Could this be a hippa violation???

fultzymom · May 1, 2007

So do you think it is someone in the office doing it? Are they calling the pharmacy for a script or is someone requesting refills from your Dr's office? I was not sure what you meant. Is there any way that someone could have gotten a hold of the info from your container?

krsrn2005 · May 1, 2007

So do you think it is someone in the office doing it? Are they calling the pharmacy for a script or is someone requesting refills from your Dr's office? I was not sure what you meant. Is there any way that someone could have gotten a hold of the info from your container?

They were trying to get a new script. And they couldn't have gotten info from bottles. I put all script labels through the shredder before discarding the bottle. I do think that it's someone in the office, but I have no way of proving it. I was on this med over a year ago for chronic pain related to uterine adhesions from a c/s. That's what is leading me to think that it's someone in the office.

fultzymom · May 1, 2007

Good idea to shred the labels. I have never really thought about it. What did the Dr say about it? Are they looking into who it could be or just assuming that it is really you? That is pretty weird. It sounds like it would have to be someone there if they are the only one's who knew about it. I am not sure what could be done about it. I would be in there for sure demanding to know what is going on. How concerned are they with the situation?

nicunana · May 1, 2007

Could it be that someone has hacked into your prescription insurance records?

It just doesn't seem logical that it's someone in your Dr.'s office, if they're the ones alerting you to the problem.

GregRN · May 1, 2007

HIPPA violation? Definitely not. HIPAA violation? Maybe, but you'd have to prove it came from your doc's office, and that may be very difficult. Further, one has to wonder if you're really bothered by this or are just looking to make a few bucks since you posted this on a public forum. Either way it's a tough climb with no proof at this point of who got the info and where they got it.

Batman24 · May 1, 2007

It would be hard to prove who was doing this. I would put a call into the doctor to express your concerns. See if the office had been robbed, ask for your file to be secured under lock, etc. It sounds like they know it isn't you and want you to protect yourself accordingly.

Run a credit check on yourself. Make sure nothing looks out of line.

pkapple · May 1, 2007

My husband is a PA-c and this stuff happens a lot more often than you might think. Any one could be trying to get a script in your name--just think of all the people you are acquainted with..at work,school,community groups, many of them probably know which doctor you go to, many may even know personal info like your birthday and address. His office has a policy--no scripts without an appointment-esp pain meds and anti-anxiety stuff. HIPAA violation--no.. the office is not giving out info, they are getting a suspicious phone call and verifying it with you.

The only way a person gets caught is if the script gets called in and the pharmacy realizes that you are not picking it up, of course a friend might pick it up for you (you are in pain after all) so it's a tricky catch, but its the pharmacy that does the catching!

This is a small community and it still happens! Of course if one gets caught it can be a felony-depending on the circumstances--not worth it.

CraigB-RN, MSN, RN · May 1, 2007

This is a criminal problem and not an administrative one. Leave it to the cops. If something comes out in the investigation, then maybe it might be a HIPPA problem.

TazziRN, RN · May 1, 2007

Where is the violation of your medical privacy? The only info needed for a script is name and birthdate. That is not part if HIPAA. This is a criminal problem.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · May 1, 2007

I agree with an above poster who said it could be any one of your acquaintances that could be trying to exploit the knowledge that you are on a pain medication. Alert your dr that you will not be calling for any refills unless he sees you in the office. Tell them you have alerted the police and they will most likely coordinate with the police to catch whoever it is. Ive seen it happen before believe it or not. The docs office calls in the "script" and the police are waiting for whoever shows up to pick it up.

KellieNurse06 · May 2, 2007

I would like to add also....this person will probably be caught ......I don't know the rules for prescriptions being picked up where you live...but in our state the person picking up any type of narcotic or any type of pain med other than run of the mill pain meds (like high mg of ibuprofen etc) has to show their drivers license or state issued id....and the store makes a copy of it to keep on file to verify who the person was that picked up the med......and you have to sign for all meds as well........ Can you call the pharmacy yourself and talk to them about this issue and tell them that if anyone attempts to pick up your prescriptions other than yourself that they should notify the authorities unless you tell them the name of whomever you wish to pick up your meds??? If your pharmacy knows you personally by dealing with you that should help you out in a positive manner.....like my pharmacy knows me well because they see me at least 2x per month getting my daughters meds...so if anyone else other than me goes to get the meds they get suspicious and especially if it was someone they never saw before or were not familiar with.......I think they would even call me in worst case scenario.......... sounds like it is definetly someone who knew you were getting that med before so my hunch would also be on an employee or former employee with a little bit of an issue there.......isn't it sick what people will do to get stuff???? I don't get it at all......:uhoh21: