Student-Athlete Sports Medicine Eligibility

All athletes must undergo sports medicine eligibility before participation in any team activities, including practice, competitions, strength and conditioning sessions, or team functions that involve a supervising coach and/or mandatory non-supervised participation. Eligibility pertains to both new incoming athletes and returners, although the criteria are somewhat different. In order to meet initial/incoming sports medicine eligibility requirements, the student-athlete must meet the following criteria:

1. Completed medical history questionnaire
2. Emergency contact information
3. Proof of insurance. Please provide front and back copy of insurance card. C-SC does NOT provide primary or secondary insurance. If you do NOT have insurance please see additional information. (hyperlink to insurance section)
4. Comprehensive medical/orthopedic physical and clearance by C-SC team physician (must be conducted on-campus by C-SC team physician group). A fee of $10 is required at time of service.
5. *Returning Athlete Medical History Questionnaire for returning athletes only.

Newcomers MUST complete the first three steps prior to arrival on campus. A hard copy of the forms should accompany the athlete to physicals/team check-in or be faxed prior to physicals to 573-288-6442 c/o Athletic Training.

*Returning student-athletes should complete Steps 2-3 and 5. Until the aforementioned criteria are met, the student-athlete is deemed medically ineligible. Therefore, that individual is NOT permitted to be involved in physical activities with the team or seek any athletic training services. That student-athlete and/or coach is personally responsible for any accident or injury that occurs prior to sports medicine clearance.

Insurance & Trouble-Shooting:
C-SC does NOT provide athletic/accident insurance for student-athletes. The athlete is responsible for ALL medical expenses or bill that are not associated with in-house athletic training services. Therefore, it is imperative that student-athletes and/or guardians review their medical insurance coverage. Please see the following trouble-shooting tips:

• Make sure you have medical coverage in the Northeast Missouri and/or Quincy, Ill., area. Out-of-Network HMOs and Medicaid often only cover ER visits. This is a major inconvenience and can delay care even if it is available in the area. Also ER coverage does NOT usually include diagnostic testing like MRI or CT for many of the musculoskeletal injuries we often encounter. Please note that if your coverage is denied in the area, medical services will have to be sought at the out-of-pocket expense of the patient or the patient will have to return to in-network providers.
• Many insurance companies require a copy of a dependent’s college class schedule or verification of college enrollment to maintain medical benefits under their guardian’s policy. Many times dependents will get dropped without the guardian even knowing. Please check on your carrier’s requirements.
• Temporary policies do meet insurance requirements. However, student-athletes often forget to renew or extend the policy. The athletic training staff does NOT re-check policies. The student-athlete is responsible for maintaining continuous insurance coverage.
• It often takes days, even weeks, for medical benefits to begin after the initial application. A copy of the application does NOT meet insurance requirements. Verification of acceptance is required. Start the application process early.
• C-SC student-athletes are NOT allowed to waive insurance requirements.
• The athletic training program does NOT have a collaborative or incentive agreement with any insurance carrier. We can only suggest possible carriers that previous athletes have utilized. Costs vary, and the plan selected is at the sole discretion of the student-athlete.

Insurance carriers used by student-athletes in the recent past are:

• American Family Insurance (573-288-2004)
• Anthem Blue-Cross/Blue-Shield of Missouri (www.anthem.com)