Does HIPAA apply to veterinarians?
Why HIPAA doesn't cover veterinary practices or pet health records, and which state laws and ethics rules protect them instead.
Does HIPAA apply to veterinarians? at a glance
No. HIPAA protects health information about people, so veterinarians and animal health records are outside it. Veterinary records are instead governed by state veterinary practice laws, which vary widely — some states strictly limit disclosure without the client's consent — and by professional ethics: the AVMA's principles treat veterinary records as confidential. Information about the pet owner, such as payment details, falls under general privacy and data security laws, not HIPAA.
| HIPAA | Does not apply to animal health records or veterinary practices |
|---|---|
| What applies instead | State veterinary practice acts and records laws |
| Professional standard | AVMA ethics principles: records are confidential |
| Owner's personal data | General privacy, consumer protection and data breach laws |
HIPAA’s definitions are built around individuals — people — and the health care provided to them (45 CFR 160.103). Animal health information isn’t covered, and a veterinary practice isn’t a HIPAA covered entity.
That doesn’t make veterinary records public. State veterinary practice acts and records laws set confidentiality and retention rules, and they vary: California, for example, prohibits disclosing information about a patient, client or care without informed client consent unless required by court order or subpoena. The AVMA’s ethics principles say veterinary records are confidential and may be released only as required or allowed by law, or with client consent.
The client’s own details — name, address, card numbers — are personal data covered by general privacy, consumer protection and breach notification laws.
One edge case: a business that serves both people and animals, such as a pharmacy filling a pet prescription, may be a HIPAA covered entity for its human patients. HIPAA still doesn’t extend to the animal’s records.
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Frequently asked questions
Do veterinarians have to follow HIPAA?
No. HIPAA covers individually identifiable health information about people. Veterinary records fall under state laws and professional ethics.
Can a vet share my pet's records without my permission?
It depends on your state. Some states prohibit disclosure without the client's consent except under court order or subpoena; others regulate it less.