State University of New York at New Paltz, 1 Hawk Drive, 103 Elting Gym, New Paltz, NY 12561
HawksAT@newpaltz.edu
Voice & Text: 201-HawksAT (201-429-5728)
Fax: 845-257-3921
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
**FAQ is meant to be a quick reference only. Please be sure to read the entire Athletic Training Policy Guide for full details**
What is an athletic trainer?
Athletic trainers are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to optimize patient and client activity and participation in athletics, work and life. The practice of athletic training encompasses the prevention, examination and diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of emergent, acute, subacute, and chronic neuromusculoskeletal conditions and certain medical conditions in order to minimize subsequent impairments, functional limitations, disability, and societal limitations.
Where can I find the Athletic Trainers?
The Athletic Training Room is located on the first floor of Elting Gym in Room 103.
What are the Athletic Training Hours?
Athletic Training Room (ATR) hours are subject to change due to practice and competition times as well as staff availability. The ATR will not open prior to 6:00 AM, and close no later than 10:00PM on regular practice days. The ATR will typically be open one hour prior to practices (two hours prior to competitions) and 30 minutes following for appointments including ongoing treatment, taping, and quick consults. Any student-athlete requiring athletic training services including injury evaluation, treatment and/or rehabilitation should schedule an appointment by texting 201-HAWKSAT (201 429-5728).
What are the Athletic Training Room Rules?
-
Return all equipment (e.g. carts, coolers, tape cutters, wraps, etc.) as soon as done using
I Got Hurt playing a sport at SUNY New Paltz- What Should I Do?
If the injury happens at practice tell the athletic training (AT) staff. If the injury happens at a practice with no AT present, make sure to tell your coach, who will contact the AT staff.
If you notice the injury after practice once you have already left the facility, report to the athletic training room as soon as possible the following day. If this injury appears urgent and you are unsure what to do, call or text the athletic training staff at (201)HAWKSAT . If the injury appears to be urgent and you cannot reach an AT for any reason, seek medical attention immediately at the nearest urgent care or emergency room.
If you are injured at an away contest, make sure your coach is aware and consult the home athletic training staff. Follow up with the SUNY New Paltz AT staff as soon as possible once you return to campus. If you are not sure what to do, call or text the AT staff at (201) HAWKSAT. If you reach out to the SUNY New Paltz AT staff while you are traveling, make sure your coach is aware. Your coach can also contact the AT staff on your behalf.
If you are injured when you are NOT participating in your sport, please tell the AT staff anyway because no matter where an injury happened, it may affect your ability to participate safely. If you see an outside physician for an non sport related injury, please fax any office notes, just as you would for a sport related injury.
What are my responsibilities when I am injured?
The student athlete's responsibility is to follow the AT instructions regarding their injury, and participate in their treatment plan as scheduled. Missed appointments or failure to complete treatment or rehabilitation programs will be reported the coaching staff. Athletes are not to participate once removed from practice until they are re-evaluated and deemed able to participate. Remember, sometimes an injury can feel better before it actually is better. The AT staff can determine which activities are safe for participation. Keep following up with the AT staff until your injury is resolved and you are released from treatment by an AT.
The Athletic Trainers say I need to see a doctor or get an X-ray- how does that work?
The athletic training staff has a relationship with several area doctors who are willing to see our athletes quite quickly. The AT staff will take your schedule set up an appointment for you with one of these physicians. If you wish to see your own physician that is perfectly acceptable, however you will have to be responsible for setting that appointment. You should always let the AT staff know of upcoming appointments that you set up individually BEFORE they occur, unless it is urgent or emergency treatment. In that case, AT staff should be notified as soon as possible or within two days, whichever is first.
Any time a student athlete seeks medical care beyond the athletic training room, they are responsible to bring documentation of their visit, including office notes, imaging results, and any restrictions the physician may have placed on the individual. Without documentation you may not be allowed to participate. AT opinion cannot override physician orders, so in order to make a decision about your status, documentation from the physician is legally required.
I feel sick, not injured, what do I do?
Any student-athlete with symptoms of illness should contact Student Health Services at 845 257 3400 for an appointment. Student Health Services regularly communicates with AT staff regarding illness of student-athletes to determine the level of safe participation during the illness.
I keep getting bills, but I thought the school pays for injuries- what's going on?
The SUNY New Paltz Athletics Department provides a secondary insurance policy for all student-athletes. This means the student-athlete's own personal insurance or that of the athlete's spouse or parents must be billed first, and that benefits are available from the secondary policy only after the primary insurance has paid their portion. This means that you may be charged up front for items such as co-pays, and you may receive bills for remaining balances once your primary insurance pays their portion of the benefits. However, these can normally be reimbursed if the proper paperwork is filed. See the information sheet "SUNY New Paltz Athletics Department Insurance Program" for more details. It is very important to fill out the secondary insurance paperwork with an AT ahead of any physician appointments (except for true emergency) so that no extra billing is generated.
Athletic Training Policy Information for Student-Athletes
Below you can find more detail about the policies and procedure for Athletic Training
Access to Athletic Training Services
All student-athletes may be seen by appointment with the athletic training staff provided:
1. The injury occurs during a team-sanctioned activity
2. They are already being treated for an injury sustained while in-season OR
3. They have provided documentation from a health care professional regarding the injury should it occur during a non-team-sanctioned event* AND
4. They are listed on an official team roster as a member of the team**
In Season and Non-Traditional Season
In-season and non-traditional season student athletes will have access to regular athletic training services. All student athletes seeking to meet with AT staff should set an appointment in advance by texting 201 HAWKSAT and should aim to set the appointment around the time of their own practice. For example, athletes with morning practices should use the athletic training room in the morning, and the same for afternoon, or evening. If this is not possible due to class conflict, staffing shortage, or the like, AT staff will help to find a time that works. Missed appointments will be reported to the coaching staff. "Walk-ins" are discouraged.
Out-of-Season
Should a student-athlete sustain an injury while participating in intramurals, open recreation, or any other out-of-season activity, they must act as a member of the general student population and follow the procedures instituted by the Department of Athletics, Wellness and Recreation. Note that athletic department secondary insurance will not cover these injuries. Out-of-season student-athletes may have access to ice; however, must adhere to these procedures should they incur an injury.
*It is the responsibility of the student-athlete to seek appropriate care prior to meeting with a staff athletic trainer should the injury occur during a non-team-sanctioned activity. The athletic training staff may be able to work with a student-athlete on any rehabilitation that needs to be done as a result of the injury after the initial treatment has been completed by a health care professional. Student-athletes seeking to work with the athletic training staff on rehabilitation need to schedule an appointment to meet with them to set up an appropriate schedule for treatment. If the student-athlete sees a health care professional, s/he must bring any documentation regarding findings and treatment plans to the athletic training office before any athletic trainer led rehab can take place.
** Walk-ons/tryouts/freshman will be considered a part of the general student population until listed on an official roster. Students who are candidates (on an official preseason roster) for an intercollegiate team will be provided service 30 days prior to the official start of the competitive season.
Other Equipment
Any equipment (i.e. crutches, ace wraps, splints, slings, etc.) loaned to a student-athlete by the SUNY New Paltz Athletic Training Staff must be returned to the athletic training office or a charge may be placed on the student's account. Please encourage students to follow this policy.
Concussion Policy
The SUNY New Paltz Athletic Training Staff utilizes a three-fold concussion management strategy to establish a baseline for each student-athlete. Every new (first-year or transfer) student-athlete in the sports of field hockey, soccer (men and women), volleyball (men and women), basketball (men and women), baseball, softball, lacrosse must receive a pre-season baseline screening from Sway Medical, which measures a variety of neurological and cognitive functions. In the event of a suspected concussion, the concussion management protocol requires the evaluation of the athlete's symptoms, neurocognitive function, and balance which provide the athletic training staff with the objective information necessary to return the athlete to play safely. These may be assessed using the Sway Medical mobile app, or through the Sideline Concussion Assessment Tool 6 (SCAT 6) at the discretion of the attending AT staff. The findings of these post-injury assessments are then compared to baseline assessments. Once the post-injury values have reached the baseline measurements, a multi-day progressive exercise protocol is instituted. Once the progression is completed without any return of concussion symptoms, AT staff will release the student athlete to return to normal sport activities. Please remember that students must go through a graduated return to play even with clearance from their physician.
If the athletic training staff is not available when a head injury occurs, the coach is responsible for immediately removing the athlete from play and contacting the athletic training staff for further instruction. Only a medical professional (Athletic Trainer or Physician) may be responsible for return to play decisions. All concussions sustained will adhere to University protocol. All concussions incurred within one year prior to a student athlete's start with New Paltz athletics will necessitate physician clearance prior to the start of the season.
Physician Appointments
Appointments will be made by the athletic training staff in most cases. Student-athletes will be given directions to the facility, health forms to complete prior, and instructed to sign an authorization for release of medical records to be sent to the athletic training department. Following ANY appointment, whether set by the athletic training staff or through the student's own physician, student athletes must submit documentation including the following:
1. Diagnosis
2. Treatment
3. Restrictions
4. Level of Clearance
5. Diagnostic Reports
It is expected that any student-athlete who sees a physician, including Student Health Services, be prepared to sign an authorization to release medical information to the athletic training department.
Our student-athletes benefit from a close relationship, both professionally and geographically, with Student Health Services and with local orthopedists. All return-to-play or restriction decisions will ultimately be made by our team physician, team orthopedist and the Director of Student Health Services, unless under the care of another physician. While student-athletes have the right to second opinion, SUNY New Paltz is not responsible for expenses incurred from the physician consultations for the purpose of a second opinion unless referred by the Team Medical Staff. SUNY New Paltz is not responsible for expenses incurred from physician consultations for the purpose of a second opinion when requested by the student‐athlete and/or parents, guardian, and/or spouse.
Primary Insurance Requirement
All student-athletes are required to have proof of insurance prior to participating in intercollegiate athletics at SUNY New Paltz. Most are covered by their parents' insurance or have their own personal health insurance. If a SA does not have insurance, it may be purchased through the school.
Health Insurance is billed automatically to all students who are enrolled for at least 12 credits. This is a conditional fee, which can only be waived upon submission of proof that the student has his or her own health insurance coverage, or is covered under someone else's policy. For more information on the school's Student Injury and Sickness Insurance Plan, or to waive the plan, visit the Student Accounts web site at: http://www.newpaltz.edu/student_accounts/health_ins.html
If there are any changes in insurance coverage at any time during the school year, the student-athlete must notify the athletic training staff immediately. Updates to the Insurance Tab on the ATS online system and a new front and back picture of the insurance card must also be submitted to the athletic training staff.
Secondary Insurance Policy
The SUNY New Paltz Athletics Department provides a secondary insurance policy for all student-athletes. This policy is separate from the University's Health Insurance Plan, which may act as the student athlete's primary coverage. Injury benefits for student-athletes are provided on an excess basis. This means the student-athlete's own personal insurance or that of the athlete's spouse or parents must be billed first, and that benefits are available from the secondary policy only when the student-athletes are exhausted. Currently, our secondary insurance has a zero dollar deductible.
Our secondary insurance provides coverage to student-athletes who have had an accident or injury in which:
1. The injury was sustained during a supervised, officially sanctioned NCAA practice and/or scheduled contest, or travel to/from one of these.
2. The injury is orthopedic in nature (Non-orthopedic illnesses or medical conditions and their associated treatment plans are the sole responsibility of the student athlete and are NOT covered by the secondary insurance).
3. The injury was not pre-existing.
4. The injury was reported to the athletic training staff within two days of occurrence.
5. The athletic training staff was notified prior to the student athlete seeking outside evaluation or treatment unless the injury occurred during team travel and was referred by the visiting team's athletic training staff.
6. The incurred costs from the injury are deemed medically necessary by the providing physician.
If the student athlete's injury meets the above criteria, he/she will be given this document along with the secondary insurance information which MUST be given to each treating medical professional/facility at the first appointment in order to assure claims are handled efficiently.
If there is a balance due on any bill from an injury after the student-athlete's insurance company has made payment to the maximum allowable limit, AT staff will work with our insurance provider to ensure to appropriate secondary benefits are applied. This may involved the submission of copies of all original itemized bills, copies of all insurance company Explanation of Benefits Statements (EOBs), and copies of receipts from any costs paid by the student-athlete upon transaction. Failure to submit requested supporting documentation may affect the outcome of a claim. The SUNY New Paltz Athletics Department participates in the "NCAA Catastrophic Athletic Injury Insurance Program." This program provides lifetime medical benefits to student-athletes who are catastrophically injured during competition, and/or practice, related to intercollegiate athletic participation. The NCAA Catastrophic Athletic Injury Insurance Program has a $75,000 deductible. For more information on this program, look online at: www.ncaa.org.
