Is it a HIPPA violation to email a patient their prescription to their personal email? Our Dr. Won’t allow us to email Rx’s unless it is a secure email which is irritating patients.
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Is it a HIPPA violation to email a patient their prescription to their personal email? Our Dr. Won’t allow us to email Rx’s unless it is a secure email which is irritating patients.
That is ridiculous! And it's called HIPAA
Nobody in Washington DC is going to prosecute anyone for this. Ever. Period.
Now if you're Doc figures this patient is lost to a discounter/internet than that's the office policy and so be it. We always suggest a picture on a cell phone ensures the rx handed to them can be duplicated as needed.
This policy is a two edged sword- especially if that person is a long time patient imo.
Our technology here is so old. We don't email anything to a patient because we don't trust the security. We aren't set up to be able to email an Rx anyway. The photo on a cell phone is always recommended. Always a good idea for emergencies when traveling.
The current doctor I work for and the last one I worked for both refuse to email a prescription, insisting it is illegal, even though it isn't. They just didn't want to risk it or bother setting up a secure email. It is very frustrating but if you blame it on HIPPA and sympathize with how annoying it is then patients typically will get irritated at the law instead of you which helps a little bit : ^ )
At least we don't blame it on HIPPA. We know we are still stuck in the last century :rolleyes:
Huh. I have always been told that sending any prescription information via email is a HIPAA violation.
It is legal, it is not a HIPAA violation if, and only if, it is sent via secure email.
I think, too, that just "typing it on an email" is not a prescription. (I've had people ask for that.)
It would have to be an electronic, signed copy attached to an email.
Plus, don't you all retain a copy of the prescription when filling it? We at least scan the outside Rx into our system (or retain a photocopy if a paper record).
How could a cell-phone photo be sufficient, legally? Is it just that, in states that allow duplication, "we don't need no stinkin' Rx"?
(Why duplication is allowed in the first place is another issue.)
I'm not a lawyer, however (thankfully) and I may be off on this.
This horse is long gone from the corral boys.
For an eyeglass prescription lawyers would find it amusing I'm sure...
In Texas at least, they say at CE that we are not allowed to email or fax a prescription directly to a patient.
Can "they" point to a very specific statute, state code, actual law, or legal precedent concerning the same when making this claim? It seems the reality is that this is likely a real nothingburger. I would expect the rules of your particular office (as they pertain to one's continued gainful employment) may be the strongest director of what to do in these scenarios.Quote:
Originally Posted by EyeTrek
The reality is that there isn't likely to be anyone except the patient, or someone asking on their behalf, asking for the SRx. Abuse is highly unlikely as a scammer is about as likely to have the same SRx as the pt, as you are to be hit my a 10 ton meteor. :rolleyes: