Injured Athletes Struggle With Medical Bills

College athletes who get hurt while training or competing are often responsible for thousands of dollars in unpaid medical bills, The New York Times reported today.

The NCAA requires colleges to make sure that their athletes have medical insurance before allowing them to compete, but sometimes the policies do not cover out-of-state treatment or injuries suffered during varsity sports, the Times found.

Some colleges provide secondary policies to cover what the athletes’ policies do not, but the scope of the coverage varies, and it can be expensive.

The NCAA’s catastrophic health coverage, with a $75,000 deductible, is reserved for only the most serious injuries.

One athlete had $80,000 in unpaid medical bills after she injured her back and legs training for her crew team. Insurance covered less than a third of the total cost, and because of the way her condition was diagnosed, her college did not offer financial assistance, she told the Times.

Spalding University, in Louisville, Ky., does provide secondary insurance for its athletes. “These young men and young women are representing your institution,” said Charlie Just, compliance director in the athletics program. “Ethically, I think it’s the right thing to do.” —Libby Sander