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Medical Policy

ELIGIBILITY FOR ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION

Before any athletes begins participation with an athletic team they must meet the following standards.

  1. All athletes are required to have an entrance physical and/or a past M.U. athletic physical on file in the Infirmary before they may be allowed take part in any supervised pre-season conditioning programs.
  2. All athletes must have a signed Release of Information, Acceptance of Risk, and Athletic Insurance Policy Card on file before they may practice.
  3. All athletes participating in Intercollegiate Athletics must have had a physical examination performed within the guidelines established by the health service before their first official practice as specified by the NCAA.

Every effort will be made to schedule physicals before they begin supervised conditioning. Once sport physicals have been scheduled no athlete may participate in conditioning after that date.

INSURANCE: ATHLETIC ACCIDENT INSURANCE

The Athletic Department carries athletic injury insurance for the athlete's protection in case of injuries sustained during supervised practice or games. Medical expenses are reimbursed on an excess basis over any payable Group Insurance.

  1. The first $1,000 is the responsibility of the student, his/her parents or their insurance carrier. Our policy will not duplicate any benefits payable by the athletes own insurance.
  2. The University policy becomes primary coverage after the $1,000 deductible if there is no other collectible Group plan in force.

     PREVIOUS MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Financial coverage will be provided (if costs exceed $1000.00) for any injuries received during intercollegiate practice or competition. Health Service physicians will recommend professionals to athletes with previous problems upon request (For example: gynecologist, urologist, podiatrist, etc.). However, the Athletic Department IS NOT financially responsible.

  1. Any previously incurred medical condition will not be covered.
  2. Failure to report such previously incurred injuries or illnesses relieves the Athletic Department of all liability, in the event the athlete sustains a subsequent injury or reinjury to the affected part, provided the original injury was a contributing factor to the subsequent injury in the opinion of the Team Physician.
  3. Loss of one of any paired organ, (eye, kidney, testicle, etc.) shall disqualify one from participation on any intercollegiate team sponsored by the Athletic Department unless the athlete receives written permission to participate from the Team Physician and has signed a waiver outlining the potential consequences of injury to the remaining organ.

HEAD COACHES RESPONSIBILITY

In order that the medical section be informed at all times with regard to the student-athlete, it will be necessary for the head coach to strictly adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. Delivery of a roster of their team delineating returnees and new athletes to the Health Center and Athletic Training room. This should be no later than two weeks for the fall sports and one week for the winter and spring sports prior to scheduled physicals. This gives the Health Center adequate time to confirm that new athletes have entrance physicals on file and allows review of returnee's files. Failure to meet this time line may result in athletes or whole teams not being cleared or given physicals until the reviews can be completed.
  2. Any deletions and additions to the approved roster made during the sport year must be reported to the athletic trainers immediately.
  3. It is the Head Coaches' responsibility to assure that all athletes on their roster have had a physical prior to athletic participation. The Head Coach, personally, will assume all liability for those athletes participating without a physical.

MEDICAL POLICY

  1. The Team Physician is in charge of the medical program in the Athletic Department. The University Athletic Trainers assist him. Decisions regarding the availability of an athlete for practice or game competition shall be the sole responsibility of the M.U. athletic medical staff.
  2. Athletes desiring medical attention other than that approved of by the Millersville University Medical Staff for injuries may do so. Athletes who seek non-referral medical care must be cleared by the Millersville University Athletic Medical Staff prior to returning to athletic participation. In addition, written and/or verbal consultation must be received by the Medical Staff from the non-referred physician.
  3. Coaches' are prohibited from making medical appointments for a Millersville University athlete without the consent of the athletic medical staff and/or informing a PROSPECTIVE student athlete that Millersville University will be responsible for medical services for injuries NOT incurred at Millersville University.
  4. Emergencies: In instances of emergency and when the Athletic Medical Staff cannot be contacted, the athlete may obtain medical attention on his/her own, however, the Athletic Medical Staff must be notified by the athlete or coach the following day.

GENERAL POLICY

The Athletic Department will not be responsible for payment of medical expenses for athletes due to the following reasons:

  1. Injuries incurred from some activity other than one supervised by our own coaches.
  2. Any required surgery where the medical condition is not a condition of athletic participation. (E.g. appendectomy, pregnancy, etc.)

REFERRAL POLICY for INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETES TO SPECIALISTS

  1. Except for an emergency, all referrals for intercollegiate athletes should be made through the Health Services by having Staff Athletic Trainer consult with the Medical Director.
    • In an orthopedic emergency, or at a time when the Medical Director is not available, referral should be made to a board certified orthopedic surgeon, preferably those that have a direct interest in the care of athletic injuries.
    • In other types of emergencies, or at a time when the Medical Director is not available, referral should be made to a specialist who is board certified in their particular area.
    • If a board-certified specialist is not available at the time then referral to St. Joseph or Lancaster General Emergency Room is appropriate.
  2. If an emergency occurs out-of-town, and it is necessary to see a physician immediately, consult the physician on site or transport to the nearest emergency room via ambulance or car whichever appropriate. The athlete and/or coach should notify the athletic medical staff the following day.
  3. An athlete's right to choose the physician of their choice or of their parent's choice will be respected but then he/she assumes total responsibility for his/her care. In addition, written and/or verbal consultation must be received by the Medical Staff from the non-referred physician.
  4. The Athletic Department carries athletic injury insurance for the athlete's protection in case of injuries sustained during supervised practice or games. Medical expenses are reimbursed on an excess basis over any payable Group Insurance. The first $1,000 is the responsibility of the student, his/her parents or their insurance carrier. This policy will not duplicate any benefits payable by other Group Insurance. However, the University policy becomes primary coverage after the $1,000 deductible if there is no other collectible Group plan in force.
  5. Coaches shall not interfere with medical care in any way. Treatment will be provided by the athletic trainer, Health Services' staff or consultants selected by them. If any coach is dissatisfied with treatment then they should discuss this with their respective Athletic Director who will in turn address the Medical Director.
  6. Promises that medical payment will be provided should not be made by any member of the coaching staff. If there are any questions in this regard direct them to the staff athletic trainers or to the Health Services' secretary.
  7. Any intercollegiate athletic injury deemed severe enough to incur $1000.00 in medical bills should be reported to the Health Service secretary as soon as possible after the injury. Failure to do so may result in long delays in payment or denial of payment.
  8. The Medical Director will reserve the right of final decision regarding the availability of Intercollegiate Athletes for play.

POST PARTICIPATION

The Athletic Department will not be responsible for any medical charges incurred by an athlete upon completion of his/her athletic eligibility unless those charges are for further CONSULTATION OF AN INJURY SUSTAINED WHILE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN A SANCTIONED INTERCOLLEGIATE SPORT.

ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOM FUNCTION

To assist all Millersville University Intercollegiate athletes in the prevention and care of athletically associated injuries.

TREATMENT AREAS

These will be the areas for sport treatments:

  1. Morning treatments for all University athletes in the will be conducted in the Pucillo Athletic Training Room.
  2. Afternoon treatments will be conducted in the Stadium, and Pucillo Athletic Training Rooms depending on seasonal sport needs.
  3. Treatments of athletes in these facilities will be conducted by athletic training staff personnel only.

ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOM HOURS

  1. The athletic training facilities are available for use for all athletes during working hours as set by each athletic training room. Arrangements for use of rehabilitation equipment will be made on an appointment basis through the athletic training room personnel.
  2. The athletic training room will be open approximately 20 minutes following the end of organized practice (if the time is outside normal working hours).
  3. Athletic Training room personnel are not responsible to remain for athletes wishing to work out on their own or who are unsupervised.

ATHLETIC TRAINER COVERAGE FOR PRACTICE

  1. All scheduled practices will be covered by athletic training room personnel ONLY AFTER 24 HOURS notification by the coaching staff or athletic director only. We will not acccept notification from athletes, athletes from other teams, managers or alumni.
  2. Weekend practices will be covered after (2) day's notification by the coaching staff only. This means notification by Thursday morning. Notification respecting these time limitations will guarantee athletic training room personnel coverage.
  3. If the team members have not showed up by the time practice is scheduled to start then the student or staff athletic trainer will leave.

The athlete is responsible for insuring sufficient time for any pre-practice, taping, treatments or evaluations. Athletes will be dealt with on a "first come first serve" basis in conjunction with the respective practice times. Emergency situations will be given top priority.

TREATMENT OF NON-INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETES

Treatment of non-intercollegiate individuals may be done on a referral basis from their own physician provided that the individual meets the definition of an athlete as stipulated by the state board of physical therapy. Athletic training room personnel reserve the right to refuse facility/equipment use of non-intercollegiate athletes.

TRYOUTS FOR ATHLETES NOT CURRENTLY ENROLLED

Students trying out who are not currently enrolled at Millersville University must meet the following criteria:

  1. Signed waiver of liability, by parent or guardian if a minor.
  2. Show proof of medical insurance.
  3. Show proof of a physical within the last 6 months.

The coach of the team that the student is trying out for must present this information to the athletic training staff at least one week prior to tryouts for approval. Failure to do so disqualifies that student from trying out.

HIGH SCHOOL EVENTS

These events will be covered by athletic training room personnel upon request of the Athletic Director. Treatments will be given only at the written request of the athlete's physician. Emergencies will be directed to St. Joseph or Lancaster General at the expense of the athlete or their institution. Staff athletic trainers will be compensated for these events.

SPORT CAMPS AND FUND RAISING EVENTS

Coverage of sport camps and/or fun raising events is not the duty of the athletic training staff. Coverage of these events will be compensated for by the camp director or event organizer. The use of athletic training supplies will be reimbursed to the athletic training budget.

RECOMMENDATION FOR PREGNANT ATHLETES

In the interest of maintaining the good health of women participating in athletics, the Athletic Training Program makes the following recommendation
in the event of pregnancy:

  1. That an athlete who suspects she is pregnant has this verified as soon as possible by a physician of her choice. She should avoid all medications and x-rays until certain she is not pregnant.
  2. That continued participation in athletic activities during pregnancy is evaluated by the athlete's physician.
  3. That the athlete's active participation, particularly in contact sports, be discontinued at the end of three (3) months of pregnancy, or as recommended by her physician.
  4. That the athlete notify her Coach, Athletic Trainer and/or Team Physician of the pregnancy as early as possible, regardless of whether the pregnancy will be carried to term or terminated. *
  5. That if the athlete miscarries or chooses to terminate the pregnancy, she should not return to participating in athletics until such participation is approved by her physician.

*An athlete is not required to inform a Coach, Athletic Trainer or Team Physician of a pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, miscarriage, or recovery therefrom; however, doing so may be in the athletes best interest. If an athlete does notify her Coach, Athletic Trainer and/or Team Physician of her pregnancy, such persons will not notify anyone else of the pregnancy unless the athlete gives her prior consent to such notification.