1-800 postcard

[IIII]

I was wondering if anyone else out there in cyberland is receiving the postcard from 1-800-contacts requesting contact lens info, but it is not a rx verification request.

[GOS_Queen]

What does the postcard say? Is is patient specific ?



Karen

[IIII]

GOS Queen

The postcard reads that according to FCLCA, once a cl rx is finished, the prescriber shall provide a copy to the patient and anyone designated to act on behalf of the pt. ( We do this and do not have a problem with it)

1-800 formally requests a copy of the cl rx. This is not a rx verification request.
Then is lists the patient name, city and zip and tells you where to fax or mail.

[LENNY]

I would send them the postcard with the note:

Bussiness closed because of the 1-800 competition!



BTW Dont they have to send you a sighned HIPPA form?!

[culland]

I would disregard this postcard to a certain extent. If you send out the rx with the patient at the time of final fit than you've done your duty as the prescriber and held up your end of the FCLCA! If a patient wants another copy of the prescription you need to determine how to handle that as to mailing one to them upon their request etc... I start to wonder how HIPAA compliant a postcard like this is? Postcard with patient info, dr. info, asking for an Rx sent to patient on an open faced postcard. Does the patient know that their info is being sent out like this?

[drk]

Actually, if you read the highlights of the FCLCA, you are required to provide a CL Rx upon request to the patient or patient's agent.

http://www.clspectrum.com/article.as...ay\0405025.htm

You are probably more on the hook to do it with this postcard request than a phone request, IMO. Failure to provide an Rx is going to be enforced. With the phone verification system, at least, your failure to answer their requests would be construed as "passive verification".

In other words, the law is written such that if you get in the way of 1-800 or the patient by not releasing, you are looking at fines. If you ignore their calls, they have your implicit authorization to fill the Rx, and they will leave you alone, since they get their money.

Cut and paste from link:

The seller is not required by the CLR or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA; see 42 USC 201 et seq.) to obtain written authority from the patient when seeking verification.


If you think this is a raw deal, you have organized Optometry to thank, since they rolled over and played dead on Capitol Hill during testimony.

[LENNY]

So lets say I want to get a CL RX from an Ophthalmologist down the street for a patient that came to the store. I call in and they tell me that they cant find the record ( they do dispense CLs)
What do I do?
How do i prove that this was the response?
Do I send them a Certified letter!?

[Ed_Optician]

As a NY licensed Ophthalmic Dispenser it applies equally well elsewhere
1. Verbally request by phone
2. Fax request with signed patient release
3. Verify receipt of fax
4. Have patient secure a copy of their Rx preferably in person

Ed