Neutral Physician. The player must present himself for exami- nation by a neutral physician in the Club city or the Club city closest to the player’s residence within twenty (20) days from the date of the grievance. This time period may be extended by mutual consent if the neutral physi- cian is not available. Neither Club nor player may submit any medical records to the neutral physician, nor may the Club physician or player’s physician communicate with the neutral physician. The player will notify the Club of the identity of the neutral physician by whom he is to be ex- amined as soon as possible subsequent to a selection by the player. The neutral physician will not become the treating physician nor will the neu- tral physician examination involve more than one office visit without the prior approval of both the NFLPA and Management Council. The neutral physician may review any objective medical tests which all parties mutual- ly agree to provide. The neutral physician is further authorized to perform any necessary diagnostic tests after consultation with the parties. The neu- tral physician is required to submit to the parties a detailed typewritten medical report of his examination. In order to facilitate settlement of griev- ances, the parties periodically will consult with neutral physicians by tele- phone conference call to obtain preliminary opinions as to the length of time, if any, after their examinations before players would be physically able to perform contract services. The NFLPA will use its best efforts to make the neutral physicians in each Club city equally available to the players who file injury grievances.
Neutral Physician. At the request of the Authority, the employee shall submit to a medical examination by a physician selected by the Authority. If the physician selected by the Authority finds that the employee is fit for duty, the employee is expected to return to duty as specified by the physician on the Disability Certificate. If the employee does not report for duty as specified by the Disability Certificate completed by the physician selected by the Authority, the absence will be considered absent without leave. Any difference of opinion between the employee’s personal physician, and the physician chosen by the Authority, will be determined by an impartial third party physician. The physician selected by the Authority and the employee’s treating physician shall select the impartial physician. The impartial physician shall be a specialist in the field of medicine applicable to the employee’s condition. If they cannot agree, they shall select a hospital which shall select an appropriate board certified physician from its staff to conduct the examination. The impartial physician should be chosen, contacted and seen by the employee within three (3) days of the preceding employee’s appointment with the physician chosen by the Authority. The cost of the impartial physician’s appointments will be split by the Authority and the employee if not paid by insurance coverage. The decision of the impartial physician is binding and final.
