Janice Lozano
The issue of insurance coverage for student athletes has been a contentious topic, with questions arising over who is responsible for paying the often-exorbitant medical costs resulting from sports-related injuries. While the NCAA requires all college-level student athletes to have health insurance, it does not mandate that colleges cover these healthcare costs, leaving many student athletes and their families with substantial financial burdens. This has sparked debates about the ethical treatment of student athletes, who generate substantial revenue for educational institutions, and the need for more comprehensive insurance policies to protect them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who pays for student athletes' insurance? | The primary provider of the college athlete's insurance is often the student's family insurance. Colleges are not required to provide player health insurance. |
| NCAA's role | The NCAA does not mandate colleges to pay the healthcare costs for athletes. It does, however, require all college-level student-athletes to carry health insurance. |
| NCAA's insurance program | The NCAA has a Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program with a $90,000 deductible. It also has a Group Basic Accident Medical Program. |
| Post-eligibility insurance | The NCAA will offer member schools post-eligibility injury insurance coverage for student-athletes from Aug 1, 2024. |
| Concussion coverage | The NCAA insurance does not cover medical expenses for concussions, which often take years to manifest. |
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What You'll Learn
Student athletes' insurance costs
The cost of insurance for student athletes is a complex and often contentious issue. While the NCAA requires all college-level student athletes to have health insurance, it does not mandate that colleges pay for the associated healthcare costs. This means that student athletes are often left to cover these expenses themselves or rely on their family's insurance plans. This can result in significant financial burdens, especially in cases of catastrophic injuries or long-term conditions like concussions.
The NCAA introduced a policy to address this issue, providing medical care for athletically related injuries for up to two years after a student-athlete leaves the institution or until they qualify for the NCAA Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program. This program offers coverage for injuries exceeding $90,000 in medical expenses, but it is not a comprehensive solution as it does not address injuries that take longer to manifest or the financial loss associated with an athlete's inability to work. Additionally, the NCAA's insurance program has a high deductible, and schools are not required to provide coverage for this deductible, leaving students and their families with substantial out-of-pocket expenses.
Some colleges and universities do provide insurance coverage for their student athletes, but this is not a requirement. A 2016 survey by the NCAA found that 30% of its member colleges do not provide any health insurance for their athletes, and even when coverage is provided, it may not be sufficient to meet the deductible limits of the NCAA's Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program. As a result, parents and students need to carefully consider the additional risks associated with different sports and may need to purchase supplemental insurance to ensure adequate protection.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) allows young adults to remain on their parents' health insurance until the age of 26, which can help student athletes meet the NCAA's minimum insurance requirements. However, it is important for parents to reassess their coverage limits and consider the potential impact of increased premiums when adding their student-athlete children to their plans.
While the NCAA's insurance policies aim to protect student athletes, there are concerns that they fall short of providing adequate financial support. Student athletes put their physical well-being on the line, and in return, they receive a free education. However, when injuries occur, the financial burden often falls on the athletes and their families, leading to debates about whether compensation or improved insurance coverage is warranted.
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NCAA insurance policies
The NCAA requires all college athletes to have healthcare insurance but does not mandate colleges to pay the healthcare costs for athletes. This means that student-athletes often have to pay for insurance themselves. If a student-athlete gets injured, their personal or family insurance is considered the primary source for covering injury costs. This can result in families facing high medical bills, which has led to criticism of the NCAA, with some arguing that the organisation uses student-athletes as cash cows.
The NCAA does, however, provide a Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program with a $90,000 deductible. This policy covers medical care for athletically related injuries for up to two years after a student-athlete leaves their institution or until they qualify for coverage under the NCAA's program. Despite this initiative, the policy does not address long-term injuries that can take years to manifest, such as concussions. As a result, student-athletes may be left with significant financial burdens for future medical expenses.
To address this issue, the NCAA introduced a Post-Eligibility Insurance (PEI) plan in 2024, which provides coverage for injuries sustained during a student-athlete's time at their school and continues to offer protection for up to two years after they graduate or leave. This plan aims to prevent financial instability for student-athletes due to sudden medical bills, allowing them to focus on their careers and personal growth.
In addition to the PEI, disability insurance is also available to student-athletes. This type of insurance provides reimbursement for financial loss due to an accident, injury, or illness that results in the insured's inability to work. Short-term disability insurance provides income replacement for a specific period, while long-term disability insurance offers continued support after the expiration of short-term benefits.
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Post-eligibility injury insurance
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has faced criticism for its failure to provide adequate insurance coverage for student-athletes, leaving them vulnerable to the long-term financial implications of sports-related injuries. This is particularly concerning given the significant revenue generated by the NCAA from student-athlete performances.
In response to these concerns, the NCAA introduced a policy to cover medical expenses for student-athletes after they leave the institution. This policy mandates that the institution provide medical care for athletically related injuries for at least two years or until the former student-athlete qualifies for the NCAA Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program. However, this policy falls short of addressing injuries that persist or manifest after the two-year period, such as concussions, leaving student-athletes uncertain about how they will manage the financial burden of long-term medical care.
To address this gap, the NCAA announced in August 2023 that it will offer member schools a post-eligibility injury insurance option for student-athletes, starting in August 2024. This new initiative is a positive step towards protecting student-athletes from the financial risks associated with sports-related injuries that may extend beyond their collegiate careers.
While the NCAA's post-eligibility injury insurance program is a welcome development, it is essential to recognize that it does not absolve colleges and universities from their ethical responsibility to support student-athletes facing long-term medical challenges. Currently, colleges are not mandated to provide health insurance for their athletes, and a 2016 survey revealed that 30% of Division I schools do not offer any health insurance coverage for their athletes. This lack of institutional support can leave student-athletes and their families burdened with substantial medical expenses, as illustrated by the example of families paying $30,000 to $35,000 in medical bills following sports-related injuries.
To comprehensively address the issue of student-athlete insurance, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. Firstly, colleges and universities should be encouraged or mandated to provide comprehensive health insurance coverage for their student-athletes, ensuring that they are not merely treated as revenue-generating assets. Secondly, the NCAA should continue to enhance its post-eligibility injury insurance program, addressing gaps in coverage for long-term or delayed-onset injuries. Lastly, disability insurance, which insures against a student-athlete's inability to make a living due to an injury or illness, should be explored as a supplementary form of protection. By combining institutional, NCAA, and insurance-based solutions, student-athletes can be better protected from the financial risks associated with sports-related injuries, both during and after their collegiate careers.
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Disability insurance
Student athletes are not insured by the NCAA, and neither are they mandated to insure the athletes. In the case of an injury, the student's family insurance is considered the primary insurance for paying 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, the NCAA does offer a financing program that doesn't have to be paid until the athlete signs a big contract or leaves school. If the athlete doesn't go pro, the premiums come due immediately. The NCAA also offers an individual disability insurance program to student-athletes it predicts will be highly drafted in their chosen sport. Called Exceptional Student-Athlete Disability Insurance, this program offers protection against a student-athlete's inability to make a living as a result of an accident, injury, or illness.
There are two types of traditional disability insurance: short-term and long-term. Short-term disability insurance is used to replace the insured's income for a specific, short period, usually providing the insured with one-half to two-thirds of their pre-disability income for 13, 26, or 52 weeks. Long-term disability insurance typically commences after short-term benefits expire, and these benefits can pay anywhere from half to two-thirds of lost wages.
Petersen International Underwriters (PIU) also provides high-limit college athlete disability insurance and draft protection disability insurance. This plan can be purchased by a student athlete who shows professional potential. In the event of a career-ending injury or permanent total disablement, this plan will protect the student against a loss of future earnings as a professional athlete.
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Primary insurance providers
While the NCAA requires all college athletes to have healthcare insurance, it does not mandate colleges to pay for the healthcare costs of athletes. As a result, the primary insurance provider for student athletes is often the student's family insurance. This means that if a student athlete gets injured, their family insurance is considered the primary insurance for paying for their injury costs. This has led to families paying tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills.
There are some colleges that provide insurance coverage for student athletes. A 2016 survey by the NCAA found that 30% of its member colleges do not provide any health insurance for their athletes. However, at the D2 level, 80% of the schools surveyed were providing some form of secondary insurance for athletes.
There are also insurance providers that cater specifically to student athletes. Dissinger Reed, for example, provides NCAA insurance for student athletes, offering maximums of up to $90,000 for NCAA institutions and $25,000 for NAIA schools, NJCAA, and 2-year institutions. They also offer a customized mental health solution that allows student athletes access to licensed therapists through Talkspace. Academic HealthPlans (AHP) is another example of a company that provides student health insurance programs for colleges and universities. They have created Academic SportsCare, which provides basic athletic accident and catastrophic injury insurance coverage.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, student-athletes typically have to pay for their own insurance. The NCAA requires all college-level student-athletes to carry health insurance, which can be through their parents' insurance, a private student plan, or through the university. However, the NCAA does not mandate that colleges pay for the athletes' healthcare costs, and colleges are not required to provide health insurance to their athletes.
Student-athletes can be covered under their parents' insurance until they turn 26 years old due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). They can also purchase private student health insurance plans or be covered through their university's health insurance plan, if offered. Additionally, the NCAA offers a Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program with a high deductible, and some colleges provide secondary insurance for athletes.
The NCAA's insurance policies have been criticised for not adequately protecting student-athletes. The Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program may not cover long-term injuries such as concussions, and the NCAA does not require colleges to cover the deductible. Student-athletes may struggle to afford medical expenses, and their families may be left with significant financial burdens.
