Could someone be using my Insurance to buy pharmacuticals?

[rockenmomRN]

So I thought I would put this out there for you guys, and before I start I'll admit i didn't do to too much research to see if its been covered before.

Well here's the situation: yesterday I want Pharmacy ___ to pick up an Rx of ___. When I arrived I told the tech that I was there to pick up a perscription that my dr had called in. She politely told me that they had not called in the order yet. So I handed her the active (copy) perscription that the dr had given me. She looked kind of puzzeled asked why did they give me the copy if they were going to call it in. I explained to her that this was something new they were doing. Since they hadn't called the order in I asked if she could fill it off of the Rx order I had just handed to her. She kindly said yes.

As she was scanning in the order I asked her if she was going to ask for any ID. She then explained that when i returned they would verify by asking my Bday and address. I was a little shocked and asked if that was the ONLY means of verifying that someone is who they say they are. She said yes.

When I returned (via the drive up window), I said I was there to pick up a perscription for _____ _______. She grabbed the bag and as promised asked what my address and B-day was. I gave her my new address and bday. she asked was there another address. I said oh yes, it was ____, but we recently moved. She then asked if I would like to update the information to which I said yes. and she did.

this whole situation really bothered me and again I asked her if she was going to verify that I am who I say I am. She said and I quote "I know our system needs improvement but all require is address and Bday" I then explained that I work in healthcare and have access to all kinds of peoples info, with out asking for my DL (at the very least), how was she to know I wasn't someone else. At the very least ask for the insurance card that has my name on it.

Anyhow, it just really concerns me that this happens everyday at pharmacies everywhere. There is no proof as to a persons idenity.

What can we do about it? Any ideas?

[allison_lpn, LPN]

I agree with you completely more needs to be done to protect you and you identity. Ironically, as I was reading this, they were just talking about identity theft on the local news and how people only need your health insurance ID card to get healthcare, including perscription drugs. You would think with the HIPPA laws, pharmacies would have to comply more, with protecting healthcare information. And as a nurse we are constantly having to verifiy identification with our patients to ensure proper patient with proper meds, shouldn't the pharmacy have to do the same. Even if only to protect themselves from med errors!!

[heron, ASN, RN]

So ... do you want all that info about you in the pharmacy computer system?

Sure, there's a theoretical chance that someone who knew what meds you're picking up could intercept them ... but how likely is it? Why would anyone want your meds.

I would much rather the pharmacist pay attention to the pills she was putting in the bottle, and the computer system be used for printing out as much info about those pills as they can squeeze on the page.

I agree that identity theft is scary and way too prevalent, but this particular scenario seems low-risk, seems to me.

How would someone go about getting the rest of your information with just your name, address and DOB? Any way of blocking that process without driving our drug costs and the pharmacy's overhead even higher?

[heron, ASN, RN]

I agree with you completely more needs to be done to protect you and you identity. Ironically, as I was reading this, they were just talking about identity theft on the local news and how people only need your health insurance ID card to get healthcare, including perscription drugs. You would think with the HIPPA laws, pharmacies would have to comply more, with protecting healthcare information. And as a nurse we are constantly having to verifiy identification with our patients to ensure proper patient with proper meds, shouldn't the pharmacy have to do the same. Even if only to protect themselves from med errors!!

Maybe the insurance card shouldn't have the same identifying data printed on it, just name and group name, or something. Maybe the customer should have to show a driver's license or ID to pick up.

[angelfaceLPN]

Funny thing is that they don't care who picks up prescriptions for other people either. I had a "friend" of mine call in and request a refill of one medication that I take for stress headaches, Esgic plus. She proceeded to pick it up as well saying that she was picking it up for me because I was too sick to go get it myself. The kicker is I called to have this Rx filled and they informed me that I had it filled the week before and so I asked if I could come pick it up and they told me that it had already been picked up! So, not only did she call in my prescription she also picked it up and used it herself!!! I called again to the pharmacy and asked who picked it up and they described this "friend" of mine! I have good insurance and no co pay for prescriptions. I questioned the "friend" and she initally denied taking my Rx but then got scared that I was going to file a complaint and she would get in trouble so she finally admitted to taking it. How crazy is that?! :angryfire

[angelfaceLPN]

"Sure, there's a theoretical chance that someone who knew what meds you're picking up could intercept them ... but how likely is it? Why would anyone want your meds."

Someone who is a pill abuser would like pain medications that are prescribed for you and as my post shows earlier that is exactly what happened!!!

[heron, ASN, RN]

Funny thing is that they don't care who picks up prescriptions for other people either. I had a "friend" of mine call in and request a refill of one medication that I take for stress headaches, Esgic plus. She proceeded to pick it up as well saying that she was picking it up for me because I was too sick to go get it myself. The kicker is I called to have this Rx filled and they informed me that I had it filled the week before and so I asked if I could come pick it up and they told me that it had already been picked up! So, not only did she call in my prescription she also picked it up and used it herself!!! I called again to the pharmacy and asked who picked it up and they described this "friend" of mine! I have good insurance and no co pay for prescriptions. I questioned the "friend" and she initally denied taking my Rx but then got scared that I was going to file a complaint and she would get in trouble so she finally admitted to taking it. How crazy is that?! :angryfire

Crazy isn't the word! How did she find out the prescription information?

[angelfaceLPN]

Yeah, illegal is more the word that I was thinking! She was a friend of mine and she knew that I took that prescription. She just by chance called the pharmacy and I was due for a refill so she took it upon herself to get it. She also was one who got the DEA number from the doctors office and was actually calling in her own prescriptions!!! She was working at the same hair salon I was and had gotten into my purse and checked out my Rx and saw when it would be time for a refill. That was how she got the info. We just kept our purses in the break room. It was a small salon only 8 people worked there, never had issues with stealing before, so it was "safe" to leave purses back there. I learned my lesson! With friends like her one does not need enemies!

[heron, ASN, RN]

Never a walk in the park, having an active addict in your life. I hope you were able to get your meds before having to go through a migraine without it!

[angelfaceLPN]

Nope, she took them all and I had to wait another month before I could get them refilled. I am certain that I could have called the pharmacy back and the Dr and got a new Rx but I didn't want to deal with the hassle and I am sure the police would have ended up involved. I guess I spared myself that headache, only to deal with the real ones. Nice, huh?

[GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN]

My pharmacy does the same(Large national chain), justs asks for your address. I have picked up narc rx's for family and friends (post-op ) unable to drive, just gave them their name and address, no ID req

[Straydandelion]

Having to pick up medications for a disabled mother and brother I hope the process wouldn't be more complicated, I don't know many that would intentionally want Alzheimer's or thyroid medication anyway. My pharmacy knows me however and has never questioned my need to pick up either.