Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott doesn’t seem pleased that news got out that he has COVID-19 from the novel coronavirus.
Not long after Elliott’s agent Rocky Arceneaux told NFL Network that the running back was in good condition after contracting the disease, Elliott tweeted out: “HIPAA ??”
He’s referring to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which, by law, prevents medical record-keepers from making patient information public. It doesn’t apply to Arceneaux, however, who is not a healthcare provider. Elliott’s agent wasn’t legally in the wrong by confirming the information with a reporter — nor was the reporter in the wrong for publishing that information.
But if Elliott’s agent — or a media member — somehow got the information from a healthcare provider without Elliott’s permission, then the running back is, indeed, a victim of a HIPAA violation, and that healthcare provider would be at fault.
HIPAA ??
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) June 15, 2020
From the #Cowboys: “Due to federal and local privacy laws, we are unable to provide information regarding the personal health of any of our employees.” https://t.co/856iWo3sxF
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 15, 2020
Elliott provided more context for his discontent with the situation.
My agent only confirmed. The story was already written. Reporters had been called my agent all morning.
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) June 15, 2020
My agent didn’t break the story to the media
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) June 15, 2020
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