University of Minnesota Athletics
Incoming Student-Athletes
Dear Incoming/Transfer Student-Athletes and Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to the University of Minnesota! The Athletic Medicine Department provides comprehensive medical care to over 700 Gopher Student-Athletes with a staff of 20 Certified Athletic Trainers. We work collaboratively with Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Team Physicians through M Health and University of Minnesota Physicians. Student-Athletes have access to massage therapy services, chiropractic services, physical therapy, and other allied health care specialties throughout their athletic careers.
Pre-Participation ExaminationPrior to any participation in practice, competition, or team activity with a University of Minnesota Intercollegiate athletic team, they must complete a Pre-Participation Examination administered by an athletic trainer and a team physician. University of Minnesota Team Physicians are the providers that will determine medical clearance for athletic participation, incoming student-athletes DO NOT need to see a non-U of M Athletic Department physician PRIOR to arriving on campus unless they are specifically directed to by the athletic trainer. Each sport has 1 or more athletic trainer that works specifically with that team and they will be contacting incoming student-athletes as they prepare to come to campus.
Medical billsIn the event of an athletic related injury, all medical bills will be paid through a coordination of benefits with the student-athlete's private insurance acting as primary coverage. The University of Minnesota is only responsible for the balance on athletically-related injuries. We will manage and facilitate medical care for some non-athletic related issues, but we do not financially cover pre-existing or non-athletic related injuries or conditions. For example, medications or office visits for any pre-existing condition (i.e. asthma, eating disorders, etc.) are not covered by the University of Minnesota. We will not be liable for these services. In these cases, the parents/guardians will be responsible for the balance once the primary insurance has paid.
We encourage you to discuss your insurance policy's coverage with your son/daughter prior to the start of the year and provide them with an updated insurance card to carry with them at all times. In December, an e-mail will be sent to your child asking if there have been any changes in their insurance. We will ask them to forward the e-mail to you. Please respond to this e-mail only if there has been or will be a change in your insurance/policy coverage.
Please read through the information provided and feel free to contact either of us if you have questions or desire clarification on any of the forms. We wish you a happy, healthy and successful year!
Sincerely,
| Joi Thomas, MS ATC Associate AD for Health & Performance University of Minnesota Office #: (612) 624-5084 E-mail: thomasjj@umn.edu Fax#: (612) 626-4789 |