung disease may include, but are not limited to:

• Chronic cough
• Shortness of breath
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• General breathing difficulties

Symptoms vary by person. Some individuals may experience more severe or noticeable symptoms than others.

How we treat black lung

Norton Community Hospital’s Black Lung Clinic offers comprehensive, federally approved screening services for individuals exposed to coal or rock dust. These services include:

• Assistance with filling a federal black lung application
• Chest X-ray interpreted by a NIOSH-certified B-reader
• Spirometry (breathing test)
• Exercise stress testing
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Detailed history and physical exam by a board-certified pulmonologist

Our team is committed to thorough, compassionate care. All diagnostic testing is performed under the direction of board-certified pulmonologists who specialize in lung health.

Federal Black Lung benefit diagnostic testing

We provide diagnostic testing and evaluations to help determine whether you qualify for federal black lung medical benefits. These exams are used to support claims and determine eligibility for a U.S. Department of Labor black lung medical card.

Note: The Black Lung Clinic doesn’t provide treatment services such as rehabilitation or prescription medications, but our team can help connect patients to those resources at Norton Community Hospital or other Ballad Health facilities. 

Referrals

To refer someone to the Black Lung Program, answer a few simple questions, and we will follow up directly with the provider and patient.
For assistance in filing a claim, call 276-439-1366 for U.S. Department of Labor exams.

Assistance with filing a claim

For anyone interested in filing a claim for federal black lung benefits, please contact:

Sullivan Horne
(276) 439-1366
sullivan.horne@balladhealth.org