NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement

Article 39
Players’ Rights To Medical Care and Treatment

Section 1(e)
Club Physician - Medical Providers and Allegiance

(e)Medical Providers and Allegiance.

The cost of medical services rendered by Club physicians, Club Athletic Trainers, Physical Therapists, and other medical providers (together, “Club medical personnel”) will be the responsibility of the respective Clubs, but the Club medical personnel’s primary duty in providing player medical care shall be not to the Club but instead to the player-patient regardless of the fact that he/she or his/her hospital, clinic, or medical group is retained by the Club to diagnose and treat players. The Club medical personnel shall not disclose confidential player health information except as permitted. In addition, all Club medical personnel shall comply with all federal, state, and local requirements, including all ethical rules and standards established by any applicable government and/or other authority that regulates or governs the medical profession in the Club’s city. All Club physicians are required to disclose to a player any and all information about the player’s physical condition that the physician may from time to time provide to a coach or other Club representative, whether or not such information affects the player’s performance or health. If a Club physician advises a coach or other Club representative of a player’s serious injury or career threatening physical condition which significantly affects the player’s performance or health, the physician will also advise the player in writing. The player, after being advised of such serious injury or career-threatening physical condition, may request a copy of the Club physician’s record from the examination in which such physical condition was diagnosed and/or a written explanation from the Club physician of the physical condition.