Dear Lion Family:
I feel that it is important that each of you thoroughly understand
the athletic insurance and medical policy at the University of North
Alabama. Hopefully, this letter will explain and answer any
questions.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) does not permit
us or any university to pay medical bills that occur related to
illnesses, injuries or conditions which are not the direct result of
accidents occurring during supervised athletic trips, practices or
games. For this reason, The University of North Alabama Athletic
Department will not be financially responsible for non-athletic
injuries or illnesses that do not occur as a result of supervised
athletic trips, practices or games. This includes DENTAL WORK,
EYEGLASSES, EYE EXAM, HEARING AIDS, MEASLES, CHICKEN POX, WARTS,
TUMORS, APPENDICITIS, PREGNANCY, INJURIES FROM FIGHTS, or any other
conditions not related to their participation in intercollegiate
athletics. We will assist the athlete in getting proper medical care
for the above, if desired, but we will not accept financial
responsibility.
The University of North Alabama will only be financially responsible
for the payment of medical bills that result from injuries occurring
during supervised athletic trips, practices or games. However, The
University of North Alabama will pay the balance of these bills only
after each bill has been filed with and processed by your insurance
company. We will make the payment on the balance of these bills only
after we receive notification that your insurance has paid the
maximum collectible amount or that your insurance has denied payment
of the bills. The exact procedure for handling these medical bills
is outlined on the attached University of North Alabama MEDICAL
EXPENSE PAYMENT PROCEDURE sheet.
Each student-athlete is required to have a physical examination by
our team physician and sports medicine staff prior to any
participation in any intercollegiate sport. The final decision of
physical qualifications or reason for rejection is the
responsibility of the team physician. The team physician also makes
the decision on when an athlete may return to competition after a
previous injury. It is the responsibility of either the athlete or
parent/guardian(s) to notify the Athletic Training Staff or Team
Physician of any athletic injury/illness to obtain prior approval
for any medical expense. The University of North Alabama Athletic
Department will not be financially responsible for any medical
expense incurred unless prior approval has been obtained.
The University of North Alabama Student Health Services is housed on
campus at the Bennett Infirmary building. The infirmary provides
facilities with limited treatment for short illnesses as outlined in
the University Bulletin and Student Handbook. Registered nurses and
licensed physicians are employed at Bennett Infirmary for this
service.
The student will be responsible for the purchase of all
prescriptions needed other than those prescribed for a covered
athletic injury/illness. If the student needs to be hospitalized for
non-athletic reasons, it will be the responsibility of the student
to select his physician and hospital. The student will be
responsible for any charge incurred.
I am enclosing The University of North Alabama Insurance Status
Form. (As a walk-on, you must have some type of health insurance).
We must have this information completed in order to provide maximum
protection for every athlete. The athlete will not be allowed to
participate in competitions or practices and we cannot be
responsible for any medical expenses on the athlete until we have
his/her form completed. Also, I am enclosing The University of North
Alabama Medical Emergency Form. In the event of serious
injury/illness, we as a medical staff need to be able to contact the
parent(s)/guardian(s). Also, The University of North Alabama needs
to have authorization by the student-athlete and parent(s)/guardian(s)
in order to provide the necessary medical care in the event of
injury/illness. Also included is the updated NCAA Banned Drug List
and Information about Nutritional Supplements.
For this reason, I am asking that you take a few minutes and
complete these forms and return them to me along with a front and
back copy of your insurance card NO LATER THAN June 28, 2004. Please
be sure that both parents and the athlete sign and date in the
appropriate spaces. Your quick and complete cooperation with these
forms now will prevent a great deal of future problems, should any
occur.
If there are any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact
me at (256) 765-4563.
Sincerely,
Josh Penny, Head Athletic Trainer
UNA Box 5062, Florence, AL 35632
P.S. Please keep this letter for future reference. |
