MEDICAL
For the purpose of this medical policy, a scholarship athlete shall be defined as one who receives a minimum amount of financial aid equal to in-state tuition from the Athletic Department.
The Director of Athletics, after consultation with the head trainer will select the team physician and orthopedic surgeon and will approve all physicians included on a referral list for student-athletes.
The team physician gives medical examinations to all student-athletes before practice starts and before any equipment is issued. No student may participate in athletics without examination and approval of the team physician. The Compliance Office will furnish the trainer with the names of student-athletes who have been certified academically eligible.
The team physician may delegate other doctors, approved by the Director of Athletics, 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 in regard to treatment. If the University is to assume any financial responsibility, student-athletes may use other medical consultation only upon the referral of the team physician or the athletic trainer.
Any student-athlete who takes it upon himself/herself to be treated by other medical sources without specific authorization from the team physician or trainer does so at his or her own expense.
The team physician will determine the physical capability of an injured or ill student-athlete to participate in athletic practice or competition. The trainer and other medical consultation may assist the team physician when circumstances warrant it.
In the absence of the team physician, the trainer (not the coach) will determine the availability of an injured student-athlete for practice or competition. Student-athletes receiving bills for authorized visits to a physician or hospital are to deliver them without delay to the trainer, who submits them to the Associate Athletic Director for Finance for payment.
The Athletic Business Office will process payment for authorized prescriptions approved by the team physicians; such prescriptions will be delivered to the training room and may be obtained there.
All arrangements for the care of injuries are to be made and taken care of before the student-athlete withdraws from the University or graduates. THE UNIVERSITY WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY AFTER A STUDENT- ATHLETE HAS TERMINATED HIS OR HER STUDENT AFFILIATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY UNLESS SPECIFICALLY PROVEN TO BE ATHLETICALLY RELATED AT THE TIME OF THE EXIT PHYSICAL.
If for any reason other than injury an athlete leaves a team, the Athletic Department will deny all medical coverage for that athlete.
Coaches will contact the weight room, training room and the equipment room immediately upon a student-athlete’s leaving a team.
DENTAL
The student athlete?s personal dental insurance will be the primary provider in all dental injuries. The Athletic Department, along with the athlete?s personal insurance, will assist in payment of bills in the case of dental damage done to sound teeth while in practice or games only. The Athletic Department cannot pay for non-athletic related damage to teeth.
CONTACT LENSES & GLASSES
To qualify for new contact lenses, the student-athlete must receive an athletic scholarship equivalent of in-state tuition. Replacement for contact lenses will be provided in the event that a lens is lost during a practice or game if reported immediately. All other losses will be the responsibility of the individual.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
The student-athlete wishing to participate in experimental tests MUST first file the following with the Director of Athletics:
- Written approval from the Human Testing Committee of the University
- Written approval from his or her head coach; and
- Written approval from the athletic medical staff.PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Athletic Department will not be responsible for payment of medical attention for student-athletes due to the following reasons: - Injuries incurred from some activity other than one supervised by University coaches during regularly scheduled practice sessions or games;
- Not having written clearance for outside consultation (where practical) from the team physician;
- Required surgery where an athletic injury (received as an athlete at this University) is not direct cause, such as an appendectomy;
- Injuries or Illness incurred during the off-season;
- Failure to report an injury during the in-season period, with the exception of delayed awareness.In-season periods are to be interpreted as the specific date established for the beginning of practice, as set by the NCAA; and the termination to be interpreted as the last scheduled game during the regular playing season. This in-season period would be extended in the event a team qualified for any NCAA recognized post-season contest or championship, and would terminate at its conclusion.STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES
The Athletic Department encourages student-athletes to use the Student Health Services in the off-season on the same basis as non-athletes.DRUGS
The use of drugs or narcotics not prescribed by a physician is prohibited and violation of this policy will subject the individual to appropriate disciplinary action by the Athletic Department.INSURANCE
The Athletic Department carries an ?excess? medical policy to cover any expenses that the parents’ policy does not cover. Features of this policy are: - Payment is made for these excess charges that the student-athlete?s personal insurance (usually through the parent?s policy) does not pay.
- Only injuries relating to Athletic Department sports participation (e.g., sponsored team practices and competitive events) are covered. Medical expenses resulting from non-athletic participation are the exclusive responsibility of the student-athlete.
- Insured services must be referred by our team physician or Training Room initiated by the Student-athlete.
- Dental coverage is limited to natural teeth damaged during practice or competition.
- Damage to contact lenses or corrective eyeglasses is not insured. It is important for parents (who are enrolled in some type of HMO program) to know that this is not an insurance policy that will cover the student-athlete while he or she is away from home at school. Because of the risk of injury, we ask all student-athletes to provide us with insurance information before being allowed to participate in UNM athletics.STUDENT HEALTH CENTER
PURPOSE
The Student Health Center (SHC) assists students in maintaining optimal health. The SHC is funded in part by student activity fees. One hundred percent of the SHC’s budget is used to deliver quality health care to students. All staff members are New Mexico licensed, registered, and/or certified depending on their expertise and service areas.ELIGIBILITY & COST
The Student Health Center is available to all currently-enrolled UNM students. SHC fees are much lower than community rates. Students enrolled for less than six credit hours will pay a higher visit fee. Eligibility guidelines change in the summer; please call for clarification. Payment can be made by check, cash, debit card, MasterCard, Visa, or by charging to a student account.INSURANCE
Students are not required to have health insurance to be seen at the SHC. However, the SHC recommends that students have insurance to help defray healthcare costs. The SHC is an approved provider for Presbyterian and Cimarron Health plans. Students enrolled in HMO plans can check with the SHC Insurance Specialist about choosing the SHC as their primary care provider.A student-chosen health and accident insurance policy is available to students enrolled for six or more hours per semester. The plan provides for hospital, surgical, and outpatient medical care beyond that provided by the SHC. The policy is geared to the needs of UNM students and provides coverage for a semester or a 12-month period regardless of geographic location. Dependent and spouse coverage is also available. The plan offers optional dental coverage. The SHC Insurance Specialist can assist students with insurance claims and other insurance issues.
UNM requires all International Students and their dependents to have health coverage while enrolled. The UNM insurance policy will meet this requirement.