Wisconsin to offer concussion insurance to student-athletes

Wisconsin this summer will become the fourth state to offer concussion insurance to student-athletes, the state’s athletic association announced.

Every athlete in grades six through 12 at a Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) member school will be covered beginning Aug. 1. The WIAA purchased a policy for all of its 80,000 student-athletes, providing them with zero out-of-pocket costs should they suffer a concussion.

“We don’t want a single student-athlete to not be evaluated or treated for a concussion because of the cost,” former Board of Control president Mike Beighley said in a news release. “This coverage provides one more level of support for member schools and student-athletes in making school sports as safe an experience as they can be.”

Michigan, Montana and Arizona offer a similar type of insurance for student-athletes. Wisconsin’s insurance is the HeadStrong Concussion Insurance Program developed by Dissinger Reed Insurance. The policy costs $1.50 per athlete and covers athletes participating in any practice or game sanctioned by the WIAA. 

For any claim, the participant’s insurance would first be billed and then the HeadStrong Insurance would act as secondary insurance and assist with unpaid deductibles or co-pays. The maximum benefit is $25,000 per injury, and there is no deductible per claim. 

Click here to read the statement from the WIAA.


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