Participation in intercollegiate athletics involves the inherent risk of injury. For this reason, it remains necessary for all student-athletes to maintain a personal health insurance policy. This policy must remain in effect throughout the entire school year, thus covering all in-season and out-of-season training, practices, and competitions.
Students will not be allowed to participate in any team activity or training until proof of insurance is provided to the athletic training department and the acknowledgement form is completed by the policy holder. It is highly recommended the student-athlete's health insurance policy has a reasonable deductible, as this may be the responsibility of the student-athlete and/or policy holder. Furthermore, this policy must meet the following criteria:
(1) Coverage of interscholastic athletic-related accidents
(2) Coverage in the state of Missouri for non-emergency care
In addition to the specific criteria stated above:
(1) Out-of-state Medicaid plans DO NOT meet Lindenwood University Athletics requirements.
(2) Out of state HMO plans DO NOT meet Lindenwood University Athletics requirements
(3) Healthcare sharing plans DO NOT meet Lindenwood University Athletics requirements
(4) Travel or reimbursement policies DO NOT meet Lindenwood University Athletics requirements
(5) Your insurance must have a claims office based in the United States and has as a toll-free telephone line for eligibility and claim inquiries
Lindenwood University has implemented a mandatory health insurance requirement for all student-athletes and international students. Please follow this linkÂ
Health Insurance | Lindenwood University for additional information.
Secondary Insurance Information (provided by the university)
The university's secondary insurance policy is limited to those injuries received, which in the opinion of the team physician and certified athletic trainer, are directly attributable to participation in sanctioned intercollegiate athletics while a full-time student and team member at Lindenwood University.
The current secondary policy is an accident-only policy and an excess policy. This policy carries a $0 deductible. After the student-athlete's primary health insurance policy is exhausted, the secondary health insurance may provide up to the maximum benefit for eligible medical expenses. This may not include certain medical procedures, special services, durable medical equipment, etc.
In addition, this accident-only policy will not provide coverage for the following:
(1) Costs incurred from the care of injuries and illnesses that are not linked directly to a specific athletic accident or event.
(2) Costs associated with injuries and illnesses incurred while participating in activities not directly associated with the student-athletes intercollegiate program.
(3) Costs incurred due to additional testing required as the result of issues or concerns raised during the pre-participation examinations.
(4) Costs incurred from the emergency care of medical conditions that are not directly attributable to the participation in intercollegiate athletics (i.e. appendectomy).
(5) Costs incurred due to dental care not relating directly to an athletic incident.
(6) Costs incurred due to injuries associated with fighting (regardless of the setting).
(7) Costs incurred due to participation in voluntary workouts including but not limited to open gyms, virtual workouts, captain’s practices, in person voluntary workouts with coaches, voluntary summer conditioning programs, etc.Â
*Out-of-state student-athletes with health insurance that only covers emergencies in the state of Missouri may need to return home, at their own expense, for non-emergency, elective medical care. While the university does retain a secondary insurance policy for student-athletes, it must be understood that necessary steps may need to be taken to ensure the primary insurance policy is properly utilized and fully exhausted prior to receiving benefits from the secondary. In addition, if it is determined that a student-athlete incurred out-of-network expenses not covered by his/her primary insurance due to lack of coverage, benefits from the secondary insurance policy may not be available.
Guidelines for Reporting an Injury/Submitting a Claim
(1) The athlete must report all injuries and illnesses to the athletic training staff in a timely manner for appropriate evaluation and referral.
(2) All medical services and referrals must be coordinated and/or approved by the athletic training department. Any costs related to medical services scheduled without notification and approval from the athletic training department will be the sole responsibility of the student-athlete: this does not include emergency care. In the event of an emergency visit, the student-athlete should seek assistance from the athletic training staff immediately after returning to campus.
(3) The student-athlete must first have all medical expenses filed with his/her primary insurance carrier prior to the secondary policy.
(4) Once the incident has been verified by the athletic training staff, a claim form will be submitted to the secondary insurance company by the secondary insurance coordinator.
(5)
 The student-athlete is responsible for ensuring all information is submitted to the secondary insurance company. Secondary insurance company information will be provided to the student prior to the first medical appointment.
(6) Requested information may be submitted to the secondary insurance company via:
Direct submission from the healthcare provider by providing them with the secondary insurance company information
Indirect submission from the student-athlete after information is obtained from the involved parties (medical providers and primary insurance carrier)
(7) The student-athlete is responsible for ensuring all requested information from the secondary insurance company is provided in a timely manner. This may include, but is not limited to: parent employment verification, itemized bills for services, explanations of benefits, etc.
(8) The secondary policy provides coverage for 104 weeks after the date of injury or illness.
Failure to comply with requests for additional information may result in a lack of benefits provided by the secondary insurance company.
