Varsity athletes and health insurance
The post below about Kenny Demens prompted me to wonder (or re-wonder) about the arrangement for student-athletes and the cost of medical procedures.
- Does the university pay for health insurance through a typical provider? Or do they cover the cost of surgery / maintenance suffered through participation in a varsity sport out of pocket?
- Do universities with affiliate hospitals have an advantage in this regard?
- Are there any benefits different for non-scholarship athletes and/or former athletes?
- Is the practice regulated by the NCAA?
If anyone can provide some answers, I would be much obliged.
Thanks.
February 7th, 2011 at 6:34 PM ^
We should ask that poster whose sister "saw Craig Roh in the hospital" the week of the opener (wearing his jersey in the OR, natch).
February 7th, 2011 at 6:38 PM ^
February 7th, 2011 at 8:11 PM ^
I think it would be a good way to launder money to pay players. If I were rich, I'd have a go at it.
February 8th, 2011 at 9:50 AM ^
So tattoos could be covered by health insurance if they were deemed a medical procedure and performed at UM Hospital. Or something like that.
February 7th, 2011 at 6:40 PM ^
My favorite flavor is purple.
February 7th, 2011 at 7:08 PM ^
Best. Post. Ever.
February 7th, 2011 at 6:50 PM ^
I remember almost immediately filling out a form that asks you to list your insurance provider. If the student didn't have one I believe they were still covered under the University but had to fill out some other form. I had insurance so I am not quite sure what the other form entailed.
February 7th, 2011 at 7:21 PM ^
I know that at some schools insurance operates similar to most high schools. The school will cover any medical expenses incurred due to participation in school sponsored athletics that are not covered by the individual athletes own health coverage.
February 7th, 2011 at 9:28 PM ^
Yes, this is the case where I work (JMU). Student-athletes get supplemental insurance that covers any sports-related injury.
February 7th, 2011 at 10:42 PM ^
I pariatlly torn a ligament in the 2nd to last game of my career and required surgery. I remember the trainers asking me for my parent's insurance information. FTR, I was a 4 year walk-on.
February 7th, 2011 at 10:47 PM ^
- Does the university pay for health insurance through a typical provider? Or do they cover the cost of surgery / maintenance suffered through participation in a varsity sport out of pocket?
The University provides a secondary liability insurance for all student athletes. This is pretty much done through the U of M health system. If the student athlete is injured during practice, a game, event related to the sport, or wear and tear directly caused by the sport the student athlete gets it covered. The surgery will be done by U of M staff physicians and orthopedic surgeons. U of M health system will bill your primary care provider. If your primary care provider denies the coverage, the U of M athletic department covers it as a part of their liability insurance. U of M will also incur the cost of rehabilitation billed in the same manner.
- Do universities with affiliate hospitals have an advantage in this regard?
Not quite sure on this one. Maybe if you rephrase the question, I can answer it.
- Are there any benefits different for non-scholarship athletes and/or former athletes?
Benefits are the same for all student athletes. If you are a football player, gymnast, or cheerleader you are covered as long as you are an athlete on a varsity team as defined by the athletic department. Club varsity sports such as lacrosse are not covered.
- Is the practice regulated by the NCAA?
I don't know the answer on this one. I imagine most schools take out liability insurance for all their student athletes, but it may not be mandated.
February 8th, 2011 at 12:07 AM ^
Do you think that if you weren't injured early in your career, you would have started over Tom Brady your senior year? : )
February 7th, 2011 at 11:03 PM ^
- Does the university pay for health insurance through a typical provider? Or do they cover the cost of surgery / maintenance suffered through participation in a varsity sport out of pocket?
Student atheletes do not have to pay a dime for any surgery (sports related) or injury treatment (sports related) or sickness (anything) while playing a varsity sport at michigan
- Do universities with affiliate hospitals have an advantage in this regard?
Helps when the head of orthopaedics (or an olympic surgeon (bruce miller)) takes time out of his schedule to go to Schembechler Hall and examine/treat athletes (all sports) a couple of times a week. Also when a world class surgery center and rehab center (domino farms and umich hospital) is pretty damn close, helps as well. Schembechler hall always has a general physican (or two) on hand between 8am to 4pm(ish) mon-fri to treat walk-in athletes or for checkups. Which is huge (if you have ever been to UHS).
- Are there any benefits different for non-scholarship athletes and/or former athletes?
If you are a "former" athelete due to medical reasons, you're still covered insurance and schlorship wise. Non-scholarship athletes are covered as well, as long as they are on team.
- Is the practice regulated by the NCAA?
For prescriptions YES, they are noted and recorded in your file, Schembechler acutally has some prescription meds on hand (i.e. naxopren, azithromycin, etc.) others you fill at UHS, which the athletic department picks up this bill as well.
February 7th, 2011 at 11:48 PM ^
I destroyed my ankle in a game playing D-III JV Hoops. The school's insurance covered everything that my parent's did not... Total cost was upwards of $20,000 for everything and my parents did not have to pay a dime out of pocket. I'd imagine a large D-I school would be similar