question about sports physicals for high schools

[Anonymous]

this may be a dumb question but would appreciate anyone's experience.

My rising 9th grader plans to try out for a winter sport, so the way I read the physical requirement, he has to have a physical after May 1 of this year to try out (early November). His annual checkup is scheduled for mid-November (too late) and the insurance company won't pay for it if it's less than a year since his last annual.

Do I just have to bite the bullet and get him an earlier annual appointment and pay out of pocket, eating the cost? Is there some other way around this?

[Anonymous]

I think it just depends on the school/program. If you go to the website, is the form on there? Usually it will say what the timeframe has to be “within the last 90 days” or something like that. It depends.

I keep my kids physicals on our usual schedule and if it doesn’t line up, I just take them to a minute clinic type place for a cheap sports physical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it just depends on the school/program. If you go to the website, is the form on there? Usually it will say what the timeframe has to be “within the last 90 days” or something like that. It depends.

I keep my kids physicals on our usual schedule and if it doesn’t line up, I just take them to a minute clinic type place for a cheap sports physical.

Minute clinic is the answer

[Anonymous]

No, you don’t need to take the actual physical, only need the doctor to fill the form. We’ve done this many times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, you don’t need to take the actual physical, only need the doctor to fill the form. We’ve done this many times.

Yes. Our doctor will fill out the form for $10 fee based on the last time they examined my child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, you don’t need to take the actual physical, only need the doctor to fill the form. We’ve done this many times.

Yes. Our doctor will fill out the form for $10 fee based on the last time they examined my child.

Ah. So the FORM must be filled out after May 1, even if the last physical was late November. Thank you!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, you don’t need to take the actual physical, only need the doctor to fill the form. We’ve done this many times.

Yes. Our doctor will fill out the form for $10 fee based on the last time they examined my child.

Ah. So the FORM must be filled out after May 1, even if the last physical was late November. Thank you!!

Be careful. Coaches in DCPS, for example, can and do challenge participation of opposing players based on physicals, and my understanding is that all competition and practice must be within a year of the exam, not the form.

CVS and others will do cheap, quick sports physicals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, you don’t need to take the actual physical, only need the doctor to fill the form. We’ve done this many times.

Yes. Our doctor will fill out the form for $10 fee based on the last time they examined my child.

Ah. So the FORM must be filled out after May 1, even if the last physical was late November. Thank you!!

Be careful. Coaches in DCPS, for example, can and do challenge participation of opposing players based on physicals, and my understanding is that all competition and practice must be within a year of the exam, not the form.

CVS and others will do cheap, quick sports physicals.

Yes, but in OP's case, wouldn't the physical still be within a year of participation. I have this problem every year, because two of my kids have birthdays just weeks after the deadline for fall sports physicals. At our school, the form has to be filled out based on a physical examination that took place in the last year, so the previous year's physical exam works for the first weeks of the season. I just get a new form filled out during the season when their annual physical is completed, and upload it to replace the old one.

[Anonymous]

Assuming you don't think your child has a problem, just fill out the form and sign it yourself. If the November physical reveals a problem, you can modify your kid's participation

[Anonymous]

In my experience, the relative date was always the date of the physical, not the date the form was completed. If it lapses -- even for a day -- they are often very strict and will rule the student ineligible for events or tryouts until it is completed. Also, as kids get to high school, it isn't always easy to fit in the appointment at just the right time without missing a key test, practice or event.

Getting a sports physical at Minute Clinic is a good option if you run into a problem. It is $69 (which sucks to have to pay, but is cheaper than the doctor's office and better than missing tryouts). You can also check to see if your local school system offers dates for free or low cost sports physicals. For example, DCPS student athletes can get a free sports physical at their school-based health center. (See https://www.thedciaa.com/school-based-health-centers)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my experience, the relative date was always the date of the physical, not the date the form was completed. If it lapses -- even for a day -- they are often very strict and will rule the student ineligible for events or tryouts until it is completed. Also, as kids get to high school, it isn't always easy to fit in the appointment at just the right time without missing a key test, practice or event.

Getting a sports physical at Minute Clinic is a good option if you run into a problem. It is $69 (which sucks to have to pay, but is cheaper than the doctor's office and better than missing tryouts). You can also check to see if your local school system offers dates for free or low cost sports physicals. For example, DCPS student athletes can get a free sports physical at their school-based health center. (See https://www.thedciaa.com/school-based-health-centers)

This. In MCPS they check the date of the physical itself.

[Anonymous]

In FCPS there is no way around this. In the late spring they often have physicals you can sign up for for $50, 15 minute slots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, you don’t need to take the actual physical, only need the doctor to fill the form. We’ve done this many times.

Yes. Our doctor will fill out the form for $10 fee based on the last time they examined my child.

Ah. So the FORM must be filled out after May 1, even if the last physical was late November. Thank you!!

A doctor will fill out a form from a previous year but in FCPS, at least, the Sports Physical needs to be done AFTER May 1st. Just pay up!