Sports Medicine
Athletic Trainer: Pernell Knox, ATC/LAT
Team Physician: John Masterson, MD (Sports Orthopedics and Spine)
 

Welcome to the athletics program at Freed-Hardeman University. The team physician and athletic trainer are responsible for determining if student athletes are medically cleared to participate. The following tasks and forms must be completed and placed on file with the athletic trainer at the start of each school year for medical clearance to be granted to each individual player.  ALL documents are required each academic year. You are required to have primary medical insurance that includes college sports injury coverage in order to participate in intercollegiate athletics at FHU. You are also required to contact the athletics department immediately if, during the year, there is a change or update to the information that you provide on these forms.  If not, FHU's secondary insurance will not cover the injury.

 
Please print out, complete and mail in these medical forms prior to your arrival on campus to expedite your medical clearance in order to begin your workouts with your team as soon as possible.

PRE-PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
Athletes not submitting all pages of the required forms below will not be permitted to condition, practice, train or compete until all information is turned in to the Freed-Hardeman University athletic office.

Upon arrival to FHU for physicals, please submit legible copies of the following:
1) Current Driver's License
2) Current Primary Health Insurance card (both sides)

Omission of these documents will result in the athlete not being able to participate in training, conditioning, practice and competition until received.

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT POLICIES
 
Insurance Process
No student-athlete will be permitted to participate in practices or games until all required insurance and admission forms are completed. A copy of the student-athlete's driver's license and both sides of insurance card should also be on file prior to participation.

All athletic injuries MUST be reported to the Athletic Trainer at the time of occurrence for completion of an injury report.  Omission of reporting to the trainer will release Freed-Hardeman University of any financial responsibility.

Student-athletes must understand that our insurance is secondary coverage and that they must first file with their primary insurance company. FHU Athletics will not cover the deductible or extra expenses if the student-athlete is not insured or if their insurance does not cover sports related injuries.  Student-athletes will be responsible for all charges/deductibles not covered by their primary health insurance and the university's secondary insurance.  In most cases, these charges are not more than $250 when appropriate documentation is submitted in a timely manner to the athletic office.

Our secondary insurance, Student Athletic Protection, Inc., only covers injuries or conditions that occur as the result of participation in FHU Athletics team conditioning, practice or play. Illness and injuries that occur outside of team situations are not covered. FHU Athletics is not responsible for preexisting injuries. Injuries that are not covered by the student-athlete's primary insurance may not be covered by FHU Athletics' secondary insurance.

It is important that student-athletes and parents understand that they are responsible for getting physician information, itemized bills, and explanation of benefits from their primary insurance company to Casey Glenn of Student Athletic Protection, Inc. Her number is 800-232-1579.

Our trainer and department secretary work closely with Casey and Sports Orthopedics & Spine to see that all required paperwork is submitted.

All international student-athletes are required to purchase FHU International Insurance as their primary health insurance through Diane Simmons, Office of Student Services.

Athletic Trainer/Team Doctor
The Athletic Trainer and team doctor are responsible for the physical welfare of each and every student-athlete. Coaches are expected to follow the recommendations of the Athletic Trainer. Should a disagreement arise concerning the fitness of a student-athlete to participate, the Athletic Trainer will notify the Athletic Director. The Athletic Director will have the final say in the matter.

Should the Team Doctor recommend that a student-athlete not be allowed to participate in practice or play, the athlete will not play.

Physicals
Student-athletes are not to practice or play prior to having a physical exam conducted by Sports Orthopedics & Spine. Three dates will be provided for our teams. If a student-athlete is not able to participate on one of these dates, he/she will be required to pay for a physical. Our training staff and all coaches are expected to assist with physicals on all designated dates. Any exceptions must be approved, in advance, by the Athletic Director.            
 
STUDENT ATHLETE PROTECTION, INC., POLICY PROVISIONS

Each athlete must have PRIMARY MEDICAL INSURANCE.

For payable coverage, you must use the authorized medical vendor (clinics, physicians in your network) from the list your Primary Insurance provided you. If you choose not to use the authorized medical vendors of your Primary Insurance plan or do not receive written permission from your Primary Insurance to receive treatment from an out-of-network vendor, this Secondary Insurance (Student Athletic Protection, INC) will not pay the bills incurred.                                                                                                                                 
It is your responsibility to know what vendors are within in your Primary Medical Insurance Network.

Treatment by a licensed practitioner of medicine must begin within 90 days of the accident.

All athletic injuries MUST be reported to the Athletic Trainer.

Only expenses incurred within 52 weeks of the date of the original accident are considered under the Student Athletic Protection policy. When claims exceed the $15,000 the incurring period is extended to 104 weeks from the date of the original accident.

Notification of a claim (FHU Athletic Trainer) must be given to Student Athletic Protection within one year from the date of the accident. All medical bills must be presented for payment with fifteen (15) months of the date of the original accident. Submit all bills and EOBs to FHU Athletic Department (Trainer or Administrative Assistant) for processing to Student Athletic Protection, INC.

An Accident is defined as an unexpected, sudden and definable event, which is the direct cause of a bodily injury, independent of any illness, prior injury or congenital predisposition. Conditions which result from participation in sports do not necessarily constitute an accident, illnesses, diseases, degeneration and conditions caused by continued stress to a particular area of the body, and existing conditions aggravated or exacerbated by an accident may not be covered.

Exclusions are:
- Non-prescription drugs
- Use of electric or bio-medical devices
- Expenses incurred for the use of orthotics unless used exclusively to promote healing
- Fighting
- Sickness or disease in any form
- Hernia in any form
- Loss covered by other valid and collectible insurance plan
 
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW 
 
1) All information is due in the athletic office before you can have your pre-season physical.
2) Physical dates are:
- August 8, 2012 (Soccer, Golf)
- August 14, 2012 (Cross Country, Golf, Volleyball)
- August 28, 2012 (Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Cheerleaders, make-ups)
3) Please check with your coach for your team's physical dates and other details.
4) Have available copies of required documents (e.g., licenses, medical insurance card front and back) ready to present to the athletic trainer or administrative assistant upon arrival at FHU.
5) Read all documents below.
6) Print and complete all forms:
   
7) Mail above documents to:
 
Please complete the forms and mail to:
Freed-Hardeman University Athletics
158 E. Main St., Box 226
Henderson, TN  38340
 
Contact information
Phone: 731-989-6900
FAX: 731-989-6910
email: tcarter@fhu.edu
Office hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (central time zone)