Medical Assistance Fund
The Medical Assistance Fund (MAF) was established in 2021 to cover medical costs for eligible athletes that are not met through traditional resources. This resource is designed to support the medical needs and alleviate financial burdens of elite athletes training for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Funds will be used to pay for significant medical costs incurred by eligible athletes, including necessary travel-related expenses. The USOPC is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of athletes facing medically-related financial hardships, enabling them to overcome various challenges and pursue their goals.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Medical Assistance Fund, athletes must:
- Have accessed existing resources, including Elite Athlete Health Insurance, Medical Network, and NGB sport accident policies or have had these resources deemed not applicable
- The athlete must have EAHI or be EAHI eligible at time of the medical diagnosis or care
- Incurred uncovered, out-of-pocket medical costs of at least $100
For the full eligibility criteria and benefit policy, click here.
Apply
APPLY, opens in a new tabThe MAF will allocate a maximum of $3,000 annually (subject to change) to eligible athletes for approved medical expenses. Approved funding will be paid as either a direct payment to the provider or a reimbursement to the athlete for expenses that have already been paid, as determined by the USOPC sports medicine department. There is no limit to the amount of times an individual athlete can apply for the MAF.
To apply for the Medical Assistance Fund, click the link below.
Frequently Asked Questions#
- Have accessed existing resources, including EAHI, National Medical Network, and NGB sport accident policies or had these resources deemed not applicable
- Be enrolled in EAHI or be EAHI eligible at time of the medical diagnosis or care
- Have incurred uncovered, out-of-pocket medical costs of at least $100.
Athlete medical expenses eligible to be covered by the USOPC Medical Assistance Fund include, but are not limited to:
- Deductibles, copays and coinsurance for medical, dental and mental health care
- Prescription medication costs
- Medical-related travel
- Medical equipment, including prosthetics and orthotics
Apply for the Medical Assistance Fund by filling out the online application.
- Elite Athlete Health Insurance: Provides a level of base support through a program of health and major medical insurance for eligible athletes to help minimize out-of-pocket medical care expenses.
- USOP Medical Network: Offers eligible athletes access to high-quality medical services across the U.S. at a reduced or no cost, including orthopedics, sports medicine, general medicine and more.
- NGB Sport Accident Insurance: Carried by each NGB to process and coordinate acute sport injury claims.
- Global Travel Insurance: Provides health insurance coverage for illness or injury while eligible athletes are traveling abroad for sport.
- Sports medicine clinics: Provides athletes a variety of services, including clinical care, in-competition support, injury prevention and more.
For More Information #
If you have general questions about the fund, contact an Athlete Healthcare Navigator at athletehealthcare@usopc.org.
If you have questions about medical services and needs, please contact 1-800-933-4473, Ext 2.