Legal question re: prescriptions

[Conoid of Sturm]

I've been reading old threads and I noticed someone saying that under "eye 1" (or something like that--forgive my ignorance), the doctor could not hand the chart/prescription to an optician without first giving the patient his/her written prescription.
Where I work, the doctor never gives the patient their prescription, unless they specifically ask for it. I consider this crap service but the doctor is God and I can't say anything about it. However, can anyone suggest where I could go to research the law on this to make sure we're not breaking it?
Please note I'm not asking for legal advice, I'm asking for advice on where to research the matter. I'm in PA, if it matters. Thank you.

[Snitgirl]

Not sure if this will help you..
Federal Trade Commission
Ophthalmic Practice Rules (16 CFR 456.1—456.4)

[Barry Santini]

Snitgirsl, do you have a link to the FTC rule?

Barry

[hcjilson]

456.2
t is an unfair act or practice for an
ophthalmologist or optometrist to:
(a) Fail to provide to the patient one
copy of the patient’s prescription im-
mediately after the eye examination is
completed.

I would tread very carefully if you are employed by this ophthalmologist. If you feel you must say anything at all, be extremely tactful. In one office I know of, Rx forms are in duplicate and a copy always goes to the patient. If that is the case in your office, your doctory may not fully appreciate your concern.

PS Barry, I got to it by googling snitgirls post! In as much as she did the research to find it, I thought she was being rather lazy not to include the link! :):)

[Conoid of Sturm]

Thanks all, I really appreciate it. Good advice as always.

[Barry Santini]

Thanks for the info!

Barry

[Snitgirl]

456.2
t is an unfair act or practice for an
ophthalmologist or optometrist to:
(a) Fail to provide to the patient one
copy of the patient’s prescription im-
mediately after the eye examination is
completed.

I would tread very carefully if you are employed by this ophthalmologist. If you feel you must say anything at all, be extremely tactful. In one office I know of, Rx forms are in duplicate and a copy always goes to the patient. If that is the case in your office, your doctory may not fully appreciate your concern.

PS Barry, I got to it by googling snitgirls post! In as much as she did the research to find it, I thought she was being rather lazy not to include the link! :):)

lol:p

[chip anderson]

You might hint to the doctor that the fine (if anyone ever has the nerve to complain) is $10,000 per patient. Sometimes fear will overcome greed.

[optical24/7]

You might hint to the doctor that the fine (if anyone ever has the nerve to complain) is $10,000 per patient. Sometimes fear will overcome greed.

Hey, why don't we all meet up in Philly, have our eyes tested by this doc, then sue him for 10k each when he refuses to release our Rx. Drinks are on me! :D

[Fezz]

Count me in..its a short drive for me!


Fezz
:cheers:

[Snitgirl]

My husband has always wanted to see Philly and he needs an eye exam :D:cheers:

[optical24/7]

Disclaimer on my post above.....

When I said drinks are on me I didn't know Fezz was joining us. Fezz, you go dutch...:D







(Fezz, just joshing you. But wern't you the one that posted about drinking a beer at 2 p.m. last Fri?.....:D)

[chip anderson]

Actually on some days when I have M.D.'s who wouldn't give out the time of day as far as Rx's calling me for lens specifications (odd no one is ever interested in pre-fit K's), I have concidered spending my retirement getting eye exams and turning eye doctors who didn't give me my Rx to the FTC.
Odd the "Opticians Associations" never concidered hireing retired (who couldn't be blackballed by prescribers) opticians for this. Would probably restore the independent optician (which was the purpose Eyeglass I & II).

Chip

[rbaker]

I'm available . . . And, you might want to look up the legal definition of racketeering in your State. It could be vewwy vewwy intewesting. You could probably put half the dispensing merchant MD's in any given state in jail.

[Fezz]

Disclaimer on my post above.....

When I said drinks are on me I didn't know Fezz was joining us. Fezz, you go dutch...:D







(Fezz, just joshing you. But wern't you the one that posted about drinking a beer at 2 p.m. last Fri?.....:D)

Ok...Ok ........I see how it is!!!
Yes...I did admit to the enjoying an adult beverage at an obviously early hour of the day(FRIDAY at that). So....are you jealous, envious, irritated and irate? I'll go dutch, thats OK. But be forwarned........the party starts when i arrive, ...early on a Friday!!!!!!!!!!!! ;^) !!!!!!!!



Fezz
:cheers:

[optical24/7]

lol. yea, wish i could have joined you..

[Nettie]

Can we wait until I am out that way next July?? I wanna come too!

[Nettie]

http://www.eyetopics.com/articles/82/1/What-are-my-Contact-Lens-Prescription-Rights%3F

I thought this was a good article.

[Conoid of Sturm]

Just for the record, in this doc's case I'm pretty sure the reason for not giving out rx's is plain old laziness rather than wanting to keep the patients "in house." I do hope you all visit Philly though!

[GOS_Queen]

http://www.eyetopics.com/articles/82/1/What-are-my-Contact-Lens-Prescription-Rights%3F

I thought this was a good article.


Very nice article, btw. :cheers:

Not to get this thread off topic, but THAT site is where consumers should be "encouraged" to go for information (when they visit optiboard with questions). :idea:


Okay, back to your regular programming ... :p

[chip anderson]

Coniod:
I suspect that knowledge of the $10,000.00 fine would be a sufficent motivation for even the laziest (but not for the greadiest) prescriber.

Chip