Medical Hardship Waivers: The Importance of Medical Documentation
We’re at the time of the college sports year when winter sports teams are approaching the end of their season and spring sports teams have started.
As spring sports begin, there will unfortunately be student-athletes who suffer an injury, become ill, or have mental health concerns at some point during their season. In these cases, a medical hardship waiver may be considered so that the athlete can retain a season of eligibility.
There are 3 main rules and requirements that are basically the same across all NCAA (or junior college) divisions to determine whether an athlete is eligible to receive a medical hardship waiver:
- Participation in no more than 30 percent of contests or dates of competition in an athlete’s sport in NCAA Division I or II (33 percent in Division III).
- An athlete can’t have played in a game after the half-way point of the season.
- The athlete must have incurred an injury or illness before the half-way point of the season and have proper medical documentation that was created during the time period of the injury or illness.
Medical documentation from an M.D. or licensed mental health professional must clearly state that the athlete is unable to participate any further in their season due to the injury or illness.
The medical documentation is especially important if an athlete is hoping to receive a Medical Hardship Waiver for mental health concerns.
Most athletes don’t want to share that they have been dealing with mental health issues with anybody including their coach, a medical professional or even their family.
We tell our clients that a Hardship Waiver for mental health issues is no different than a physical injury like a torn ACL.
Do You Have Questions & Need Expert Advice?
To discuss your athlete’s specific situation in a confidential consultation to see if they might qualify for a Medical Hardship Waiver (or for other types of Waivers such as for a family illness or a financial hardship), schedule a confidential Waivers and Appeals Consult online, email rick@informedathlete.com or call our office at 913-766-1235.
