Hipaa Animals
hipaa animals
How does HIPAA affect veterinary offices?
I am a dog rescue volunteer. We get applications for our foster dogs and then check their references. I got an application from a woman (all must initial end of electronic app.) and called her vet reference. They told me this woman’s past dog was up to date on shots (but not heartworm prevention for an ‘outdoor dog.’) So I asked if the dog was put to sleep due to old age? heartworms? etc. and the vet’s office said they could not tell me due to HIPPA regulations. Does HIPPA apply to animals? And if so, what a shame…especially for rescue organizations just trying to make sure they don’t adopt a dog out to someone who habitually neglects their animals!!
I work for Medi-Cal, and as far as I know, no, HIPAA is for people only and only for the confidentiality of their health or personal information. Information on whether or not animals have had certain treatments may be covered by something similar as the owner may have rejected to sign a consent form to share the animal’s information with other sources… but it is not HIPAA in my opinion.
Declared an H5N1 radiation avian bird flu pandemic is underway in Japanese animals
