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IUP Sports Medicine Department
Policies for Parents of Student-Athletes
This section is to provide parents/guardians with
information related to the care of their son(s)/daughter(s) if injured.
You will be able to find information on the services offered to the
student-athlete, medical information that is collected and policies
regarding athletic injury insurance claims/referrals.
Services for
Student-Athletes
Reporting an Injury
Student-Athletes should report all injuries, no
matter how insignificant they may seem, to the Sports Medicine Staff.
Injuries should be reported on the day they occur or during the morning
treatment hours for the specific sport. If injured during practice, the
sports medicine staff will take whatever steps are necessary to expedite
care of the problem. The ATC has final authority on practice
restrictions until the student-athlete is seen by an appropriate
physician, if necessary.
If an emergent injury occurs outside of practice, the
student-athlete should call 911 or report to the Indiana Regional
Medical Center.
Athletes participating in non-traditional season
activities may continue to report injuries to the Sports Medicine Staff
during designated treatment and rehabilitation hours.
Evaluations of Injuries
Evaluations of injuries are done
post-practice and during morning Sports Medicine Clinic hours. If an
injury occurs during a traditional season practice, it will be evaluated
at that time.
It is important for an injury to be
reported in order to be evaluated. By evaluating an injury, a
determination of what the injury might be can be made. Based on this, a
course of treatment can be determined. This can only be done if the
injury is reported and evaluated.
It is important that the
student-athletes communicate honestly with the certified athletic
trainer in order to ensure an accurate evaluation.
Athletes participating in
non-traditional season activities may report to the Clinic for
evaluation during morning treatment hours for evaluation.
Treatment
Treatment of an injury begins once
an injury is evaluated. Treatment is based on each individual case.
No injury is exactly the same, and there is not “cookbook” method to
treatment. Athletes and their injuries respond differently to
treatment, and some may heal faster than others.
Treatment must be consistent to be
effective. Without consistent treatment, the injury will not get
better. It is important that treatment is continued until the
athlete has been discharged by a certified athletic trainer or
physician. Without treating an injury properly, that athlete will not
be able to return to his/her top level of performance.
It is important that the
student-athlete communicate with the members of the athletic training
staff in order to ensure proper progression in treatment. If this is
not done, treatment will not progress, and a referral, if necessary,
cannot be made.
Non-traditional season athletes
will continue treatment within the morning treatment hours.
When a student-athlete is injured
and instructed to report for treatment, they are expected to be there at
the designated time. If a student athlete fails to report, the
student-athletes head coach will be notified. Treatment and
rehabilitation must be done consistently in order for improvement to
occur.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is an important part
of the treatment process. After an injury occurs, the surrounding
muscle must be strengthened, and depending on the type of injury,
flexibility plays an important role. Consistent rehabilitation is
crucial in recovery and returning to play.
Non-traditional season athletes
will continue to follow the morning hours of operation for
rehabilitation.
Physician Referral
Upon evaluation, it may be
necessary to refer a student-athlete to a physician. A student-athlete
may also request to see a physician. For a sport-related injury, this
referral process will be completed by the certified athletic trainer.
This referral involves checking to see which physicians participate with
the student-athlete’s insurance policy. If a student-athlete schedules
his/her own appointment without following the appropriate injury
reporting and referral procedures, IUP refers the right to not pay any
medical bills related to the specific injury, even if it is
sport-related.
Once a student-athlete is referred
to a physician, the student-athlete must be cleared by that physician to
return to full participation. Anytime a student-athlete is seen by a
physician, the IUP sports medicine staff must have documentation of that
visit, and the student-athlete must be cleared by the physician to
return to participation.
Hours of Operation
The athletic training room has
specific hours of operation. This schedule helps to facilitate
evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation, and it allows for pre and
post-practice taping/treatment. Due to the athletic training room being
a busy facility, it is important that these hours are followed. If
there are conflicts with a student-athlete’s schedule, the
student-athlete needs to communicate with the certified athletic trainer
for that particular sport.
The hours of operation are posted
on the bulletin board opposite of the Sports Medicine Clinic door. In
most cases, these hours are also posted outside of each respective
coach’s door. Morning evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation hours
may vary with the schedule of the certified athletic trainer assigned to
that sport. Due to each athletic trainer having to provide coverage for
multiple sports, it is important for these treatment hours be followed.
The Clinic
closes at 6 p.m. daily. Depending on various practice schedules
occurring within traditional practice times, some practices may go past
this 6 p.m. time. The occurrence of the Clinic remaining open past the
6 p.m. time is at the discretion of the certified athletic trainer
covering that particular sport.
Medical Information
All IUP student-athletes are required to provide
medical information to the Sports Medicine Department. The medical
information is used in accordance with NCAA Guidelines requiring
student-athletes to be medically cleared each year prior to
participation.
Athletic Insurance Policies and Procedures
Insurance Coverage of Student-Athlete
Indiana University of Pennsylvania provides a medical
and catastrophic insurance program for its intercollegiate athletes
injured in supervised practices and contests. THIS POLICY, HOWEVER, IS
SECONDARY TO, OR IN EXCESS OF, PERSONAL FAMILY MEDICAL INURANCE
COVERAGE. Bills should not be sent to Sports Medicine Department until
family coverage is applied. Therefore, all medical bills must first go
through the family insurance. Then ALL bills, both paid and unpaid,
must be submitted to Sports medicine Department. In addition, the
“Athlete Medical Insurance information Form” must be fully completed and
returned before any further processing can occur. This form must be
completed whether the student-athlete has insurance coverage or not.
Personal family medical insurance will respond first
to the cost of injuries incurred by the student-athlete during
participation in supervised intercollegiate practices and competitions.
If personal family medical insurance does not cover the student-athlete,
the Explanation of Benefits or Denial from the primary insurance company
must be sent to the Sports Medicine Department before the University
medical insurance will be applied as coverage for eligible items within
the limits of the policy.
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR UNIVERSITY MEDICAL COVERAGE,
STUDENT-ATHLETES MUST ARRANGE ALL SURGERY, TREATMENT, THERAPY, AND CARE
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THEIR PRIMARY INSURANCE CARRIER
AND IUP PROCEDURES. When family primary coverage is HMO, PPO, or a
provider outside of the United States, all medical care must be arranged
so that full coverage applies. This may include returning to the home
state or country for care. Any costs mot covered by insurance may
become the responsibility of the student-athlete and/or his/her parent(s)/guardian(s).
Covered vs. NOT Covered
The University’s medical insurance covers only
injuries resulting from the participation in supervised activities of
the intercollegiate program during the dates of the primary competitive
and designated off-seasons as approved by the Director of Athletics. It
does not cover injuries or illness that are the result of
non-intercollegiate athletic activities or are recurrences of old
injuries which were sustained before participating in the
intercollegiate sports program; nor does it routinely cover orthotics,
allergies, braces or eyewear.
Intramural, club sports, and recreational activities
(non-intercollegiate activities), as well as individual
training/conditioning activities that occur outside the primary
competitive and designated off-season periods, are not affiliated with
Athletic Insurance coverage. However, to assist in clarification,
please be aware that your family medical insurance is the primary
insurance for those activities. If your policy does not cover you
son/daughter, you may wish to consider optional Student Health and
Accident Insurance which is available at a nominal cost to students at
the time of registration. This optional policy may not cover
intercollegiate athletic injuries.
The importance of having some form of personal
insurance coverage cannot be overemphasized. Expenses for medical and
psychological services beyond those covered by our insurance and/or
provided at the Student Health center on campus are the personal
responsibility of the student and his/her family.
To Be Eligible
Every student-athlete MUST have a physical
examination on files in the Sports Medicine Department. This means all
incoming freshmen, transfers, or students that have not competed in
intercollegiate athletics at IUP, must have a physical examination by a
licensed physician prior to being allowed to participate in
intercollegiate athletics. ANY TESTS OR CONSULTATIONS NEEDED TO GAIN
APPROVAL FOR PARTICIPATION ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE
STUDENT/PARENT/GUARDIAN.
Every student-athlete will be required to complete a
medical history questionnaire annually. Athletes may choose to have a
physical yearly, at their own expense. Each candidate should report any
irregularities or recent surgery, fractures or other pertinent medical
information to the Health Center and Sports Medicine Staffs. This would
include any disabilities such as vision, hearing, and oral defects.
FAILURE TO REPORT THESE DISABILITIES WILL RESULT IN THE STUDENT-ATHLETE
ASSUMING FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR INJURIES INCURRED DUE TO PRIOR
DISABILITY.
Students who have not received a current physical or
completed a medical history questionnaire on the University’s form will
not be able to participate in intercollegiate athletics. Should the
student do so, this institution and the athletic department assume no
responsibility for subsequent injury or treatment. STUDENT-ATHLETES WHO
FAIL THE EXAMINATION OR HAVE QUESTIONABLE AREAS ON THE MEDICAL HISTORY
WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY NCAA SPORT UNTIL CLEARED BY A
PHYSICIAN. Once again, all physical examinations, tests and
consultations will be the responsibility of the student/parent/guardian.
Student-Athlete Medical Care
Almost all medical needs
may be treated in the Sports Medicine Clinic. Most general medical
services such as allergy injections, gynecological appointments,
psychiatric services, alcohol and drug counseling, treatment of flu,
colds, and mononucleosis, and other Health Education Services will be
performed at Pechan Health center. If the student-athlete becomes ill,
the Sports Medicine Staff must be informed as soon as possible. This
will allow the staff member to take appropriate follow-up measures and
inform each respective coach as soon as possible.
Student-Athlete
Injury Medical Care
Any certified
intercollegiate athlete who receives an injury during approved and
supervised participation periods/activities must report the injury
immediately to the Sports Medicine Staff to activate insurance
coverage. Please note that the injury must have been incurred in a
practice or contest that was supervised by approved University coaching
staff during a practice/contest period that was approved by the Director
of Athletic according to NCAA regulations, to be eligible for insurance
coverage.
The student-athlete is
responsible to report all injuries to the Athletic Trainer (ATC) as soon
as possible. The ATC will make all of the necessary medical referrals
as indicated. In the event of an emergency due to an athletic injury,
that athlete will be transported to a hospital or medical facility. The
student-athlete at no time should seek outside medical attention for an
athletic injury without prior consultation from either the ATC or
attending medical physician, except in case of emergency. In the case
of HMO and some other insurance policies, the student-athlete may be
required to follow specific referral procedures. This may require the
student-athlete to return home for an appointment with participating
physicians.
This institution and the
athletic department shall not be responsible for any charges incurred
due to examination and/or treatment if these procedures are not
followed. If the student-athlete decides to see a physician/specialist
WITHOUT being referred by the Sports Medicine Department, the
student-athlete may be responsible for all bills incurred. In addition,
if the student-athlete elects a surgeon who is not approved by his/her
primary insurance carrier, he/she is financially responsible. Any
student-athlete seen by an outside physician, must bring athletic
clearance prior to being allowed o participate in intercollegiate
athletics.
Dental Care: The
Athletic Accident Insurance shall be responsible for injuries to the
mouth and to sound, natural teeth incurred while participating in an
official and supervised practice or game. In those sports where
protective devices (mouthpieces) are mandatory and provided for use in
official practice sessions and games, the Athletic Accident Insurance
will assume responsibility ONLY if the protective device is worn by the
student-athlete in accordance with the guidelines set by the
manufacturer. DENTAL CARE NOT DIRECTLY RELATED TO AN ATHLETIC INJURY
SHALL BE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ATHLETE.
Treatment: The
Sports Medicine Clinic hours will be posted for each respective sport in
accordance with each respective ATC. Failure of any injured athlete to
keep treatment and/or rehabilitation appointments will be interpreted as
the athlete’s unwillingness to cooperate with the ATC and/or Medical
Staff for the earliest return to competition. The Head Coach will be
informed of an athlete who fails to cooperate. The Sports Medicine
Staff receives its direction and supervision from the Team Physician.
ALL ATHLETES are required to adhere to the Sports Medicine Clinic rules
and procedures.
Out of Season
Injury: This institution and athletic department shall not assume
any responsibility for care of injuries incurred when the
student-athlete is not actively engaged in an official and supervised
game, formal practice, workout, or travel.
Participation for Injured or Ill Athlete: Decisions on the
availability of an athlete for practice or game competition shall be the
sole responsibility of the members of the Medical Staff and/or the
Sports Medicine Staff. At no time should a coach or other University
employee or volunteer, make a decision on an athlete’s participation
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