Student-Athlete Information

Welcome to Harvard! As you and your parents sort through the important informational materials from the college, we want to highlight one issue that arises each year.

Harvard University requires all students to be covered by a policy of health insurance issued by a reputable insurance company.

There will be a decision about whether or not to waive the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Student Health Plan. The college offers health care to its student in two parts. These are summarized in the "To Waive or Not to Waive, a Guide to Health Insurance and Waiver Instructions" which is sent with the Student Health Plans packet. As you make your decision to waive the BC/BS portion, Harvard University Athletic Training Department recommends each student-athlete to participate in the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Student Health Plan of Massachusetts for the reasons listed below:

1. All team physicians, UHS, are hospitals and diagnostic providers all participate with this insurance plan

2. Easy referrals process to area specialists

3. No authorization needed prior to MRI's.

A common example of what can happen if a student-athlete waives the BC/BS of Massachusetts insurance. An injury is sustained which requires an MRI/CT Scan etc via our team physicians for diagnostic purposes.  With the BC/BS insurance the medical team can schedule an MRI within days at a local MRI facility. If the student-athlete waives the BC/BS insurance plan he/she will need to go home and use the facility that is covered by their insurance company. This process delays the care we can administer to our student-athletes and presents challenges in receiving any medical reports.   The same situation applies with respect to surgeries, referrals to specialists etc. Therefore we highly recommend all student-athletes to participate in the BC/BS of Massachusetts insurance plan.  

It is also important to acknowledge that:

Harvard University will NOT act as a secondary provider towards medical payment in the event of an injury/illness during athletic participation.

All medical bills incurred by the student-athlete are the responsibility of the student-athlete, parent(s) or guardian(s).

There is specific student health insurance information at http://hushp.harvard.edu and information on Harvard University Health Services at http://huhs.harvard.edu.

1. Only upperclass athletes who had a previous physical at University Health Services (UHS) can have clearance performed at Dillon Field House.
2. Any freshman or upperclassman who has not had a previous physical at UHS must call 496-3249 to schedule an appointment to be seen.
3. Clearance for upperclass athletes is to be performed according to scheduled times and dates. If there is a time conflict athlete must reschedule with supervising athletic trainer (and is at the discretion of supervising athletic trainer).
4. Preseason Sports Clearance Schedule - TBD

Athletic Training Room Policies

1. All student-athletes must shower before receiving treatment in the athletic training rooms.
2. The use of cellular phones is PROHIBITED in the athletic training rooms
3. Whirlpool temperatures, in hydrotherapy room, are to be managed by Sports Medicine Staff Only.
4. All personal belongings & sports equipment (coats, shoes, boots, backpacks, bats, sticks etc...) should be left in the locker room or outside the athletic training rooms during the visit.
5. Both athletic training rooms are coed. Appropriate dress is required at all times.
6. Student-athletes should not use any equipment in the athletic training rooms without supervision by a member of the sports medicine staff.
7. Please refrain from using inappropriate language or creating excessive noise while in the athletic training rooms.
8. Absolutely no food or glass drink bottles are allowed in the athletic training rooms at any time.

Concussion Policy

Click here to read the full concussion policy (Word)

Videos
• Concussions: Don't Hide It, Report It, Take Time to Recover
• 30 second PSA: NCAA Concussion Awareness

Video
• The Student-Athlete with the Sickle Cell Trait 

Articles
• Background on sickle cell trait and the NCAA 
• Sickle Cell Trait - A Fact Sheet for Coaches (pdf)
• Sickle Cell Trait - A Fact Sheet for Student-Athletes (pdf)

Articles
• Experts stress need for acclimation with conditiong drills
• Rhabdo requires prompt diagnosis, treatment
• New cardiac study reaises questions about diagnosis and response
• NCAA resources help student-athletes beat the heat
• Football and Heat Illness - Background on Heat Illness and NCAA Football (pdf)

• Dillon: M-F 7am-12pm; 1:30-7pm
  617.495.2200 Phone
  617.495.8591 Fax
• MAC: M-F 1:30-7pm (unless otherwise posted)
  617.496.3465
• Weekend hours are dependent on "traditional season" practices and events.