Can Just Anyone Access Your Furry Friends Medical Records?
When it comes to the health and well-being of our pets, confidentiality is key. Human medical records are protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA). The HIPPA privacy rule outlines federal standards for the protection of individuals’ medical records and information and establishes individuals’ rights to their information. While HIPPA does not apply to medical records for pets, Indiana has established its own regulations to protect the privacy of veterinary records. As pet owners, it’s crucial to understand how these laws protect your furry friends’ medical information and why you might be asked by your vet to sign off on release of those records.
Indiana’s Veterinary Medical Record Privacy Regulations
In Indiana, pet owners are automatically treated as the healthcare representatives of their pets. Further, under Indiana law, pet medical records are confidential and cannot be shared without the pet owner’s written consent. Therefore, when a vet needs to share records with breeders, groomers, specialists, trainers, clinics, and other vets, they must have written consent from the pet owner.
When Can Records Be Released?
There are some exceptions to the written consent requirement. A veterinarian can share pet medical records without the owner’s consent with the American Veterinary Medical Association, law enforcement agencies, governmental agencies during an inspection, and civil or criminal courts if an order is provided. Records may also be shared without the consent of pet owners for statistical and scientific research with the School of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University and other research institutions, provided that owner and pet confidentiality is maintained. The Board of Health may also receive pet medical information if necessary to protect animal health or public health.