Western New Mexico University Athletics (WNMU) provides secondary accident medical coverage for its student-athletes. All student-athletes, student athletic trainers, student-coaches, student-managers, and practice players must provide evidence of insurance that includes coverage for athletically-related injuries. No student will be allowed to participate in any way until such evidence of current insurance coverage is on file with the WNMU Athletic Training staff.
This policy is offered on an “excess” basis; therefore, the student-athlete needs primary insurance that covers them as a student-athlete in the State of New Mexico. Under the terms of our policy, WNMU is billed secondary to other valid and collectible medical insurance policies the student-athlete is affiliated with.
Overall, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING YOUR OWN HEALTH INSURANCE. To make your search easier, if you do not already have health insurance, the Department of Athletics has contacted a health insurance provider locally. They will work with you to streamline the process in order to get the coverage you need at an affordable price. Should you need to purchase insurance, WNMU works with local insurance companies to offer those student-athletes that need coverage a policy that is affordable and covers athletic injuries in Silver City and New Mexico.
Please contact Robert Rydeski or Rod Billings at Rydeski & Company 575-388-5433, toll free 866-388-5433, rodb@rydeskiandco.com or at www.nmhealthinsurance.com. You may also contact Susan Sumrall at Farm Bureau 575-538-5864. If you need an insurance policy please begin this process as soon as possible because many insurance companies require a processing period. The Sliding Fee Discount Program offered by Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) will NOT work as it is not an insurance program.
If you have questions regarding the terms of your coverage, you should contact your insurer immediately. Please be sure to note if there are any exclusions in your policy regarding athletically-related injuries. Also check to be sure your policy covers the student-athlete in the state of New Mexico. Some insurance companies provide guest passes that may be used when the student-athlete is attending college out-of-state. The S-A is responsible for knowing how to obtain medical service when outside of the insured area (i.e. HMO’s Kaiser Permanente). It is important that the S-A understand that in some instances follow-up medical treatment must be obtained in the coverage area. WNMU will not be responsible for travel or other expenses related to these services.
The parameters we will require you and your insurance provider to have are:
1. The health insurance must be valid in New Mexico for collegiate athletics.
2. It must have a deductible at, or below, $1,000.00.
3. It must cover at least August 1 – May 31 (10 months).
4. You must have a primary policy that covers student-athletes up to the NCAA's catastrophic injury insurance program of $90,000 before participation.
5. Policy must cover intercollegiate athletic injuries.
Note: If you are not a New Mexico resident and chose an insurance policy that limits your access to medical services, such as surgery, physical therapy, physician’s visits, etc., you must go to your home state to get that assistance. We encourage you to look at your options carefully. Please check with guest pass policies if insurance will not cover the student-athlete in New Mexico.
WNMU will cover…
Injury costs related to athletic participation, as long as:
The injury occurred during a WNMU practice, game, training session, or team travel.
The physician visits, diagnostic tests, etc., are arranged by the WNMU Athletic Training staff.
The primary insurance company has been billed.
The paperwork for the injury has been received by the Athletic Training staff within 60 days of the billing date.
And WNMU will not cover…
Sickness-related costs (doctors visits, prescriptions, lab work, etc.).
Injury costs occurring outside of the sport participation requirements (accidents, pick-up games, intramurals, etc.).
Any physician visits or diagnostic tests not arranged by the WNMU Athletic Training staff regardless of athletic-related status.
Should insurance coverage lapse or be terminated the athlete or policy holder will be responsible for all medical bills. If the student-athlete gets injured and it is found that the S-A insurance has been dropped or there is no coverage for any reason, that S-A will be responsible for total payment of all medical expenses and will not resume activities with the WNMU athletic team until insurance is reinstated. If the S-A has any outstanding bills to medical providers and has not made payment arrangements with those providers, he/she may not participate in WNMU athletics until they are resolved.
Coverage for General Protection
Dental Care—The WNMU secondary insurance policy is only responsible for injury to sound natural teeth incurred while wearing a protective devise (mouth guard) in those sports which it is required.
Eyeglasses/Contact Lenses—There are no provisions for responsibility of payment of contact lenses or glasses which are lost or broken during an authorized practice or intercollegiate contest.
Splints, Braces, Orthotics—Chronic injury management and or recommended bracing for previous injuries is not the athletic department’s financial obligation, this includes orthotics.
General Medical—There will be no provisions made for any prescription medication related to any injury or illness. Any charges for medications will be the sole responsibility of the S-A and parent/guardian.
Foreign Athletes
Foreign athletes must have international insurance (insurance carrier has an office in the USA) that covers them for both primary and organized sports injuries. The insurance must also cover routine care.
If you have any questions about the Athletics Department policy change, feel free to contact:
WNMU Athletic Trainers
(575) 538-6236