Question for a pharamist

[sjmorie]

Could anyone tell me if it is legal or against my HIPPA rights for a pharmacy tech to ask me in front of anyone standing around within hearing distance "what is my doctor treating me for" and what is the medication my doctor perscribed me for?
Thanks for any help

[compass]

Could anyone tell me if it is legal or against my HIPPA rights for a pharmacy tech to ask me in front of anyone standing around within hearing distance "what is my doctor treating me for" and what is the medication my doctor perscribed me for?
Thanks for any help

I don't think that's illegal, just bad form. I'd point it out to them and tell them that you'd appreciate it if they would take your privacy seriously.

[Stevo1]

Could anyone tell me if it is legal or against my HIPPA rights for a pharmacy tech to ask me in front of anyone standing around within hearing distance "what is my doctor treating me for" and what is the medication my doctor perscribed me for?
Thanks for any help

It is not Illegal....But you are within your rights to ask the Pharmacist for a Private area to answer the Questions. It does seem rather unusual to ask those questions. As a mater of fact ..for a while my Hospital Pain Clinic was putting my Diagnosis on my Scripts and they stopped doing it for Privacy reasons. I suppose you could also have the Pharmacist call the Doctor if you don't want to answer his Questions.

[teresita]

I too dont know about legalities but a pharmacist is bound to hippa laws as well as the techs that is why there is usually a sort of booth in the pharmacy.
My husband is a maintenance engineer for a group of hospital facilities and even he cannot disclose anything he may hear or see while working in a patient area. I have had a receptionist in a doctors office open her glass window and holler to me "what are you here for today" everyone could hear but I got up to talk to her closely because I wasnt going to yell across the room and I did tell her that. She did quickly apologize.

[Alternate]

Interesting situation, at the very least an expectation of privacy would be expected. The HIPPA laws get everyone so worked up it is a wonder this question was even asked of you. You could have loudly asked "Isn't this supposed to be covered by HIPPA?" in a polite tone.

That would have caught some curious fellow lined up patrons' attention.

Anyone even slightly lax with HIPPA would get me edging out of the line.

[UGAgal]

What does it matter to a pharmacist? I mean their job is to fill meds. Nothing else. If something prescribed was to interact with something else you take, then I understand them consulting you and explaining what it would do and why or even calling to speak with the doctor.

But again why does it matter and what gives them the right to ask this other than to have suspicion of a drug seeker or dr shopper. I don't understand why pharmacist think the can have their god complex like doctors. It is not their business to get into that IMO

[compass]

What does it matter to a pharmacist? I mean their job is to fill meds. Nothing else. If something prescribed was to interact with something else you take, then I understand them consulting you and explaining what it would do and why or even calling to speak with the doctor.

But again why does it matter and what gives them the right to ask this other than to have suspicion of a drug seeker or dr shopper. I don't understand why pharmacist think the can have their god complex like doctors. It is not their business to get into that IMO

I really don't think it's a "god complex". When working in a healthcare job, one becomes fairly knowledgeable about common ailments and medications. Through this process, the individual may become naive to situations that would normally warrant more privacy consideration. As each pharmacy is a business, at the end of the day making money, it's our job as the consumer to patronize the most viable option. Simply put, pharm techs are not going to change, but your choice of a pharmacy you patronize can change anytime.

[UGAgal]

I really don't think it's a "god complex". When working in a healthcare job, one becomes fairly knowledgeable about common ailments and medications. Through this process, the individual may become naive to situations that would normally warrant more privacy consideration. As each pharmacy is a business, at the end of the day making money, it's our job as the consumer to patronize the most viable option. Simply put, pharm techs are not going to change, but your choice of a pharmacy you patronize can change anytime.

I am just saying no pharmacy needs to ask this question. It is NONE of their business what the patient is being treated for. They went to school to dispense meds.

I do feel SOME pharmacist have god complexes like docs. At least some I have seen post about on here before. Especially when it comes to certain meds.

I get the whole DEA scare for narcotics and doctor shoppers etc. I have had no issues with my pharmacist but just read this and it rubbed me the wrong way. I guess I am trying to understand why the pharmacist would ask this and why it would matter to them is all......

[betsky]

Could anyone tell me if it is legal or against my HIPPA rights for a pharmacy tech to ask me in front of anyone standing around within hearing distance "what is my doctor treating me for" and what is the medication my doctor perscribed me for?
Thanks for any help

@sjmorie
I am in the healthcare industry. And yes it is illegal for a tech or pharmacy to ask within hearing distance of anyone, even other pharmacists ,those questions. That is what the sidebooth is for. It is also. None of the technicians business why a doctor prescribed xyz.
Unless there was a contraindication with another of your meds. Still,you should. Have been asked in privacy. If this happens to u or anybody else use the above mode or tell the tech to call your doctor's office after the scripts are filled if they r unaware or your doctors script or of the meds in question.

[Mlmk]

I cringe so often at the pharmacy. Not just one particular pharmacy either. I often think they are so acclimated or desensitized to their jobs that they just blurt out whatever because it is " the normal" for them. It is in their comfort zone so to speak. I picked up an rx today and heard the lady next to me getting an earful about sudafed and why she had to show her ID for it. The lady was honestly clueless but they ripped her a new one, loudly, not discreetly. I wanted to tell her why in the parking lot. But decided that it was already embarrassing enuf for her and why make the whole hippa thing worse. I've also picked up medication for a personal female type of problem and had the pharmacist very loudly ask if I had taken **** before. At a supermarket. Line full of people. Again clueless. Then had another one ask me if I was pregnant loudly before giving me a Xanax rx. Not discreet at all. I'm like we'll I'm also picking up my birth control so NOOOOO I'm not pregnant. I get that they asked but why so loud? I guarantee others heard it. So yeah....I hear ya!

Do you guys ever wonder if they talk about us? Like Do they tell their spouse or friends? My DH says that I over estimate my importance lol when I worry about those things.

Just rambling...

[compass]

I would look at this in the same sense as an attorney represents your legal interest, your doctor represents your medical interest. When my pharmacy inquires about any detail aside from insurance info and identification protocol, I raise the flag.

If a pharmacist asks you about the ailment and treatment during the course of a RX pickup, simply state, "I feel that my doctor would better represent my illness and treatment plan, please refer to his/her contact information for further guidance regarding this prescription."

The doctor can deal with the pharmacy, that's not your job. Remember you are patronizing these businesses and they ultimately work for you!

[Mlmk]

Oh yeah. My point in posting. Yes it is illegal. Hippa violation. Big $$$$$ fine if they r investigated and found to be in violation. The fine can be both for the individual violator and then the company in bigger $$$$ as well.

[compass]

Oh yeah. My point in posting. Yes it is illegal. Hippa violation. Big $$$$$ fine if they r investigated and found to be in violation. The fine can be both for the individual violator and then the company in bigger $$$$ as well.

At least give them an opportunity to fix the problem after you raise it to their attention. Be patient.. PR works better than whining.

[betsky]

@Mlmk
like i said in post#9. and you said itis illegal, and as to talking about us well ofcourse, everone gossips

[Mlmk]

Not whining. Not reporting. Answering question from OP about whether it was legal or not and got off track with a personal story. Commiserating would be the word lol.

[betsky]

@Mlmk
I knew that , rant all u want, i just meant whether they talk about us. thats
not ethical IMHO, but everyone does it, except us

[Mlmk]

@betsky,
I was replying to the other poster lol. I know you knew...sounds funny.

[sjmorie]

Thanks for all advise. I have given the pharmacy additional chances but everytime I go there to get my medicine the same thing happens. I actually was in a drive through when she ask the question and there is a video camera so I could see everyone in there watching I ask her did she really need that information that I had already given it to her before and she said yes she did that she had to know to put in my profile and wouldnt release my medication until I told her what I was beening treated for! My doctor requires me to get my scripts filled at this pharmacy but I do not want to go back there and them keep asking me in front of everyone about this never mind the fact that when everyone hears my condition they will know that I am beening perscribed pain meds so Im afraid someone will follow me to rob me of my meds since that is happening alot these days. so my next question is who can I contact about them violating the HIPPA Law concerning my health so I can get this stopped?
Thanks,
Shelley Morie

[zzelda01]

This has happened to me at various pharmacies. Walgreens being the baddest of them all. I worked in the healthcare field for over 7 years and I'm always amazed. I have even had a lab tech ask me the same question in front of others waiting for lab work. Why should they have to ask. It's blood work for pitty sake.

[zoniemae]

@sjmorie
I am in the healthcare industry. And yes it is illegal for a tech or pharmacy to ask within hearing distance of anyone, even other pharmacists ,those questions. That is what the sidebooth is for. It is also. None of the technicians business why a doctor prescribed xyz.
Unless there was a contraindication with another of your meds. Still,you should. Have been asked in privacy. If this happens to u or anybody else use the above mode or tell the tech to call your doctor's office after the scripts are filled if they r unaware or your doctors script or of the meds in question.

Agree with this post. Pharmacy techs, etc. are all bound by HIPPA laws and discussing your medical status when anyone else can hear is a big no-no.