Athletic Trainer FAQ's
The student-athlete received a physical by their family doctor, do they need another physical to play a sport for masd?
No. As long as the physical examination by the doctor was completed after may 31st of last school year. But, just because a physical was performed by the doctor does not mean the student-athlete is cleared to participate.
My family doctor performed the phsycial examination within the proper time frame, what else needs done?
Fill out the entire physical examination packet from upmc and masd, excluding section 6, which will be completed by the doctor. If the physical examination from doctor occurred more than 6 weeks prior to the official piaa start date for the specific sport, section 7 of the physical packet must be completed prior to particiaption.
What are PIAA's official start dates for each season?
Fall: 2nd week of August. Winter: 2nd week of November. Spring: 1st week of March. Specific start dates can be found at piaa.org
Where can I find physical exam paperwork for my student-athlete?
All paperwork relating to physical examinations can be found on the Medical Information page under Athletics on the MASD website.
What is Section 7/Re-certification by a parent/guardian?
This form must be completed by a parent/guardian of a student who has previously received a physical for another sport during the same school year. This form must be completed no earlier than 6 weeks prior to the start date for the next sport season. For example, a football player wishing to play basketball will need Section 7 completed after football season before being medically cleared to play basketball.
What is Section 8/Re-certification by licensed physician of medicine or osteopathic medicine?
This form must be completed by a doctor as an extension of section 7, if a student who has played another sport during the school year has answered “yes” to any of the six questions in supplemental health history.
Once all of the paperwork has been completed, is the student-athlete cleared to participate in athletics for MASD?
No. All of the paperwork must be turned into the athletic office at the high school by the coach, parent/guardian or student so that the paperwork can be examined, recorded and filed properly.
A student-athlete was injured at practice or a game, what should I do?
The student should report the injury to the coach who will then report the injury to the athletic trainers for evaluation and further observations.
I decided to take the student to the emergency room or an ugent care facility without being seen by the athletic trainers, the outside facility said he/she is fine, can he/she return to practice/play?
No. The student must have written documentation from the facility stating clearance to resume participating.
I am the parent/guardian/family member or student 18 years of age or older, can I give authorization or “sign off” to allow the student to participate without a doctor’s clearance?
No. The policy of masd athletics is that any student who is injured or incurs an illness that requires medical attention from a medical facility must be cleared by that office prior to returning to particpate in athletics.
An injury to a student has accumulated medically related financial charges, will the district’s insurance cover any or all portions of these charges?
Yes. If the student was injured while being a participant as a member of an athletic team for masd, in most cases, the district’s insurance will cover any medical bills that are not absorbed by the student’s medical insurance. For example, a student’s insurance covers only $500 towards a medical bill that has a bill total of $750. Therefore, the district’s insurance will cover the remaining $250.
How do I file a claim for the district’s insurance to cover medically-related financial charges?
If the student is injured, plese call the athletic office at 412-664-3680 to request an insurance packet and to request more information.