Insurance coverage carred by the University of Wyoming Athletic Department
The Athletic Department has purchased a secondary insurance policy for its student-athletes. The policy provides for a secondary coverage on injuries that are a direct result of intercollegiate activity during a required practice or competition supervised by an Athletic Department Coach. This policy will be applied only to medical expenses for services rendered by a participant in our network and to those providers deemed necessary. The policy requires that as an injured student-athlete, you first make a claim under your primary insurance. Athletic injury expenses that occur from participation in intercollegiate sports at the University of Wyoming and are not covered by primary insurance will be paid according to the policies and procedures. UW's policy is not all inclusive. The Sports Medicine Staff must approve all referrals to specialists. Failure to gain advance approval will result in no-payment of incurred charges. The Athletic Department's secondary insurance is applicable only for injuries that are sustained during intercollegiate activity, a required practice or competition supervised by a coach.
Filing a claim
Our insurance policy requires that as an injured student-athlete that you make an initial claim with your primary insurance. When you are seen by a provider within our network, we will provide this information to them. If you see someone out of network, it is your responsibility to supply your primary insurance information to that provider. The provider will then sumbit a claim with your insurance company. While waiting for payment from your primary insurance, the provider will continue to send you bills. Your insurance company will evaluate and either pay or deny the claim and will send you a statement called an EOB (explanation of benefits). The EOB from your primary insurance will explain the processing of the claim. It is very important that all bills and EOB's for covered expenses be brought to the University of Wyoming Sports Medicine Department in a timely manner. Without this information, our secondary insurance cannot act. Once these are received, the Athletic Department will process and send the information to its secondary insurance company for consideration.
For claims and bill processing
Send all requested information to:
University of Wyoming
Athletic Department-Athletic Trainer Medical Claims
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3414
Laramie, WY 82071
When is a student-athlete referred to a physician?
Whenever the Team Physicians or Certified Athletic Trainer staff determines that a medical consultation would enhance the health care of an injury, arrangements will be made for a medical referral. Coaches DO NOT have the authority to refer a student-athlete to any physician except for emergency medical care when the Sports Medicine Staff is not available.
Which physicians can a student-athlete utilize under this plan?
As a student-athlete you are coverd under the Athletic Department's secondary insurance policy when you see a physician in the UW Sports Medicine Network. This network is comprised of a wide variety of medical specialists from the medical community. The group is dedicated to providing the best possible health care to the UW student-athlete. This network was formed to insure accurate and continuous communication between the physicians and the UW Sports Medicine Staff.
Can a student-athlete see a physician outside of the network?
Yes, prior written authorization from one of the UW Sports Medicine Staff must be obtained if a student-athlete wishes to seek medical attention outside of the network. This authorization will be granted only if our consulting physicians cannot provide required care. The student-athlete will be responsible for all costs incurred for the out of network care without this authorization.
What if I belong to an HMO or PPO?
If you belong to an HMO or PPO you are limited to the physicians and facilities that you may utilize. We request that you send the UW Sports Medicine Department specific instructions, requirements and limitations that may be included in your policy. This information is necessary for claims to be processed and filed correctly.
What if my insurance information changes?
It is your responsibility to keep your insurance information up to date with the UW Sports Medicine Staff. They must be notified immediately of any changes. Failure to do so will result in an inability to process any claims for payment.
What is NOT covered under UW's secondary insurance policy?
1) Injury sustained in an activity that is not associated with required intercollegiate practice or competition not supervised by a coach
2) Any pre-existing injury
3) Conditions that result from non-compliance
4) Any injury not reported within seven days of onset of symptoms
5) Unauthorized consultations or treatments
6) Injuries sustained after collegiate eligibility has been completed
7) PE/intramural/club sports/riding a bike/ falling down the stairs etc.
8) Care and removal of tonsils, appendix etc.
What about illness coverage?
1) Illness coverage will be provided by the Athletic Department with the following limitations:
- All illness care must be provided by UW Team Physicians
- All lab tests for illness coverage will be requested by the UW Team Physicians
2) All illness coverage provided by off-campus MD's, lab tests, x-rays and other off-campus diagnostic testing may be the student-athlete's responsibility.
3) The student-athlete may be responsible for off-campus illness care even when an on-cmapus MD makes a referral to an off-campus MD or sets up an off-campus test or procedure related to his/her illness
4) The University of Wyoming Department of Athletics is not responsible for any health care related to any pre-existing illnesses.
Can a student-athlete seek a second opinion?
If a student-athlete seeks a second opinion or care from an out of network provider, he/she will be medically ineligible to participate or utilize the services of the Sports Medicine Department until medical records are obtained and reviewed by our Team Physicians. Additionally, the University of Wyoming will not assume any financial responsibility for travel, costs and services generated by the second opinion.
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