Youth athletes participating in sports programs across the United States are set to receive rapid access to specialized concussion care under a new partnership between virtual clinic Headquarters Health and the HeadStrong Concussion Insurance Program. The collaboration is designed to bridge a critical gap in youth sports safety by offering timely medical interventions while protecting families from the potentially overwhelming financial burdens associated with complex neurological diagnoses, ongoing recovery, and medical billing.
Concussions remain one of the most unpredictable and stressful injuries in youth athletics, creating a complicated landscape for parents who are already managing the emotional and physical toll of their child’s health scare. Orestis Skoutellas, co-founder of Headquarters Health, emphasized the chaotic nature of these injuries and the mission behind the new venture.
"A concussion is chaotic enough. The last thing a family should have to think about is paying for care or navigating the insurance maze," said Skoutellas. "By partnering with HeadStrong, we built the underlying infrastructure so coverage, claims, and billing run seamlessly behind the scenes. Any athlete covered by HeadStrong now has access to specialized care next-day for $0 out-of-pocket."
Under the terms of the partnership, the initiative aims to establish a reliable standard for treatment that meets young athletes, their parents, and athletic organizations precisely where support is most critical. Christian Reed, the creator of the HeadStrong Concussion Program and Vice President and Practice Leader of Collegiate and High Schools Sports at HUB International, highlighted the collaborative vision driving the rollout.
"Together, we are setting a new standard for individual, specialized concussion treatment that meets athletes, families, and organizations where they need it most—with certainty, speed, and specialized care," said Reed.
The mechanics of the coverage are structured to minimize administrative friction for families during a stressful time. Athletes are automatically enrolled in the program the moment their respective sports league or school district enrolls in HeadStrong, completely eliminating the need for individual applications or tedious healthcare questionnaires. The program provides up to $25,000 of coverage per individual injury, operating with a zero-dollar deductible and no out-of-pocket expenses for the families.
This comprehensive financial protection extends across the entire spectrum of required neurological care. Covered services range from the initial medical diagnosis to specialist appointments, necessary diagnostic imaging, specialized cognitive testing, and all essential follow-up care required to ensure a safe recovery. Functioning as a secondary coverage policy, HeadStrong works in tandem with an athlete’s existing private health insurance. Furthermore, in instances where an injured athlete lacks primary health insurance coverage, HeadStrong is structured to step in and serve as the primary payor.
Justin Vandewynkle, program manager for the HeadStrong Concussion Program at HUB International, noted that the human element of youth coaching heavily influenced the creation of robust financial safeguards. As someone who works directly with young competitors, Vandewynkle has witnessed firsthand the ways untreated or improperly managed head injuries can alter a young person’s life.
"The HeadStrong program puts athletes first and provides families the peace of mind that the financial burden is eliminated," said Vandewynkle. "As a youth sports coach, I see firsthand how concussions can impact young athletes and their families. No athlete should ever have to skip care because of a price tag. They deserve more."
The HeadStrong program itself has a long history within the youth and scholastic sports landscape. Developed by Dissinger Reed, a specialized division of HUB International, the program is recognized as the longest-running concussion-only insurance program operating in the United States. To ensure financial stability and reliable claims processing, Mutual of Omaha acts as the official insurance carrier and claims payor backing the initiative.
Insurance industry leaders view the collaboration as a vital risk-management tool for educational institutions and athletic organizations that must navigate student safety carefully. Brian Kalasek, vice president of Special Risk at Mutual of Omaha, explained how the partnership delivers practical solutions for leagues and school districts striving to protect their participants.
"The HeadStrong Concussion Insurance Program gives leagues and school districts a practical way to protect student-athletes and families from the financial burden of concussion care," said Kalasek. "With zero deductible coverage, no copays, access to neurological follow-up, telemed services when needed, and no required referrals or provider restrictions, the program supports safer return-to-play and return-to-classroom decisions while helping organizations strengthen their overall risk management approach."
With a proven track record of insuring more than 700,000 athletes nationwide, the program remains widely accessible. Any school district or youth sports organization operating within the United States is eligible to purchase coverage through the HeadStrong Concussion Insurance Program. The cost of coverage is structured at $1.35 per athlete annually, a fee that directly incorporates access to the specialized telehealth services provided by Headquarters Health.
For additional information regarding the virtual clinic and its specialized services, interested individuals can visit headquarters.health. Further details concerning the insurance program and enrollment options for leagues and schools can be found through the HUB International high school sports insurance portal.
