Since the 1970-71 school year, the Michigan High School Athletic Association has provided participants at each member school and all registered officials with insurance which is intended to help pay catastrophic excess accident medical bills to administer to injuries sustained in athletic activities under MHSAA jurisdiction.

In 1998-99, the MHSAA program will provide up to a maximum of $250,000 for any one injury for excess accident medical expenses payable after a deductible of $25,000 per injury. The plan covers excess medical expenses above the $25,000 deductible left unpaid by the parents’ insurance, school insurance and all other insurance sources, provided first expense is incurred no later than 26 weeks after the date of the accident and $25,000 of eligible expenses are incurred within three years of the date of the accident.

Provided accidental death or dismemberment occurs within one year of the date of injury, the policy includes a $10,000 loss of life clause with $10,000 for loss of both hands, both feet, or sight of both eyes. There is a $5,000 benefit for loss of one hand, one foot, or sight of one eye.

Coverage is provided for grades 7-12 for all students accidentally injured while attending any activity which the school authorities require the student to attend or while students are engaged in interscholastic athletic activities under the jurisdiction of the Michigan High School Athletic Association; namely: baseball, basketball (boys and girls), cross country (boys and girls), football, golf (boys and girls), gymnastics (girls), competitive cheer (girls), ice hockey, soccer (boys and girls), softball (girls), alpine skiing (boys and girls), swimming and diving (boys and girls), tennis (boys and girls), track and field (boys and girls), volleyball (girls), and wrestling.

All students who participate in interscholastic athletic activities are covered provided their names are listed on the Master Eligibility List of the school for that sport season. Ineligible student athletes are not covered even if listed. Student athletes are covered while traveling directly to and from a scheduled event as a representative of the school in a school vehicle or private vehicle designated by the school as school transportation and while participating in an activity under the direct supervision of a full-time school employee or coach designated by the school acting within the scope of his/her coaching duties in those sports regulated by the MHSAA. Officials must be on the premises of the contest.

Persons designated by school administration as volunteer coaches, and faculty members paid less than $600 per year total by the school, are covered under this policy. Other coaches are not covered under this policy, but may be covered by workers compensation insurance.

MHSAA Catastrophic Accident Medical Insurance does NOT cover ANY out-of-season activities or any activities occurring beyond the mileage limits of Regulation II, Section 6, Interpretation 164, even if those activities are not expressly prohibited by the MHSAA.
Sideline cheerleaders are covered while traveling directly to and from interscholastic athletic events as a representative of the school in a school vehicle or private vehicle designated by the school as school transportation, and while cheering at interscholastic athletic events under the direct supervision of a full-time school employee or coach designated by the school. Sideline cheerleaders are not covered during practice or while traveling to and from or participating in cheerleading jamborees, festivals, camps, or competitions.
The policy is underwritten by Life Insurance Company of North America. Policy holder is the Michigan High School Athletic Association and is held by the Executive Director. The policy is paid for by the MHSAA with no direct or indirect cost to any member school or individual.

The claims administrator is Preferred Care, Inc., Six Neshaminy Interplex, Suite 205, Trevose, PA 19053 (1-800-263-4910). The Administrator must be notified within 90 days and no later than one year from the date of accident of any impending claim. Claim notification after one year from the date of accident may void the coverage for this layer of coverage. VERY IMPORTANT: It is the obligation of the school to decide when and if to notify the Administrator of any possible claim. Many times it takes over one year to work through the parental and school insurance on a large claim; but if the Administrator has received a completed claim form within one year of the accident, there is no problem submitting the balance of the medical expense after one year has elapsed. The benefit period is the lifetime of the injured person after the date of the accident, provided first expense is incurred no later than 26 weeks after the date of the accident and $25,000 of eligible expenses are incurred within three years of the date of the accident.
This is not intended as a complete description of the terms and conditions of the policy. Please contact the Administrator for further details.