Ever heard of HIPAA? That was the very rudely asked question. Which the sales clerk asked me at my local Pharmacy today, when I was picking up some Prescriptions for my self and my Mother. The Clerk wanted me to tell her my Mothers Birth Date. Now, I don't remember those kinds of things. I do well to remember my own info, much less anyone else. And even if I did remember. The month, day and year that someone is born. Is not something to be speaking out loud in Public. Not with Identity Theft being one of the most common Crimes in the World Today!:O I said, I don't know that. Then she proceeds over to ask the Pharmacist what to do. As if this was a matter of "National Security"! Now, I have been Purchasing all of my Prescription Drugs from this Pharmacy for over 12 years and I know she recognizes me and knows who my Mom is too. And the whole point of the thing, according to HIPAA. Is to make sure that I am authorized to pick up my Mothers Medicine. And I know that she (the clerk) is just going to ask for my Phone Number and Address. Like she always does... Mind you, no one else at this Pharmacy makes any a big deal out of this HIPAA thing. Most of them, say "Hi Mr. Bishop, how are you today"? When I arrive and are quite courteous and kind through out the transaction. I don't remember ever having this kind of problem with any one else there, in the past. But, not this young lady. She has always been rude (she has been there for several years now) or on her good days completely agnostic towards my Mother and my self when we shop there. This attitude really got to me today. So, I let her know it. I don't remember my exact words now. But, I mentioned Identity Thief and that asking my Phone Number and Address is quite enough of a security measure. If not too much info, for that purpose. She, boldly announced "I'm just doing my Job"! She went on with the Transaction, saying this and that (I can't remember the details of what else was said here). And then I mentioned that she was rude and she had been rude to my Mother in the Past (that's the crux of my anger, right there). And instead of Apologizing (even if she didn't mean it, that is the smart thing to do when dealing with customers, who are the reason you stay in business and even have a job). She, made a face and flat denied being rude at all. I asked her if she would prefer that I take my business elsewhere. She, said... "That's your Prerogative"... "They will just ask you"... (something to the effect of the same security questions). With such an official voice. As if she worked for some Special Branch of the Government (instead of the local Pharmacy)! Then she motioned to the Pharmacist and he came over to "explain" things to me. He really only said, that this was their way of making sure that they don't give us the wrong Prescription. Of course, a Phone Number and or Address will do just fine for this Purpose. But, buy this time I was just to angry to continue with a Civil Tongue. And the Pharmacist is fairly new. I have only spoken to him one other time and hes was very polite. So, for some reason. I just said, that she was rude. As if that was the biggest problem I had with it all. And mostly, I guess that would be the biggest problem here. A Diss Respectful Store Clerk. I was the only Customer in the Pharmacy the whole time. I suppose one reason why I even said as much as I did. I really don't like making a scene in public. The Pharmacist, only replied that he "didn't see it" (her rudeness). And then he walked away. I couldn't help but get in the last word and say... "Well, I say she is, and I'm the customer"!

When I got home. I looked up HIPAA? I of course had told her... Yes, I have herd of HIPAA... And I had, though I couldn't remember any Specifics at the time. But, I knew that she was being rude and asking too much information. Just to Pick up a Prescription! When I looked up HIPAA. I found out that I was exactly right and that they don't even have to ask your Phone Number or Address. All that they are required to do According to HIPAA, is...

"HIPAA allows health care providers (such as pharmacists) to give prescription drugs, medical supplies, X-rays, and other health care items to a family member, friend, or other person you send to pick them up."

"When someone other than a friend or family member is asking about you, your health care provider must be reasonably sure that you
asked the person to be involved in your care or payment for your care." (Notice, not only Family but Friends too. Read More Below.)

"A pharmacist may give your prescription to a friend you send to pick it up."

Tell that to the Rude Young Lady at the Pharmacy. Next Time she acts like the Pharmacy's Secrete Police! They have no need or right to be asking a Parsons Birth Date. Just to allow you to Pickup a Prescription. Giving out your Phone Number and Address is Risky Enough. Especially in Public. With other People standing by listing. Your Birth Date, may just be the last piece of info that they need to Steal Your Identity!...

Don

Can I have another person pick up my prescription drugs, medical supplies, or X-rays?

Answer:

Yes. HIPAA allows health care providers (such as pharmacists) to give prescription drugs, medical supplies, X-rays, and other health care items to a family member, friend, or other person you send to pick them up.
Created 9/16/08
Go there...
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/faq/disclosures_to_friends_and_family/527.html

A PATIENT’S GUIDE TO THE HIPAA PRIVACY RULE: See PDF Attached or Download Online here... http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/consumer_ffg.pdf

When Health Care Providers May Communicate About You
with Your Family, Friends, or Others Involved In Your Care
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services • Office for Civil Rights
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) enforces the Federal privacy regulations commonly
known as the HIPAA Privacy Rule (HIPAA). HIPAA requires most doctors, nurses, pharmacies, hospitals,
nursing homes, and other health care providers to protect the privacy of your health information. Here is a list
of common questions about HIPAA and when health care providers may discuss or share your health
information with your family members, friends, or others involved in your care or payment for care.

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT HIPAA
1. If I do not object, can my health care provider share or discuss my health information with my
family, friends, or others involved in my care or payment for my care?
Yes. As long as you do not object, your health care provider is allowed to share or discuss your health
information with your family, friends, or others involved in your care or payment for your care. Your
provider may ask your permission, may tell you he or she plans to discuss the information and give you an
opportunity to object, or may decide, using his or her professional judgment, that you do not object. In any
of these cases, your health care provider may discuss only the information that the person involved needs to
know about your care or payment for your care.
Here are some examples:
• An emergency room doctor may discuss your treatment in front of your friend when you ask that
your friend come into the treatment room.
• Your hospital may discuss your bill with your daughter who is with you at the hospital and has
questions about the charges.
• Your doctor may talk to your sister who is driving you home from the hospital about your keeping
your foot raised during the ride home.
• Your doctor may discuss the drugs you need to take with your health aide who has come with you to
your appointment.
• Your nurse may tell you that she is going to tell your brother how you are doing, and then she may
discuss your health status with your brother if you did not say that she should not.

BUT:
• Your nurse may not discuss your condition with your brother if you tell her not to.
When Health Care Providers May Communicate About You With Your
Family, Friends, or Others Involved In Your Care

WHEN HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS MAY COMMUNICATE ABOUT YOU WITH YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, OR OTHERS INVOLVED IN YOUR CARE
2. If I am unconscious or not around, can my health care provider still share or discuss my health
information with my family, friends, or others involved in my care or payment for my care?
Yes. If you are not around or cannot give permission, your health care provider may share or discuss your
health information with family, friends, or others involved in your care or payment for your care if he or she
believes, in his or her professional judgment, that it is in your best interest. When someone other than a
friend or family member is asking about you, your health care provider must be reasonably sure that you
asked the person to be involved in your care or payment for your care. Your health care provider may share
your information face to face, over the phone, or in writing, but may only share the information that the
family member, friend, or other person needs to know about your care or payment for your care.

Here are some examples:
• A surgeon who did emergency surgery on you may tell your spouse about your condition, either in
person or by phone, while you are unconscious.
• A pharmacist may give your prescription to a friend you send to pick it up.
• A doctor may discuss your drugs with your caregiver who calls your doctor with a question about
the right dosage.

BUT:
• A nurse may not tell your friend about a past medical problem that is unrelated to your current
condition.
3. Do I have to give my health care provider written permission to share or discuss my health
information with my family members, friends, or others involved in my care or payment for my care?

HIPAA does not require that you give your health care provider written permission. However, your
provider may prefer or require that you give written permission. You may want to ask about your
provider’s requirements.
4. If my family or friends call my health care provider to ask about my condition, will they have to give
my provider proof of who they are?

HIPAA does not require proof of identity in these cases. However, your health care provider may have his
or her own rules for verifying who is on the phone. You may want to ask about your provider’s rules.
5. Can I have another person pick up my prescription drugs, medical supplies, or X-rays?
Yes. HIPAA allows health care providers (such as pharmacists) to give prescription drugs, medical supplies,
X-rays, and other health care items to a family member, friend, or other person you send to pick them up.
6. Can my health care provider discuss my health information with an interpreter?
Yes. HIPAA allows your health care provider to share your health information with an interpreter who
works for the provider to help communicate with you or your family, friends, or others involved in your
care. If the interpreter is someone who does not work for your health care provider, HIPAA also allows
your provider to discuss your health information with the interpreter so long as you do not object.

When Health Care Providers May Communicate About You With Your
Family, Friends, or Others Involved In Your Care

WHEN HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS MAY COMMUNICATE ABOUT YOU WITH YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, OR OTHERS INVOLVED IN YOUR CARE
7. How can I help make sure my health care providers share my health information with my family,
friends, or others involved in my care or payment for my care when I want them to?
Print a copy of this document and discuss it with your health care provider at your next appointment. You
may also want to share this information with your family members, friends, or others involved in your care
or payment for your care.
8. Where can I get more information about HIPAA?

The HHS Office for Civil Rights Web site at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/ has a variety of resources to
help you understand HIPAA.

When Health Care Providers May Communicate About You With Your
Family, Friends, or Others Involved In Your Care

Health Information Privacy

The Office for Civil Rights enforces the HIPAA Privacy Rule, which protects the privacy of individually identifiable health information; the HIPAA Security Rule, which sets national standards for the security of electronic protected health information; and the confidentiality provisions of the Patient Safety Rule, which protect identifiable information being used to analyze patient safety events and improve patient safety.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules

Learn about the Rules' protection of individually identifiable health information, the rights granted to individuals, OCR’s enforcement activities, and how to file a complaint with OCR.

The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 (PSQIA) Patient Safety Rule

Learn about the Patient Safety Rule's protection of confidential patient safety work product, the permitted disclosures of patient safety work product, OCR's enforcement activities, and how to file a complaint with OCR.

Read More...
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/