McPherson College Insurance FAQ’s

  1. What does a student-athlete need in terms of insurance at McPherson College?
  2. McPherson College requires that all student-athletes carry a primary insurance policy, usually through mom or dad or McPherson Colleges’ Student Services Department, and a secondary insurance policy that is required by McPherson College and added to the student’s bill at the beginning of each year.
  1. What is the difference between the secondary insurance policy and my primary insurance policy?
  2. A primary insurance policy, again usually through a parent or McPherson Colleges’ Student Services department, will be used first to cover any health care costs for the student-athlete. Then the McPherson College secondary insurance policy covers the remaining amount due to the clinic, hospital or other provider for an athletically-related injury.
  1. What is the financial cost of the McPherson College Primary and Secondary policies?
  2. Charges fluctuate each year depending on how many students are enrolled in each plan and how often each plan pays for charges incurred. This year the cost of the primary insurance offered by McPherson College is approximately TBD and the secondary insurance is included in the athletic fee, which is approximately $630.
  1. I see a charge on my account for the McPherson College Primary Insurance, can I get that charge removed?
  2. We will gladly remove this charge from your account with evidence of primary insurance coverage through a parent or if you are self-insured. Please contact Philip Schoenwetter, MS, ATC at .
  1. Why does McPherson College require all student-athletes to buy the secondary insurance?
  2. The secondary insurance helps the Athletic Training Staff by ensuring that they can seek care, both emergency and non-emergency, in any athletic situation without regard to insurance concerns. The secondary insurance policy can also help reduce the financial strain on a student athlete by preventing health-care bills from piling up.
  1. I use my personal insurance company like Kaiser Permanente, HMO or government entity like Medicaid or Medicare?
  2. You may be able to use these companies based on individual situations. There may also be a need to send a student home for advanced medical care including, but not limited to surgery, appointments, physical therapy, etc…
  1. Can I opt out of buying the secondary insurance policy?
  2. To ensure that everyone has coverage under the secondary insurance policy there are no opt-out policies in place for McPherson College student-athletes.
  1. What does the secondary insurance policy cover?
  2. The secondary insurance policy covers all approved, athletic-related injuries, whether that is at practice, games or on their way to or from practice or games. This policy will cover all deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance that would normally have to be paid before a primary insurance policy would come into effect.
  1. Are there situations that the secondary insurance policy will not cover the student-athlete?
  2. Any non-athletic related doctor visits (ie. Sickness, asthma, etc.) and non-approved doctor visits are not covered by the secondary insurance policy. There are also special circumstances that may arise that would not be covered by the secondary insurance policy.
  1. Can a student-athlete seek medical care with their family physician?
  2. If prior approval has been given by a member of the McPherson College Athletic Training staff you may seek medical care outside of the McPherson College network of doctors.

*If you seek medical care outside of the McPherson College network of doctors, the secondary insurance will not be used to cover any charges incurred.

  1. Are second opinions covered under the secondary insurance policy?
  2. If prior approval has been given by a member of the McPherson College Athletic Training staff you may seek a second opinion for an injury.

*If you seek a second opinion without prior approval, the secondary insurance will not be used to cover any charges incurred.

  1. Who should I call if I have questions about the secondary insurance policy?
  2. The Head Athletic Trainer, Phil Schoenwetter, will gladly answer any questions you may have about our secondary insurance policy. His office phone number is (620) 242-0584 and is also posted in the McPherson College directory.