Dear Scholar-athlete,
On behalf of the University of Mary Sports Medicine staff, they welcome the incoming Marauder scholar-athlete to the University’s athletic programs. Important information regarding Sports Medicine policies, procedures, and required documentation is provided below. The Health History and Physical must be completed on University of Mary forms, which are available on the University of Mary athletics website (goumary.com ? Inside Athletics ? Sports Medicine). These forms may also have been distributed by the coaching staff.
The Sports Medicine team comprises full-time and part-time Certified Athletic Trainers (ATCs), Sanford Health–assigned ATCs, and physicians. Each team is assigned an athletic trainer. Preventative care, treatment, and rehabilitation services offered by the ATC staff are not billed to the scholar-athlete’s insurance.
Important Insurance Information
The University of Mary does not provide any primary or secondary medical insurance coverage. All scholar-athletes must carry personal medical insurance, either individually or through a parent/guardian. The University does not endorse or recommend any specific insurance plans—that responsibility belongs to the scholar-athlete or their family.
A. Scholar-athletes should review their primary insurance policy’s rules to ensure coverage for non-injury medical care, including illnesses and infections. Without adequate coverage, treatment in Bismarck may be out-of-pocket.
B. It is advisable to notify the insurance provider of academic-related travel away from home, to confirm coverage in Bismarck.
C. Determine whether the insurance requires visits to specific healthcare providers.
D. Referrals to healthcare professionals will be determined by the Sports Medicine staff.
E. Staff will assist with referrals and aim to secure providers who accept the scholar-athlete’s insurance.
F. Any injuries or illnesses requiring off-campus clinic visits will be billed to insurance or must be self-paid if coverage is not available. Imaging services (e.g. x-rays or scans) require referral to a local clinic. The Sports Medicine staff will coordinate comprehensive care.
Coverage Reminders
G. Health insurance is mandatory. U.S. scholar-athletes may use a parent’s policy until age 26 or obtain coverage via healthcare.gov exchanges.
H. Understand limitations of managed-care plans: those covering only emergency services are inadequate for routine athletic medical care. Out-of-network policies must be followed per primary insurance terms.
- International scholar-athletes must have insurance valid in Bismarck, North Dakota.
Return-to-Play Authority
In cases of injury or illness, decisions regarding return to play are made collaboratively by the University of Mary Sports Medicine staff and/or team physicians. While scholar-athletes and parents may seek external medical opinions, the final authority on return-to-play clearance remains with the University’s Sports Medicine staff and/or team physicians.
Clinical Support Services – Billed through your Insurance
A. Sanford Health serves as the University’s Sports Medicine partner, providing physicians including general practitioners and orthopedic specialists.
B. A Family Nurse Practitioner is available through the CHI Student Health Clinic on campus for general medical concerns.
C. Additional local medical providers include CHI Health, Essentia–MidDakota Clinic, and The Bone and Joint Center.
D. Counseling and mental health services are offered via Sanford Health or CHI Health.
E. Physical therapy received at off-campus clinics will be billed to insurance.
F. All scholar-athletes must submit a current physical annually, prior to participating in strength and conditioning sessions, pre-season testing, practices, or competitions. The required physical form is available in the Sports Medicine section of goumary.com.
G. Who can perform the physical Examination: Any licensed medical physician, including a team physician or the scholar-athlete’s personal physician, may administer or supervise the mandatory medical examination. A nurse practitioner whose state medical licensure allows for health care practice independent of physician supervision may complete the mandatory medical examination. [Division I and II Bylaw 17.1.5; Division III Bylaw 17.1.6.4]
H. Important documents and participation checklists are posted on the University of Mary Sports Medicine webpage.
I. A medical information checklist for both new and returning scholar-athletes is accessible on the same site.
If any questions arise before arriving on campus, contact:
Ray Hall, MMgt, LAT, ATC
Director of Sports Medicine
University of Mary
Phone: 701-355-8157
Email: rphall@umary.edu
