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INDIANAPOLIS – USA Gymnastics is expanding mental health coverage for athletes and coaches with a new program announced Monday.
Under the new program, the organization will help cover eight mental health provider visits and four mental health provider visits per year for eligible national team members.
“Funding the services that athletes and their coaches can access in their hometowns through their favorite providers is important to safety and something we always want to do,” USA Gymnastics President Lee Ling said in a statement.
USA Gymnastics pays athletes/coaches up to $125 per visit. Coaches and athletes may use any healthcare provider of their choice as long as the provider has “appropriate training and licensure in sports psychology or mental health.”
The program is partially funded by the organization’s agreement with GK Elite, which provides USA Gymnastics with training and competition apparel. A portion of the sponsorship agreement with GK Elite is earmarked to cover mental health care costs.
Under the previous model, athletes and coaches had access to mental health specialists at USA Gymnastics events such as training camps and meets. The new model expands its reach so athletes and coaches are funded when they return to their home gyms.
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