Shippensburg University Department of Athletics 
Intercollegiate Athletic Accident Insurance
Question & Answer

 

1) Are student-athletes at Shippensburg University required to have primary medical insurance?
Yes, ALL student-athletes are required to have primary medical insurance to participate in intercollegiate athletics at Shippensburg University. The primary medical insurance MUST provide coverage for an injury sustained during intercollegiate athletics.

2) Is there primary medical insurance that can be purchased if a student-athlete does not currently have medical insurance?
Yes, most medical insurance plans are acceptable if it is considered primary medical insurance and coverage is provided for intercollegiate athletic injuries.

3) Is a government-funded medical insurance plan (such as Tricare and Medicare) accepted medical insurance for participation in intercollegiate athletics at Shippensburg University?
NO, government-funded medical insurance plans (such as Tricare and Medicare) are NOT considered primary medical insurance. If a student-athlete has a government-funded medical insurance plan, the student-athlete may sign a waiver to decline the intercollegiate athletic accident insurance provided by Shippensburg University’s Department of Athletics. Please contact the Director of Sports Medicine, Wes Mallicone, at 717-477-1749, or via e-mail at wrmall@ship.edu regarding this option.

4) Is an international (Foreign/Non-US) medical insurance plan an acceptable medical insurance for participation in intercollegiate athletics at Shippensburg University?
NO, international student-athletes MUST purchase the designated personal medical insurance plan identified annually by the Department of Athletics and Department of Sports Medicine. The specific plan that is required to be purchased by all international student-athletes is the Pioneer Elite Plan. International student-athletes will be required to purchase an annual policy. If an international student-athlete will only be here for one semester to finish out eligibility, please contact the Director of Sports Medicine at (717) 477-1749 or via email at wrmall@ship.edu.

5) Is intercollegiate athletic accident insurance provided by Shippensburg University’s Department of Athletics for student-athletes?
Yes, ALL Shippensburg University student-athletes are provided with secondary intercollegiate athletic accident insurance. This secondary insurance is ONLY utilized as a secondary payer to the student-athlete’s primary personal medical insurance. If a student-athlete’s primary personal medical insurance has a deductible, the deductible is the sole responsibility of the policy holder (i.e. student-athlete/parents/guardian, etc.). The deductible must be paid in full before Shippensburg University’s Department of Athletics intercollegiate athletic accident insurance can be accessed for a covered claim. Shippensburg University, Shippensburg University Student Services, Inc., the Department of Athletics, and the Department of Sports Medicine are NOT responsible for payment of a student-athletes primary personal medical insurance deductible. Therefore, all bills must initially be submitted to the student-athlete’s primary medical insurance. This secondary intercollegiate athletic accident insurance ONLY provides coverage if an injury is sustained during an official team activity.

6) What occurs if a student-athlete sustains an injury during an official team activity?
The injury must be reported to the Division of Sports Medicine within a reasonable time- period. If necessary, an insurance claim will be filed with the secondary intercollegiate athletic accident insurance. All bills must initially be submitted to the student-athlete’s primary medical insurance. After the student-athlete’s primary insurance has made payment, ONLY then would the secondary intercollegiate athletic accident insurance consider payment.

If a student-athlete’s primary personal medical insurance has a deductible, the deductible is the sole responsibility of the policy holder (i.e. student-athlete/parents/guardian, etc.). The deductible must be paid in full before Shippensburg University’s intercollegiate athletic accident insurance can be accessed for a covered claim. Shippensburg University, Shippensburg University Student Services, Inc., the Department of Athletics, and the Department of Sports Medicine are NOT responsible for payment of a student-athletes primary personal medical insurance deductible

The student-athlete must provide all itemized bills with billing codes (CPT codes) and all primary personal medical insurance corresponding Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for submission, that you receive from your primary medical insurance carrier indicating payment, partial payment, or rejection of payment to the Director of Sports Medicine for processing.

7) Does the secondary intercollegiate athletic accident insurance provide coverage for an injury sustained during voluntary activities and workouts?
NO, voluntary activities and workouts that occur during the academic year and/or during the summer are not covered by Shippensburg University’s Athletic Department intercollegiate athletic accident insurance policy nor shall the Division of Sports Medicine assume any responsibility for the care of any injury sustained while engaging in such activities or workouts.

8) Does the secondary intercollegiate athletic accident insurance provide coverage for Illnesses like Influenza, COVID-19, Mononucleosis, etc.?
NO, Shippensburg University’s Department of Athletics intercollegiate athletic accident insurance is comprehensive, but it has limitations. It does not cover expenses due to illness.
 

For more information regarding intercollegiate athletic accident insurance, contact:

Wesley R. Mallicone, MS, LAT, ATC
Director of Sports Medicine
telephone: 717-477-1749
email: wrmall@ship.edu