Yale

Athletic Medicine

The Yale University Athletic Medicine Department is dedicated to promoting and providing comprehensive healthcare for all Yale student-athletes and to enhancing their physical and mental well-being.
 
Clearance Process
A pre-participation medical evaluation is required by the NCAA upon a student-athlete’s entrance into an institution’s intercollegiate athletics program.  This is conducted under the direction of the Yale head team physician with the help of the athletic training and athletic medicine staff at Yale Health Center. This initial evaluation includes a standardized medical history, an immunizations records review, a mental health screening, and cardiovascular screening, baseline concussion testing, neurological and musculoskeletal evaluations. 
 
After the initial medical evaluation, an updated medical history is obtained on an annual basis.  The head team physician is ultimately responsible for the clearance decision to participate and for the return-to-play decisions for Yale’s varsity student-athletes.
 
In addition to a medical evaluation, Yale Athletic Medicine requires each student-athlete to sign an informed consent and assumption of risk agreement, an acknowledgement for understanding concussion signs and symptoms, and Yale’s health insurance policy.
 
Student-athletes who sustain injuries or have other medical problems that may restrict participation may be placed on the medical disability list, as determined by the Athletic Medicine staff.  Student-athletes will be permitted to return to participation as quickly as is safely possible under the direction of the Athletic Medicine team. Close cooperation of the student-athlete with the team physician and athletic training staff is essential during this time. Student-athletes may be permitted to participate in supervised conditioning or modified practices while on the disability list, as determined by the team physician and athletic trainer.
 
Health Insurance
All student-athletes are required to have insurance covering athletic-related injuries per rules adopted by the NCAA institutions.  Once claims or expenses for such an injury reach $90,000, the NCAA’s catastrophic insurance plan may cover the costs for an injured student-athlete. Student-athletes should review the NCAA’s insurance plan documents for additional information about this insurance.  
 
At Yale University, all degree candidates are automatically enrolled in the Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty coverage.  Details of this plan can be found on the Yale Health website or by calling Yale Health Member Services at 203-432-0246.  If you elect to use other coverage, you must give notice each academic year and provide proof of insurance plan.
 
Medical Expenses for Athletic Related Issues
All medical expenses incurred (including premiums, deductibles, co-payments and other 
charges) for treatment of athletic-related injuries are the responsibility of the student-athlete. This includes all expenses related to x-rays, MRIs, bone scans, lab tests, hospitalization, physical therapy, surgery, emergency room services, emergency transport service and professional fees associated with those services.  This applies even if an injury is sustained in a practice or competition while representing Yale.
 
Yale Health Insurance Coverage and Options
The Yale Health Basic provides primary care services to all degree candidates enrolled at Yale at no additional charge. Primary care services and departments include: athletic medicine (varsity student-athletes only), student medicine, internal medicine, mental health and counseling, urgent care, inpatient care facility, gynecological and on-site laboratory tests. All degree candidates have the option of purchasing coverage which includes hospitalization and specialty services (Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care Plan) or maintaining private insurance. Specialty services include allergy, audiology, dermatology, ear, nose and throat, general surgery, off-site lab testing, neurology, obstetrics, ophthalmology, orthopedics, physical therapy, radiology and urology. These services are fully covered by the Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care Plan if purchased for the selected fiscal year.
 
Personal Insurance Coverage
If a student-athlete elects to waive the Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care coverage and to rely on a personal insurance plan instead, the student-athlete will be responsible for all expenses, including premiums, deductibles, co-payments, out-of-network charges, etc. If the student-athlete is a member of an HMO or PPO, the insurance may not provide coverage out of their prescribed service area (network). Student-athletes and their families should investigate whether they need a referral form from their primary care physician at home in order to see a specialist (e.g., orthopedist, cardiologist, etc.), which may be required by their insurance company.  Only after the primary insurance is billed will Yale Athletics secondary insurance policy be utilized.
 
Student-athletes should also have a clear understanding of the policies and procedures maintained by their insurance for expensive services such as MRIs, bone scans, dental injuries, knee braces, and other common sports medicine services.
 
Yale Athletics Secondary Insurance Coverage
In adherence with NCAA legislation, Yale Athletics provides a secondary insurance policy that covers excess medical expenses incurred by the injured student-athlete. To be eligible, the student-athlete must have a documented athletically-related injury.  A claim must be submitted to the athletics insurance staff on behalf of the student-athlete by an athletic trainer. Yale’s secondary insurance policy will only provide excess coverage for medical expenses incurred and billed to the student-athletes primary insurance first. The athletic trainer will supply the injured student-athlete with the secondary policy information for billing, when applicable.  The secondary insurance information must be provided at all approved medical appointments by the student-athlete at the time of the appointment in order to ensure coverage. If not provided at the time of service, the student-athlete is responsible for ensuring the secondary policy information is provided via phone to the service provider after the services are provided. All bills incurred should be brought to the attention of the athletics insurance staff at yaleathleticsinsurance@yale.edu. 
 
*Yale Athletics defines athletically related as CARA approved activities.
 
Other Services
Yale Athletics will not reimburse or cover any expenses related to physical therapy rendered outside Yale Health Center, chiropractic care, acupuncture, or other alternative treatments, lost corrective lenses or medications to treat injuries, illnesses, or other medical conditions, unless previously approved by head team physician.
 
Injury Management and Treatment of Illness
It is the responsibility of the student-athlete to report all injuries and illnesses to a staff athletic trainer as soon as possible. Open and honest disclosure of injury and illness by the student-athlete is the only way to deliver the highest level of care to the student-athlete. Athletic trainers will help the student-athlete by coordinating timely access to Yale Health physicians. The physician will make evaluations, direct treatment, referrals, and consultations. The student-athlete will receive available medical coverage only if these procedures are followed.
 
Should a student-athlete seek medical attention without a referral from an athletic trainer or team physician or outside of the framework above, the student-athlete must inform a staff athletic trainer that outside medical care has been sought. 

Student-athletes who wish to obtain an additional medical opinion regarding treatment or clearance may do so in conjunction with communication to the treating physician. In all cases, the clearance for practice and participation in competitions can only be issued by the Yale Sports Medicine and Yale Health Athletic Medicine physicians.
 
Emergency Action Plan
It is extremely important for all student athletes to be aware of emergency procedures. Quick action should be taken to provide the best care for a student-athlete during an emergency. If an athletic trainer or coach is not present at a captain’s practice, work out, or conditioning session, a student-athlete should do their best to manage the injury and initiate the emergency system.
 
Student-athletes should always have access to emergency communication of some type. This may be an emergency call box, a university phone, or cell phone. Student-athletes should know the nearest location of an emergency callbox or university phone when practicing or working out.
 
There are two general types of situations student-athletes may encounter. In an emergency, responders should stabilize the individual as best possible and call 911. Responders should then attempt to reach an athletic trainer on a university or emergency call box. It is important to contact the Yale Health Services Acute Care Department at 203-432-0123 for proper coordination of the student-athlete’s care.
 
For non-urgent injuries, responders should attempt to contact an athletic trainer for instructions and assistance. If responders are unable to reach an athletic trainer, responders should assist the student-athlete as needed from the practice area. If the student-athlete needs immediate attention, responders should go to Acute Care at Yale Health Services at 55 Lock Street. Responders should contact an athletic trainer as soon as possible to help coordinate care.
 
There are posted emergency action plans posted at athletics venues to help provide details to carefully manage each situation.  Each plan identifies physical addresses, access roads, phone numbers, and location of emergency equipment.
 
Concussion Management
Concussion management at Yale is a coordinated effort by the athletic training staff and the athletic medicine team at Yale Health.  Yale makes NCAA concussion fact sheets and other applicable educational materials available to its students-athletes. In addition, student-athletes must agree to report any signs and symptoms of concussion to a member of the sports medicine staff at Yale. 
 
Pre-Participation Assessment
Prior to an individual’s participation in varsity athletics, a baseline concussion assessment will be conducted as part of their medical evaluation.  This will include a brain injury/concussion history, symptom evaluation, balance, and cognitive assessment.  The Yale team physician will determine clearance and/or the need for additional testing.
 
Recognition and diagnosis of concussion
All student-athletes who experience signs and/or symptoms consistent with a brain injury will be removed from participation and a medical professional will conduct an evaluation.  Until the student-athlete is cleared for return by the medical staff, they will be placed on the medical disability list and not eligible for participation. 
 
Management of Concussion
The team physician may prescribe student-athletes that have been diagnosed with a concussion a rehabilitation plan to be performed under the direction of an athletic trainer.  The Yale athletic trainers will work in conjunction with the team physician during the student-athlete’s graduated return to sport. 
If the team physician deems academic accommodations necessary, a medical note to the student-athlete’s Dean will outline what modifications are recommended. The student-athlete should contact the Resource Office on Disabilities (203-432-8250) for additional information about requesting academic accommodations.      
 
NCAA Banned Substances and Drug Testing
Please see the sections on NCAA Banned Substances and Drug Testing for information.
 
NCAA Banned Substances and Drug Testing
Please see the sections on NCAA Banned Substances and Drug Testing for information. 

Sport Performance and Innovation Regulations 
This section reflects standard policies and procedures. Some adjustments may have been made to these policies and procedures to account for the COVID-19 pandemic. Please confirm these policies if necessary. 

The Yale Athletics Sports Performance & Innovation Department operates the strength and conditioning programs across facilities. All current and eligible student-athletes have the opportunity to train in these facilities. Each student-athlete who works with a S&C certified staff member must abide by the following regulations:

1. Consult the posted schedule for team weight room times and contact the strength & conditioning staff in advance if unable to attend a scheduled workout. Student-athletes may work out during their team’s scheduled times, but not during another team’s scheduled time (unless prior arrangements have been made).
    
2. Proper team-issued attire, including shirts and shoes, are required at all times.  No spikes, cleats, bare feet, or open toe/unlaced footwear are permitted.  Each team’s policies regarding apparel and appearance (as well as conduct), as set by respective head coaches, are in effect in the weight room.
    
3. No hats or head wear covering the head are allowed in the weight rooms. Athletic headbands to keep hair out of athlete’s eyes are acceptable.
    
4. Safety first! Treat platforms and power racks as workstations, and always be aware and respectful of another student-athletes’ training environment.  Use equipment correctly; use collars and spotter(s) on free weight exercises; use proper form; and never sacrifice technique for weight.
    
5. Take pride in the weight room and keep it in order.  It is each student-athlete’s responsibility to pick up after themselves.  Keep equipment in its proper location (do not rearrange or remove).  Strip bars, rack weights correctly and replace all items when done.  Equipment is to be kept off the floor (except for the platforms) and properly racked when not in use.
    
6. Food, open beverage containers, gum, or glass of any kind are not permitted in the weight room. Sport bottles may be used throughout the weight room, but cups are not allowed.
    
7. The stereo is to be controlled by the strength & conditioning staff only. Music with profane or obscene lyrics is not permitted in the weight room. Headphones are not permitted at any time.
    
8. Consult with the strength & conditioning staff regarding any questions, concerns, or suggestions. Failure to observe posted regulations and schedules may result in suspension or termination of weight room privileges at the discretion of the staff through the course of the semester or school year.