patient privacy?

Question

Patient confidentiality?
When I first started working at the pharmacy, I didn't get my prescriptions there. Last month I got some prescriptions there since there is only 1 other pharmacy in town. Well you are required to give your phone number and address with the prescription. Ever since then, my boss and even other techs in the pharmacy have been calling me up to 3 times a week, harassing me until I come in to work extra hours. It didn't happen until I got prescriptions and gave them my phone number. Aren't the patient profiles supposed to be confidential? Is what they're doing legal?

PS I went in the computer and changed my phone number to my mom's house so they can't get ahold of me anymore.

I gave the MANAGER my phone number and only he has access to my application. How would other cashiers or techs get my number?

I have also watched techs look other employees up in the patient files computer to call them, it's not only me they do that to.

Answer 1

HIPPA requires that your patient information be kept private. Have they started calling your mom's? If so, you have proof that your patient rights have been violated and you can file a federal complaint. http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacyhowtofile.htm. According to office of civil rights : In other situations, though, personal health information generally may not be used for purposes not related to health care, and covered entities may use or share only the minimum amount of protected information needed for a particular purpose. In addition, patients would have to sign a specific authorization before a covered entity could release their medical information to a life insurer, a bank, a marketing firm or another outside business for purposes not related to their health care. (http://www.hhs.gov/news/facts/privacy.html)

Does your boss have a boss? If so, you might want to pull them aside, explain the situation and bring up the HIPPA law. It sounds to me like your team needs to relearn how HIPPA applies to all of them--no healthcare organization is allowed to look at another employee's health information unless there is a valid, medical reason. This little mistake can cost your pharmacy a chunk of money in fines.

Good luck with your complaint!

Answer 2

As a medical provider I can tell you that unfortunately your phone number is not protected under HIPPA patient privacy acts. Your medical information, on the other hand is, if this privacy has been violated you should seek legal action.

Also your employer might have accessed your phone number through other means, i.e. tax forms, your application, phone book, etc. It's not that I don't believe you, just make sure you know before you point fingers.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

once you're saying "can", do you propose "is it conceivable for somebody to try this"? the respond is specific. Theoretically, absolutely everyone can do very almost something. it is likewise conceivable that the wellbeing practitioner might on no account know, the guy might receive incapacity, existence might circulate on. notwithstanding if, it is likewise conceivable that the coverage organization might call the wellbeing practitioner to communicate approximately some ingredient of the incapacity checklist. perchance the claims examiner has previous journey with claims from this wellbeing practitioner, and notices that the signature (or another ingredient), isn't comparable to previous comments. might desire to the s**t hit the fan (and there are maximum of techniques this might ensue), no less than the scientific assistant would be arrested (as may be the affected person), and be dealing with conspiracy to commit fraud, coverage fraud, theft by deception and forgery quotes. The source under is one case the place a woman solid her very own incapacity paperwork and signed the wellbeing practitioner's call. that's on the hollow web site of the Pennsylvania criminal expert conventional's web site. you recognize this might't be sturdy for this lady's social or financial existence. a undesirable recognition is a tricky element to leap lower back from.

Answer 4

Your boss has it on the application, but the other employee is another which is an invasion of privacy. Talk to your boss about this, if they are part of the problem follow you chain of command which is most important of your going to make this a legal matter. I think if you are firm and direct and stand your ground about your opinion they should listen.

Answer 5

even though you are an employer your confidentiality still stands.
talk to your manager about it and if doesnt change, report it.
there are rules called HIPPA, HIPPA goes for hospitals and pharmacies, which looks like they are violating, you have rights
in force them.

Answer 6

you are an employee. patient confidentiality went out the window. i would think that you would have to give your numbers to your employer upon filling out your job application. unfortunately, the employees have to access your info in order to fill your Rx.

Answer 7

Didn't you have to list your phone number on your application? That's probably where they got it.

Answer 8

Didn't you give your phone number when you were hired?

Answer 9

Yes, you have a legit claim. Call a lawyer. Pharmacists are asses anyway.