02/20/2023
For any former Calais Veterinary Clinic clients who still need records transferred:
I will be sorting through and fulfilling record requests once a week on Fridays only. There is a small fee (per client, NOT per file) to cover the cost of my time locating your files and, then physically transporting them myself or mailing them to your new primary clinic. The fee is usually $15 for records going to Little River, but is more if records are being mailed to other clinics, particularly if going to Canada. I will not be maintaining a copy of your records. Records are legal documents, so the original records will not be released to clients directly, only to the clinics that pets will be following up with.
For those who want copies of their records sent directly to them, there is also a small fee for this as well. Please understand that it takes a lot of time to find, handle, copy and send these records. As a mobile vet, I don't spend a lot of time in the office. Most of my time is spent on the road, so I have to handle record requests outside my normal business hours. This usually means sorting through boxes and boxes of records while wrangling 3 small kids or after everyone has gone to bed (and when most normal people are sleeping).
There are a LOT of records to sort through to locate the right ones. These are all physical paper files. So if there are alternate names your files may be listed under (maiden, married, spouse's name, nicknames, etc) PLEASE let me know when you request your records. This saves me a lot of time having to look through everything multiple times.
If you need records transferred, the easiest way to contact me is by text (207-214-2818). You can also call or email me at [email protected]. I can send an electronic payment link to cover the cost of shipping, copying, courier, etc or you may send a check if preferred.
Please do not wait until the day before your scheduled appointment at your new clinic to request records. You won't get them in time. I have my own appointments to see and patients to care for throughout the week.
Please understand that I only took the records to make it possible for former Calais clients to access their records once the clinic closed. Having watched other local clinics close over the last few years I've seen how difficult, or even impossible, it was to get records once the clinic had closed its doors. This is heartbreaking for those clients and pets with extensive histories that can't be reviewed.
One final note to clear up any confusion...a lot of people have been calling and asking for prescription refills since I have their records. Having access to records does not give a veterinarian the ability to prescribe medication. In the state of Maine you must have a valid VPCR (Veterinary-Patient-Client Relationship) in order to prescribe medication. This means that the veterinarian giving the prescription must have a relationship with the client and has EXAMINED their pet. If your pet is on chronic or other prescription medications, and will be needing refills, do not wait until you are running out of meds to request a refill or an appointment. I try my best to accommodate these requests as soon as possible, but with the number of urgent requests lately it's not always possible to see them before you run out of meds. Please don't send requests through Chewy if I haven't seen you or your pets before. I will deny them. That's not me trying to be difficult, that's just me trying to follow practice laws.
Thanks for following along if you've read this far. I know it's hard for everyone right now with having such a shortage of vets in our area, but I assure you we are ALL doing our best to give your pets the time, attention, and the care they need and deserve.
Be kind, be caring, share love.
Dr. Michelle
