Intercollegiate Athletics Policy Manual
Section 15.00 - Sports Medicine
15.08.2 Student-Athlete's Health Information: Blanket Authorizations
USE AND DISCLOSURE OF A STUDENT-ATHLETE’S PROTECTED
HEALTH INFORMATION: BLANKET AUTHORIZATIONS
The Division of Athletic Training/Sports Medicine has policies and procedures in place to safeguard the privacy of student-athletes’ medical records and prevent unnecessary disclosure of their personally identifiable health information. In an athletics setting, there are many parties who can potentially have access to a student-athlete’s health information, especially in routine injury situations. These parties include coaches and athletics staff; parents or guardians; media representatives from print, radio, and television; teammates; student-athletic trainers and other student members of the sports medicine staff; and, professional teams and their scouts.
In the event that a student-athlete sustains an injury while participating, it is important that he/she understands that we (e.g., athletic trainers or team physicians) may need to talk with coaches, parents, and other health care providers in order to determine the best treatment options. When doing so, we may discuss issues relevant to the student-athlete’s care and participation status only under the following circumstances:
- The student-athlete has given us oral consent or implied consent through their
actions. For example, he/she may ask family members or coaches for their support during a physician’s examination to discuss injury circumstances, treatment options, and activity status. - The student-athlete has signed authorization forms permitting us to disclose pertinent health information to each of the following parties:
Authorization to Release Medical Information to the Media (see 15.08.2a)
Authorization to Release Medical Information to Parents/Guardians (see 15.08.2b)
Authorization to Release Medical Information to Coaches and Athletics Staff (see15.08.2c)
Authorization to Release Medical Information to Teammates (see 15.08.2d)
Authorization to Release Medical Information to Athletic Training Students and Other Student Members of the Sports Medicine Staff (see 15.08.2e)
Authorization to Release Medical Information to Professional Teams and Their Agents (see 15.08.2d)
Student-athletes have the right to restrict disclosure of their health information to any of the parties by refusing to sign the appropriate authorization forms. If a student-athlete chooses to do so, he/she must write, “REFUSED TO AUTHORIZE” on the form and include a signature and date for validity purposes. Also, they have the right to revoke any of their signed authorizations. For example, during their athletics career, they may be confronted with a sensitive health care issue that requires the utmost confidentiality and privacy. In order to revoke previous signed authorizations under these circumstances, they must discuss their intentions with their providers (e.g., team physicians and athletic trainers) and a new form will be processed that restricts disclosure of this health information.
Even though student-athletes have signed authorizations permitting us to share their health information, it is imperative to note that we are not obligated to do so. In accordance with the HIPAA, we will respect the privacy of their health information by releasing only the minimum information necessary to protect their health and safety and we will take appropriate measures to ensure the confidentiality of their medical records.
last updated: February 11, 2009