Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy & Notice of Privacy Practices

Last Updated: October 1, 2025

Oakwell Veterinary Clinic (“Oakwell,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy of our patients and clients. This Notice of Privacy Practices (“Notice”) describes how we may use and disclose your Protected Health Information (“PHI”) and your rights regarding your health information.

We are required by law to maintain the privacy of PHI, to provide you with this Notice, and to follow the terms of this Notice.

How We May Use and Disclose Your PHI

We may use or share your health information in the following ways:

  • Treatment: We may use PHI to provide, coordinate, or manage your pet’s veterinary care. This may include communication with other veterinarians, specialists, laboratories, or pharmacies.
  • Payment: We may use PHI to bill and collect payment for services rendered, including communication with your insurance company (if applicable).
  • Health Care Operations: We may use PHI to improve our services, conduct quality assessments, train staff, and carry out business operations.
  • Required by Law: We may disclose PHI when required by federal, state, or local law.
  • Public Health & Safety: We may disclose PHI to prevent or reduce a serious threat to health or safety, or as required for regulatory or reporting purposes.
  • Business Associates: We may share PHI with trusted third-party service providers who perform functions on our behalf, provided they agree to protect the confidentiality of your information.

Other uses and disclosures of PHI will be made only with your written authorization. You may revoke such authorization at any time in writing.

Your Rights Regarding Your PHI

You have the following rights regarding your PHI:

  • Right to Access: You may request to view or obtain a copy of your health information.
  • Right to Amend: If you believe your PHI is inaccurate or incomplete, you may request an amendment.Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You may request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your PHI.
  • Right to Request Restrictions: You may request limits on how we use or share your PHI. While we will consider your request, we are not always required to agree.
  • Right to Confidential Communications: You may request that we communicate with you in a specific way (for example, at a particular address or phone number).
  • Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice: You may request a paper copy of this Notice, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically.

Our Duties

  • We are required by law to maintain the privacy of PHI.
  • We must provide you with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices.
  • We must abide by the terms of this Notice.
  • We reserve the right to change this Notice and will post a revised version on our website and make it available in our office.

Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.

Contact Information

If you have questions about this Notice or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact:

Privacy Officer
Oakwell Veterinary Clinic
1041 Hamilton Pl
Johnson City, TN 37604

Phone: (423) 342-2753
Email: info@oakwell.vet