Insurance Policy
The Savannah State University Athletic Department utilizes a secondary athletic medical insurance policy. Any intercollegiate student-athlete who sustains an athletic-related injury or illness will have medical claims filed with their parents/guardians private health insurance as the primary insurance provider.
Once the primary insurance benefits are exhausted, the student athlete must obtain an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) form from their insurance company and deliver it to the athletic training staff. The athletic departments’ secondary insurance will be responsible for those remaining expenses not covered by the primary insurance company. At no time shall the student athlete be responsible for costs associated with a school-related injury so long as it was reported to the athletic training staff for proper management.
Additionally, the secondary insurance will only be filed when the student-athlete reports the injury to one of the SSU athletic trainers, is evaluated by the athletic trainer, and is referred by the athletic trainer. Any other circumstances under which injuries may occur will be regarded as non-athletic in nature and are not the responsibility of Savannah State University Athletic Department, nor is it legal for the athletic department to assume such responsibility. Medical appointments will be arranged for the student-athletes by the SSU Athletic Training Staff.
The Savannah State University Athletic Department will not be financially responsible for payment of unauthorized appointments.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association has established guidelines for athletic medical expenses, identifying what is permissible and non-permissible for the institution to pay.
Savannah State University Athletic Department may finance the following ATHLETIC MEDICAL EXPENSES:
-Secondary Health Insurance Policy
-Death & dismemberment insurance for intercollegiate athletics competition and practice
-Counseling expenses related to eating behavior problems, body image issues, etc.
-Special individual expenses resulting from a permanent disability that precludes further athletic participation
-Expenses for medical treatment as a result of an athletically related injury beyond the athletes’ primary insurance coverage.
-Medication and physical therapy utilized by a student-athlete during the academic year to enable them to participate in intercollegiate athletics
Savannah State University Athletic Department may not finance the following NON-ATHLETIC MEDICAL EXPENSES:
-Student health insurance
-Medical, surgical, hospital or physical therapy expenses to treat a non-athletic related illness or injury
-Medical, surgical, hospital or physical therapy expenses as the result of an injury going to or participating in class (e.g. physical education class).
-Teeth cleaning, provisional filling of teeth or other dental work, unless the dental work is directly related to an injury to the teeth that occurred during an official practice and/or game.
-SSU’s secondary health insurance policy DOES NOT cover prescription orthotics.
Second opinion physician visits, specialists, diagnostic testing and other services (chiropractic, podiatry, massage therapy, physical therapy, etc…) will only be covered by the Savannah State University Athletic Department Insurance Policy if referred and approved by the SSU Team Physician and the SSU Athletic Training Staff.
As previously explained, the Savannah State University Athletic Department utilizes a secondary athletic medical insurance policy. Any intercollegiate student-athlete who sustains an athletic-related injury or illness will file with their parent’s or guardians private health insurance as the “Primary” insurance provider. The athletic department will be responsible for those expenses not covered by the primary insurer.
In the event that a student-athlete has no private health insurance, the athletic department policy will serve as the primary policy. It should be noted that the athletic department will only cover injuries sustained during Savannah State University Intercollegiate Athletic supervised/authorized practices or games. Additionally, the secondary insurance will only be filed when the student-athlete reports the injury to one of the SSU Athletic Trainers, is evaluated by the athletic trainer, and is referred by the athletic trainer. Any other circumstances under which injuries may occur will be regarded as non-athletic in nature and are not the responsibility of Savannah State University Athletic Department, nor is it legal for the athletic department to assume such responsibility. All medical appointments related to athletic participation will be arranged for the student-athletes by the SSU Athletic Training Staff. Appointments made by oneself or by the parents shall be the sole responsibility of the student-athlete and/or the parents/guardians.
Any expenses incurred by the student-athlete without referral from an SSU athletic trainer or SSU Team Physician will be the sole financial responsibility of the student-athlete. The Savannah State University Athletic Department will not be financially responsible for payment of unauthorized appointments.
If you should have any questions regarding the Savannah State University Athletic Medical Insurance Policy, please do not hesitate to contact the Athletic Insurance Coordinator at (912) 353-2249 or the Head Athletic Trainer at (912) 353-4978