Medical care in College

The answers vary depending on the school and the level of play. For you (kid playing D1 P5) all communication you get about anything will come from your son. P5 coaches would only communicate with a parent in the event of an emergency - and an injury isn’t an emergency unless it’s life threatening. If your Big 12 son were to sustain an injury during the course of practice or a game the school would most likely pay for any necessary medical treatment. This would not be true at a D3 school though. Many schools (even some JUCOs) carry secondary insurance that will cover the family out of pocket expenses if the school doesn’t pay. Parents always have input on who performs a medical procedure on their son but the choice can sometimes impact the expense. Second opinions are hardly ever frowned upon. Best thing to do tho is take care of your body and stay healthy! 

Thank you.  It was amazing to see how little we knew about the situations we all just sent our boys into.  Is the same true for other D1s that aren't P5?  If you want to do a treatment that isn't offered by the school is it ok to do it out of pocket on your own?  Assuming you would always run things by a coach.

Most D1s would pay - especially the bigger schools with bigger budgets. Once upon a time scholarship athletes might get more medical treatments paid for than a walk-on but I imagine that is no longer true. If your son wanted/needed some procedure that the school couldn’t/wouldn’t arrange it would have to be worked out between the player and the coaching staff beforehand - and then proceed with whatever was agreed to. 

Once your kid turns eighteen the only way parents are consulted is if the kid calls. My son’s coach got him a second opinion who said he could play through an injury. It cost him a season. 

When my daughter was a freshman she found out she was eligible for more academic money a couple of weeks into September. I called the finance office to tell them where to send me the refund for the amount I had already paid. They told me she’s an adult and the money can only be returned to her (even though I wrote the check). 

I'd also add that you won't know anything about your son's academics unless you get a FERPA waiver (usually from the University registrar) or tell you themselves.  They are adults, and Federal law gives them certain privacy rights, even if they are your dependents.

My son had an issue his sophmore year. After seeing the team doctor it was determined he should have an MRI.  Team trainer called  with results. School covered it.

Years later one of sons pitchers experienced pain on the mound. Turned out that his ulnar ligament was ripped off of bone. All communication went through the HC, as it should. Player and family chose the doctor.  This was a possible top 10 pitcher, who luckily was drafted that year.

This is a reminder that things happen and should be discussed during recruiting.

Two points from above - my son is at a D3 and they do have insurance for treatment and surgery but made the point that insurance doesn't always cover it all and that is where parental insurance would come into play.  Second to RJM's point my son is still 17 years old (Sept 16 he will get to 18) and while I would be consulted now after he turns 18 it's him and the trainers.   He would still tell me but they can't.  Baseball starts on Sept 13th so let's hope I am not involved in any discussions with trainers.  

My son is a freshman at a P5 school.   He signed a form during the onboarding process so we will be informed on all medical issues.   Also from the documentation, if an injury occurs, our medical is primary and then they will cover any out of pocket and write us a check.   So we won't have to pay but our insurance still has to pay.

My son gave me medical power of attorney but it is more in case of emergency.  I’m sure he could  handle it but I don’t think he would ask the same questions I would ask and 18 year old (at least mine) use as few words as possible.  Part of life I guess.

Son played D1 and had an injury.  For us all correspondences went through our son who communicated with the coaches.  Originally trainer evaluated his injury and determined nothing serious.  A few days later team physician got involved and pretty much said same thing, no activity for another week.  We told son to tell coach he wanted to see an ortho specialist so they set it up.  Diagnosis was mild UCL sprain, it will get better soon.  We made son insist on a second opinion from a specialist that we chose (our insurance) which they agreed.  Saw a well known specialist for baseball injuries and he determined a partial tear.  Overall you kinda get the run-around so if you think it is something that doesn't sound right demand on your own doc and opinion.  School did pay for the out of pocket copy/deductible from our insurance which was a positive though.  In the end it all worked out but had we gone along with initial diagnosis no telling what would have happened.  Injuries are part of the game, just be prepared when it happens and hopefully nothing serious.

@baseballhs posted:

Thank you.  It was amazing to see how little we knew about the situations we all just sent our boys into.  Is the same true for other D1s that aren't P5?  If you want to do a treatment that isn't offered by the school is it ok to do it out of pocket on your own?  Assuming you would always run things by a coach.

As an athletic trainer who has worked collegiate, it's the same for every single level of college. You're not going to get a call from the athletic trainer saying your son has had a concussion or anything like that. Now if there's a medical emergency obviously the people listed to contact would be contacted, but other than that... nope (unless, like others have mentioned, some forms were signed that would direct that information to the parents).

As for treatments, if you wanted to get outside care you can, I mean depending on how high up you are they might want to refer you to team orthopedic and then go from there.

We were told everything has to go through them.  Even if you need to see a Dr because of a sore throat.    You can get second opinions but it has to start with them first.

2019 was injured in HS after signing NLI. The school did not pay for anything as he wasn't enrolled, but they did have him go to their doctors and their rehab facilities. 

Legally college players are adults so the parents don't need to be  consulted, it is between the player, doctors and the college.

However of course we all know that a 19 year old while he can vote and legally is an adult usually is not fully mature so it probably is advisable that you at least get involved into the discussion but that is on you and your kid and doctors have no obligation to consult parents if kid is of legal age and able to make his own decision (except when he is unconscious or so)

As will all things, you as a parent are dead to the University in any capacity until they need money! Then parents are equal partners and fully expected to pay. 

Youngest son broke his ankle last year at a baseball tailgate during football season.  He called me in ambulance and said he was headed to hospital.  The trainer called me from son's phone to give us update.  He had to have surgery with their doctor and all rehab was done with them.  They paid for everything.  We paid nothing and our insurance was never used.  Top-notch care all the way.  During the process, the trainer kept us up to date even as son was beginning to play.  They did not have to but with son's permission they did.

When middle son was at The Citadel, he got hurt during the Hell Week.  He called us even though all phones are taken away during Hell Week.  He used the assistant coach's phone.  They kept us up to date throughout the week since he was a baseball player. 

@baseballhs posted:

Thank you.  It was amazing to see how little we knew about the situations we all just sent our boys into.  Is the same true for other D1s that aren't P5?  If you want to do a treatment that isn't offered by the school is it ok to do it out of pocket on your own?  Assuming you would always run things by a coach.

For the D1 mid our son is at, injuries are handled exactly as adbono stated. Coaches are not involved with treatment decisions or injuries. The AT and staff physician handle it. Since the student athlete is over 18, privacy laws are followed.  Therefore, the medical staff does not communicate with the parents unless it it approved by your son. You have the freedom to select your own surgeon, etc. I would advise not to speak to the coach about injuries since he is not a medical professional. 

@RoadRunner posted:

For the D1 mid our son is at, injuries are handled exactly as adbono stated. Coaches are not involved with treatment decisions or injuries. The AT and staff physician handle it. Since the student athlete is over 18, privacy laws are followed.  Therefore, the medical staff does not communicate with the parents unless it it approved by your son. You have the freedom to select your own surgeon, etc. I would advise not to speak to the coach about injuries since he is not a medical professional.

Of course there's also institutions where the medical staff is part of the athletics department, and without getting too deep into it, "This player will be out there on Saturday," can - and does - happen, which is unfortunate.

I think parents are well aware that asking the coach medical questions is not appropriate. And are aware that they are not doctors.

But you would be surprised at how many folks do call the HC to talk about, "what's next".