ARTICLE NINE

MEDICAL POLICY

VISION STATEMENT:

The University of Richmond Athletic Training Department shall provide a comprehensive health care system for its Division I intercollegiate student-athlete population. This athletic training department will provide efficient services with the highest quality of care and professionalism.

MISSION STATEMENT:

The mission of the University of Richmond Athletic Training Department is to develop and maintain a traditional athletic training setting to best serve the healthcare needs of the student athletes in a cost effective manner. The focus of the certified athletic trainers will correspond with the National Athletic Trainers Association performance domains including: the prevention of athletic injuries; the recognition, evaluation and immediate care of athletic injuries; rehabilitation and reconditioning of athletic injuries; health care administration; and professional development and responsibility. We will continually upgrade the list of health care providers that can be used on a referral basis for all aspects of student athlete wellness.

The philosophy of the athletic training department is a direct reflection of the University of Richmond's commitment to excellence. Our top priority is the welfare of the student-athlete. We also share the philosophy of the athletic department with goals to enable student-athletes to return to participation, as soon as it is medically safe to do so, and to contribute to the student-athlete having an overall positive collegiate experience.

Finally, the University of Richmond Athletic Training Department strives to promote the profession of athletic training. This will be achieved through the constant education of students, parents, coaches and other health care providers. We will also support involvement of the staff in professional organizations, meetings, research and public relations activities.

Policies and Procedures

Section 1. Personnel

  1. The Director of Athletics, after consultation with the Director of Sports Medicine, will select the Team Physician and/or Orthopedic Surgeon who will monitor the complete health care of all University of Richmond student-athletes.
  2. The Team Physician is responsible for the supervision of the sports medicine program for the Department of Athletics. The Team Physician is assisted by the Director of Sports Medicine.
  3. The Team Physician may designate another doctor(s) to assist or act in his or her stead. However, the Team Physician must be informed of any serious injuries and has the final authority with regard to treatment.
  4. The physical capability of an injured or ill student-athlete to participate in any University athletic activity or competition is determined by the Team Physician, with the assistance of the Director of Sports Medicine and other medical consultants when circumstances are warranted. In the absence of the Team Physician, the Director of Sports Medicine will decide the availability of an injured student-athlete if not under the medical care of a physician.

Section 2. Medical Information

A medical physical is required for all incoming first year students, transfer students, and first year participants prior to athletic activity of any kind. University policy states that all students must obtain a medical physical prior to enrollment. A copy of the Student Health Center physical is sufficient as long as no restrictions of activity are noted. It is the responsibility of each coach to provide complete rosters to the sports medicine staff well in advance of initial intercollegiate practice or competition to insure the administration of athletic physicals. Deletions or additions must be reported accordingly.

All student-athletes must submit a completed annual medical history form prior to participation. No student-athlete may participate in any athletic activity until a satisfactory medical history form has been received by the sports medicine staff and met the approval of the team physician. The Athletic Department retains the right to require further examination based upon the student-athlete's medical history.

Section 3. Medical Referral and Services

All injuries and illnesses are to be reported to the sports medicine staff on the same day they occur. The student-athlete will be referred to the Student Health Center or the team physician as indicated. In order to protect the medical eligibility of the student-athlete, please utilize the services of the athletic training staff instead of seeking self-treatment and referral. In case of an emergency or impending medical problem (outside of normal operational training room hours) the student-athlete should immediately contact an athletic trainer for assistance or advice, regardless of the time of day. If unable to contact an athletic trainer in an emergency, the student-athlete should contact the University of Richmond Student Health Center for advice. In emergencies, medical attention will be arranged immediately for the student-athlete, normally by the Director of Sports Medicine.

A student-athlete who is referred to the Student Health Center or any other physician will be given a referral in the athletic training room which they are to take to their appointment and return to the athletic trainer with pertinent instructions and signature of the attending physician. All referrals are to be returned immediately following the appointment.

Referrals to specific medical personnel will be made by the sports medicine staff with the assistance of the team physician. If you desire medical attention other than provided by the University of Richmond sports medicine staff for injuries occurring as described above, you may do so at your own expense and with the assistance of the team physician. A student-athlete who is currently seeking medical care outside of our department will not be allowed to participate until deemed appropriate in writing from his or her personal physician; then review from the team physician.

Section 4. Dental Services

The Department of Athletics will assume a degree of responsibility for payment in the case of dental damage done to teeth and other injuries related to the mouth while participating in practice or games. Refer to Section 6 for explanation of medical related expenses.

Section 5. Optometric Services

As a matter of general policy, the Department of Athletics will not underwrite the cost of eye examinations unless the examination is required because of an athletic-related injury. If an injury does occur and an examination is needed, the appropriate medical referral procedure is to be followed. Student-athletes who are currently receiving a Pell Grant award may apply for reimbursement for eye exams, corrective lenses and/or contact lenses through the Special Assistance Fund administered by the Compliance Office.

The Department of Athletics will replace contact lenses in the event that the lens is lost or damaged during intercollegiate athletic participation. Contact lenses can only be ordered with a current prescription, i.e., a prescription that has been written within the past 12 months. It is the responsibility of the student-athlete to obtain and update prescriptions and to provide the Sports Medicine Staff with a copy of the current prescription.

Section 6. Prescription Drugs

The Department of Athletics will be responsible for the cost of therapeutic drugs required as a direct result of athletic injury or illness and approved by the team physician. Some non-athletic related prescriptions may be paid in compliance with NCAA rules. The student-athlete has to present the prescription to a staff athletic trainer for approval of payment.

Section 7. Medical Insurance and Related Medical Costs

  1. Parents of all student-athletes are expected to continue coverage for their son/daughter via the medical insurance program under which they were included prior to enrolling at the University of Richmond. Virtually every parent would include his or her son/daughter if he or she were not participating in intercollegiate athletics. Therefore, participation in intercollegiate athletics should not be the reason for discontinuing the medical coverage. The premium paid for including the son/daughter in a medical program does not increase due to his or her participation in intercollegiate athletics.
  2. Parents must provide current information on their insurance coverage. An insurance questionnaire provided by the Department of Athletics must be completed for every student-athlete prior to the first practice of the season. No student-athlete may participate in any athletic activity until a completed questionnaire has been received by the Department of Athletics. Information provided on the questionnaire may be subject to periodic review to assure that the information on file is current. The Department of Athletics will not be held responsible in the event an athlete does not notify a change within the insurance coverage. When returning the completed questionnaire, parents are requested to submit a photocopy of the insurance card provided by their insurance carrier. This has been requested by our health care providers in order to eliminate confusion in billing and expedite authorization for medical services.
  3. Many insurance carriers make payment directly to the subscriber, i.e., the parent. All payments should be sent to the provider of the medical service (doctor, hospital, lab, etc.) for credit to the student-athlete's account. Providers are able to obtain information regarding payments made to subscribers. Parents should not jeopardize the eligibility of their son/daughter by failing to forward payments to providers.
  4. Due to increasing health care costs, many families have opted to change their insurance coverage to a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) involving a specific primary care physician. These plans have strict regulations which may directly affect the services allowable to student-athletes from our team physician or other medical consultants. Therefore, it may be necessary for the injured student-athlete to seek the services of the primary care physician.
  5. All claims under medical insurance for injuries sustained while participating in University of Richmond athletic related events will be filed as follows:
  6. Any claims for benefits must first be filed on the individuals or family's insurance coverage.
  7. Any amounts that are not paid by the student-athlete's insurance coverage will be considered by our athletic insurance or by the University of Richmond Department of Athletics. The student-athlete must provide an explanation of benefits (EOB) to verify denial of insurance coverage.
  8. The Athletic Department assumes no financial responsibility for:

Section 8. Tobacco

The use of tobacco (including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, "dip" or "snuff") in any form is prohibited. No tobacco will be allowed in University facilities or on University sanctioned trips (ie. buses, airplanes, vans, hotels, stadiums, etc.). It is not only a health hazard, but is a poor example for student-athletes and the athletic staff to exemplify.

Section 9. Athletic Training Room Use

Only those persons with authorization from the team physician or director of sports medicine may use the athletic training room or other departmental rehabilitation facilities.

Section 10. Release of Information to News Media

All requests for information regarding the nature of injuries or the condition of injured student-athletes will be directed to the Director of Sports Medicine.

Section 11. Procedures for Bloodborne Pathogens

All Departmental staff and student-athletes will strictly adhere to the standards set forth by the University concerning bloodborne pathogens exposure control plan. A copy of this plan is on file within the sports medicine facility. The following components are encompassed into this plan.

Section 12. Procedures for Care of University of Richmond Student-Athletes

Because the ultimate responsibility of care for student-athlete rests with the Team Physician and sports medicine staff, the following are the methods of care regarding injury or illnesses:

In case of emergency - Dial 911. This will activate the EMS including the response of campus police emergency trained personnel – transport to Henrico Doctors Hospital Emergency Room. As soon as possible, contact a staff athletic trainer or the team physician.

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