The ins and outs of NCAA student athlete insurance

Although a tragic accident, Ware was fortunate. The University of Louisville covered all expenses relating to his injury and surgery, but NCAA regulations don’t require schools to do so. For example, other student athletes and their families have recounted horror stories in the media about being left with thousands of dollars in medical expenses – expenses that the athlete’s personal policy wouldn’t cover and that the school wouldn’t pay.

This gap results from the fact that each school is allowed to determine its own policies about how to handle student athletes’ medical expenses. Although universities are allowed to pay their student athletes’ deductibles, under NCAA legislation, the schools aren’t required to.

Mind the gap

Like Louisville, it is the policy of most Division I schools that the university and the athletic program pay for any medical expenses not covered by the student athlete’s own medical insurance. An NCAA spokesperson told USA TODAY that almost all Division I schools and “more than 75 percent” of Division II and Division III schools cover their athletes. But that means many colleges and universities don’t – and even among schools that do, each college’s specific rules don’t guarantee that students and their families won’t be left holding the bag for some out-of-pocket expenses.

Many are calling on the NCAA to review and revise its policies on insurance coverage for its student athletes, especially in light of recent reports that show some injuries – such as concussions – can have serious lifelong effects on student athletes.

NCAA leaders are also discussing ways to get rid of the insurance gap and better communicate to their athletes that the gap may exist in the first place. The organization is talking about creating formal self-insurance programs for deductibles and copays, and improving communication between the schools, student athletes and their families, such as notifying students and their parents in writing about possible out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Justin Brown is the marketing content manager for insuranceQuotes.com (formerly Bankrate Insurance) providing agents and risk management advisors with the latest news, sales strategies, and insurance marketing tips to help them grow their business.