is it a HIPPA voilation? mail order prescription using postcard to verify with personal information showing?

Question

a mail order prescription house uses a post card with a listing of the drugs, dosage, my name, id number, which is to be signed and returned to verify receipt. I feel this is a HIPPA violation on my privacy. Right? I have complained and mailed back the form in an envelope, but they are not reacting. Thank you.

Answer 1

According to my understanding of HIPPA, it surely is. I would no more condone that than I would condone sending credit card information anywhere through the postal service if my personal information was showing on it. Contact the supervisor or director of the pharmacy and keep going up the ladder until you get to a person who seems responsible.

Answer 2

I don't think this would be a violation. They are not sending it in the mail, you are. If you choose to send it this way, you are providing your private information, not the mail order pharmacy. You do have an option to put it in an envelop so the information is not displayed for anyone who handles the mail to see.

Instead of complaining, ask politely why they are only doing a post card that everyone could see. Ask (again politely) if they could change their practice and include an envelope to return it. If you complain, they may get defensive about it, but asking politely may just get a better result. And if that doesn't work, try a different pharmacy.

Answer 3

HUGE violation!!!

HIPPA not only covers medical information known as individually indentifiable health information. This information can be your medical condition, your treatment for that condition and even how you pay for it. It also covers other identifiers including your name, SSN, date of birth, address and any acount numbers you used for payment.

I would contact the company and inform them of thier non-compliance in this matter. EVERY healthcare company MUST undergo training at least annually for this.