Athletic Trainers
Frequesntly Asked Questions
The primary responsibility for insurance coverage for injuries while participating in intercollegiate athletics rests with the individual student-athlete or his/her family.
Q: What is the insurance requirement for a student-athlete at SUNY New Paltz?
A: All student-athletes are required to have proof of insurance prior to participating in intercollegiate athletics at SUNY New Paltz. Most are covered by their parents’ insurance or have their own personal health insurance. If you do not have insurance, it may be purchased through the school.
Q: How would I be able to purchase insurance through the school?
A: SUNY New Paltz automatically bills all students who are earning the minimum of twelve (12) class credits for medical insurance when the student pays their stipend/tuition at the beginning of the year/semester. Students that earn nine (9) class credits have the opportunity to receive school medical insurance, however the student must request the coverage. In the situation where a student does not want medical insurance through the school, the student can sign a waiver form denying coverage.
Q: Does the SUNY New Paltz Athletics department provide a secondary insurance coverage for student-athletes?
A: The SUNY New Paltz Athletics department provides a secondary insurance for all student-athletes. Our secondary insurance provides coverage to student-athletes who have an accident or injury during supervised activity (i.e. organized practices and /or scheduled contests). Accident/Injury benefits for student-athletes are provided on an excess basis. This means the student-athlete’s own personal insurance or that of the athlete’s spouse or parents must be billed first. Currently, our secondary insurance has a zero dollar deductible. In addition, the secondary insurance coverage provides benefits until the bills exceed $75,000. Benefits are available from the secondary policy only when the student-athlete’s are exhausted. Secondary insurance deductibles can change year to year.
Q: Does the SUNY New Paltz secondary insurance apply to illnesses or medical conditions that may affect athletic participation?
A: Tests, treatments, prescriptions, etc. for illnesses and medical conditions are the responsibility of the student-athlete and are not covered under our secondary insurance policy.
Q: What do I need to provide if my son/daughter has an insurance claim directly related to an injury sustained while practicing or competing in a SUNY New Paltz intercollegiate sponsored event?
A: If there is a balance due on any bills from an injury that falls within the “Covered Injuries” category after the student-athlete’s insurance company has made payment to the maximum allowable limit, the student and/or parents must provide the athletic trainers with copies of all original itemized bills and copies of all insurance company Explanation of Benefits Statement (EOBs) within 90 days of treatment. The EOBs should indicate original charges, amount paid by the insurance company and balance still due. Please fax to (845) 257-3921 or mail the itemized bills and EOBs to:
Kevin Joyce
Head Athletic Trainer
SUNY New Paltz- Elting Gymnasium
1 Hawk Drive
New Paltz, New York 12561
Q: What must I do if my son/daughter insurance policy changes at any time throughout the school year?
A: If there are any changes in insurance coverage at any time during the school year, the student-athlete must notify the athletic training staff immediately. A new Emergency/Insurance Questionnaire form must also be submitted to the Athletic Training Staff.
Q: Is my son/daughter covered if there is a catastrophic injury while participating in intercollegiate athletics at SUNY New Paltz?
A: The SUNY New Paltz Athletics department participates in the “NCAA Catastrophic Athletic Injury Insurance Program”. This program provides lifetime medical benefits to student-athletes who are catastrophically injured during competition, and/or practice, related to intercollegiate athletic participation. The NCAA Catastrophic Athletic Injury Insurance Program has a $75,000 deductible. For more information on this program, look online at: www.ncaa.org.
