Kansas University’s athletic department has implemented a policy regarding the release of student-athlete injury information to comply with new federal privacy laws.

The policy is based on the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, which went into effect in April.

KU’s new policy requires student-athletes to sign a waiver form before their injury information can be released to the media and other individuals not associated with health care.

The waiver will not cover the entire season; each injury will require a new form to be signed before any information can be released. If the student-athlete declines to sign the waiver, KU officials can discuss playing status only (i.e. playing, probable, doubtful or out).

“This policy formalizes for our student-athletes the same health information privacy rights that the rest of us already possess,” said Larry Magee, KU director of sports medicine.

The form should be signed the day of the injury or as soon as the athlete is able, Magee said, noting clinic manager Mark Cairns would track the paperwork. HIPAA requires each facility to have a “privacy manager.” Cairns also gets that duty.

The law will have little impact on some KU programs. Football coach Mark Mangino, for example, rarely releases injury information unless an athlete’s condition is season- or career-ending.

“It doesn’t change what we do with him at all, but even with coach Mangino there are certain times he does chose to release injury information. But even then he’ll have to get the athlete’s permission,” Magee said.

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