Scope of Medical Coverage

Washington University provides comprehensive medical services for the student-athletes while participating in the intercollegiate athletics program. This arrangement is designed for the presence of constant medical supervision of the activities associated with the athletic program. The University operates a fully equipped sports medicine facility with therapeutic modality, exercise, and rehabilitation equipment.

Certified athletic trainers, working under the direction of physicians, are the primary health care providers responsible for the prevention, evaluation, care, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. The athletic trainers see the injured athletes on a daily basis and provide services throughout the recovery process. Athletes are able to access these services on a daily basis in the sports medicine facility without personal charge.

Individuals with significant injuries are referred through a network of team physicians associated with Washington University School of Medicine. The services regularly provided include administering pre-season physical examination screenings, scheduled visits to evaluate injured athletes on campus, and home football game coverage. All services provided on campus are at no cost to the student-athlete.

When an athlete requres additional medical services at the physician's office or hospital, then they are billed through their personal insurance. Students are usually required to obtain surgical treatment that is provided by their primary insurance. Any cost associated with an injury occurring outside a department sponsored activity is the responsibility of the athlete.

Athletic Insurance Procedures

Although the University is not legally responsible for the cost of care related to injuries incurred in voluntary participation in the intercollegiate athletic program, the University does provide medical and dental services within reasonable boundaries. Any medical and / or dental services associated with the care of such injuries must be arranged through the athletic trainer or team physician.

The insurance coverage of the University and the Department of Athletics operates on the basis that the health and accident insurance carried by the student and / or the student's parents is the primary coverage and will be applied first for medical, dental, and hospital services. The University insurance will be applied secondary.

Finally, the athletic department will pay for any charges that are not covered by either insurance, with no cost to the athlete. It is the athlete's financial responsibility for the cost of treatment and rehabilitation in cases where the services are arranged for outside of the Washington University Athletic Department. Medical insurance benefits through the Washington University student health policy are exempt for athletic injuries.

Arrangements have been made during registration, with the various medical service providers, to bill each insurance company directly but occasionally you may still receive a bill. Please forward any statement benefits from your insurance and charges from providers so we can verify the correct billing and initiate the payment procedure. If you received payment from your insurance company, then you should sign the checks over to Washington University so that it can be applied to the appropriate account.