Lana Oconnell
The issue of college athlete injuries and insurance coverage has been a highly debated topic, with questions arising over who should be financially responsible for medical bills. While college athletes are unpaid, they are required by the NCAA to have healthcare insurance, but the NCAA does not mandate colleges to pay for healthcare costs. This has resulted in confusion and financial strain for athletes and their families, with some facing significant out-of-pocket expenses. The NCAA provides a Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program, but it is up to the schools to decide on coverage for the deductible. Additionally, the Exceptional Student-Athlete Disability Insurance Program offers insurance for career-ending injuries, but it has limitations and high premiums. The NCAA's approach to student-athlete healthcare has been criticised, with calls for improved transparency and support for athletes' short and long-term health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| NCAA insurance plans | Inadequate, don't cover long-term injuries |
| NCAA rules | Athletes required to have basic health and accident plan |
| NCAA rules | Athletes can lose their scholarships after being injured |
| NCAA rules | Athletes generally responsible for long-term healthcare for injuries sustained |
| NCAA rules | Athletes can pay for loss-of-value insurance coverage through loans |
| NCAA rules | Athletes can use Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program with a $90,000 deductible |
| NCAA rules | Athletes can use Exceptional Student-Athlete Disability Insurance Program |
| NCAA rules | Athletes can use post-eligibility injury insurance coverage from Aug 1, 2024 |
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What You'll Learn
Who pays for the medical costs of student athlete injuries?
The NCAA requires all college athletes to have healthcare insurance, but it does not mandate colleges to pay for the healthcare costs of athletes. The NCAA provides a Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program with a $90,000 deductible, but it does not require colleges to provide insurance coverage for the deductible—it is up to the schools to decide.
In 2014, it was revealed that some colleges were using the SAF, a multimillion-dollar fund disbursed by the NCAA to Division I athletes, to pay for insurance. For example, Florida State University covered the reported $60,000 cost of a $10 million insurance package for its star quarterback, 2013 Heisman winner Jameis Winston.
If a student-athlete gets injured, their personal or family insurance is considered the primary insurance for paying for the athlete's injury costs. This is because the term "student-athlete" was created so that colleges wouldn't be held liable for sports-related injuries.
However, there have been cases where colleges have paid for student-athlete injuries. For example, Duke University had an $8 million policy for Zion Williamson, a basketball player, to be triggered if he fell below 16th in the NBA draft.
There is also the Exceptional Student-Athlete Disability Insurance Program, which provides high-profile athletes with insurance in case they suffer a career-ending injury. However, players must prove they will have high professional draft stock and pay high premiums.
The NCAA will offer member schools post-eligibility injury insurance coverage for student-athletes beginning on August 1, 2024.
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The NCAA's insurance plans for student athletes
The NCAA offers insurance plans for student athletes, which can be used to cover health expenses. The NCAA will begin offering member schools post-eligibility injury insurance coverage for student athletes from 1 August 2024. This is in addition to the permanent total disability policy option for certain elite athletes that the NCAA created in 1990. This policy provides excess catastrophic injury coverage for the most serious and costly-to-treat sports injuries.
Colleges can pay for insurance by tapping into a multimillion-dollar fund known as the SAF, which the NCAA disburses to Division I athletes. The SAF can also be used for academic support services, educational supplies, and travel. However, there are dilemmas over the most appropriate use of limited SAF funds, such as whether to purchase generous policies for a small number of athletes or more limited policies for a larger number.
Some colleges have chosen to use the SAF to purchase insurance for their student athletes. For example, Florida State University covered the $60,000 cost of a $10 million insurance package for its star quarterback, 2013 Heisman winner Jameis Winston, who now plays for the New Orleans Saints. Duke University also had an $8 million policy for Zion Williamson, a basketball player who was later selected first overall in the NBA draft by the New Orleans Pelicans.
There are also companies that specialize in providing insurance for student athletes, such as Dissinger Reed, which has been offering insurance plans for colleges and universities since 1982. They can provide plans for international students and students studying abroad, with medical maximums starting at $500,000 and up to unlimited coverage.
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How colleges decide on medical coverage for athletes
Colleges are not required to provide health insurance for their athletes, and the decision of whether to do so is left to the individual institutions. This has led to a wide variation in the medical coverage provided to athletes, with some universities guaranteeing medical care only during an athlete's time at the school, while others provide it for an extra year.
The primary provider of a college athlete's insurance is often the student's family insurance, and in the event of an injury, the athlete's parents' insurance is considered the primary source of payment for their medical costs. This is because the term "student-athlete" was created to ensure colleges wouldn't be held liable for sports-related injuries.
However, colleges can also tap into a multi-million-dollar fund known as the SAF, which the NCAA disburses to Division I institutions to assist athletes. This fund can be used for various purposes, including academic support services, educational supplies, travel, and health expenses. The NCAA also provides excess catastrophic injury coverage for the most serious and costly-to-treat sports injuries and has recently announced that it will offer post-eligibility injury insurance coverage for student-athletes beginning in August 2024.
The decision of how to allocate funds for insurance coverage can be complex, as colleges must decide whether to provide more extensive coverage for a smaller number of athletes or more basic coverage for a larger group. Additionally, some states are pushing for greater transparency in the recruiting process, with Connecticut and California implementing Student-Athletes Right to Know laws, which require schools to disclose what medical expenses are covered.
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The impact of injuries on a student athlete's future career
Sports-related injuries among student athletes are a significant concern, with the potential to impact their future careers and lives. While colleges can tap into a multi-million-dollar fund, the SAF, to assist Division I athletes with health expenses, the allocation of these funds raises ethical dilemmas. For instance, should a college use its SAF funds to purchase generous insurance policies for a select few athletes or more basic policies for a larger number of athletes?
The physical toll of sports on student athletes cannot be overstated, with an estimated 210,000 injuries occurring annually among 500,000 college athletes competing under the NCAA. These injuries range from minor to catastrophic and even fatal. Some athletes are forced to retire prematurely due to injuries, while others see their professional prospects diminished. For example, Stanley Doughty, a top defensive lineman at the University of South Carolina, saw his NFL career cut short by a serious spinal injury. Similarly, Marcus Lattimore, a football star at the same university, retired without playing a game due to knee injuries.
The risk of injury is inherent in sports, and certain sports, by their very nature, carry a higher risk of contact and subsequent injury. Athletes in individual sports, such as boxing or taekwondo, may undergo highly repetitive training regimes, leading to a higher risk of overuse injuries. Additionally, athletes exposed to a higher training load, including high intensity and a high number of hours of training, are more susceptible to injuries. The long-term consequences of these injuries are not yet fully understood, but they can be career-ending or life-altering.
To mitigate these risks, colleges and universities are increasingly recognizing the importance of providing insurance coverage for their student athletes. The NCAA's decision to offer post-eligibility injury insurance coverage for student athletes beginning in 2024 is a positive step. This will provide financial support for athletes who suffer injuries during their college careers, helping to cover medical expenses and potentially reducing the long-term financial burden.
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The push for transparency and reform in student athlete healthcare
Intercollegiate athletic programs have been called upon to eliminate any appearance of conflict of interest by embracing transparent accountability to outside observers. This push for transparency and reform in student-athlete healthcare is driven by the need to prioritise the health, safety, and well-being of student athletes, ensuring that athletic success and financial gain do not compromise their academic and personal growth.
The current system, where the NCAA does not mandate colleges to pay healthcare costs for athletes, has led to a lack of standardisation in the type and cost of healthcare provided to student athletes, with decisions sometimes influenced by coaches or administrators rather than medical professionals. This has resulted in a developing crisis, with athletic trainers overworked and understaffed, and a growing number of student athletes struggling with their mental health.
In response, there is a growing consensus for the creation of an athletic medicine review board to oversee all programs and services that impact the physical and mental health of student athletes. This board would promote operational transparency and the implementation of best practices in injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, ensuring that medical personnel are empowered to make decisions in the best interest of the student athlete.
Additionally, there is a push for more transparency in the recruiting process, with a few states already requiring colleges to disclose more information to prospects. This includes the availability of resources for health, safety, and well-being, as well as the funding committed to athletic healthcare, to ensure that institutions are held accountable for their claims that these areas are their primary priority.
To address the shortage of athletic training healthcare professionals, emerging options such as virtual or telehealth can provide solutions for institutions with limited local resources. Furthermore, conferences like the Big 10 are starting to include medical insurance as a benefit for student athletes, and some universities are required to cover healthcare costs for sports-related injuries even after a student leaves. These steps towards transparency and reform aim to protect the health and welfare of student athletes and ensure their academic and personal growth.
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Frequently asked questions
No, colleges are not required to pay for student athlete injuries. The NCAA requires every student athlete to have personal insurance. However, colleges are allowed to pay for student athlete injuries by tapping into a multi-million dollar fund known as the SAF, which the NCAA disburses to institutions to assist Division I athletes.
The SAF is a multi-million dollar fund that the NCAA disburses to institutions to assist Division I athletes. It has a wide range of allowed uses, such as paying for academic support services, educational supplies, travel, and health expenses.
The NCAA provides two health and accident plans: the Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program and the Exceptional Student-Athlete Disability Insurance Program. The Exceptional Student-Athlete Disability Program provides high-profile athletes with insurance in case they suffer a career-ending injury.
Yes, colleges do pay for student athlete injuries in practice. However, it is important to note that the NCAA allows each school to decide how to handle each injury and each one-year renewable scholarship.
