Something odd yesterday with trying to get a prescription filled

[Mist]

I went yesterday evening to a big box pharmacy (Rite Aid) as I had a pressing need to fill a scrip. Normally I go to a local independent pharmacy that’s been here for decades. The pharmacist is knowledgeable and helpful, and I support local business over corporate business. But they close at 6 pm.

ANYWAY, when they filled the scrip at Rite Aid, they wanted me to do some electronic signature thing. I thought they were mixed up as I was paying cash, and they didn’t need an electronic signature for cash. But it seems it had something to do with HIPPA. I hadn’t heard of this before, and questioned them. “Where does this information go?” No answer forthcoming. (I was dealing with a middle-aged woman pharmacist and a teen counter clerk). There was something in the little blurb on the electronic signature box that indicated it was mainly for third party payment (insurance). I said that it didn’t seem to apply to me, as I don’t have insurance, and am paying with cash. The pharmacist said it was just so there was a record of the scrip being picked up. (Because a receipt isn’t enough?) I asked why my regular pharmacist never asked me to sign something like this. How does Rite Aid horn in on HIPPA stuff, which, as I understand it, is about sharing a patient’s medical info among **medical practitioners**. Rite Aid is not a medical practitioner. I got no answer as to why my regular pharmacist does not require this, and I got no real answer as to why Rite Aid *does* require it. I said I’d get it filled the next day (today) at my regular pharmacist, as they were unable or unwilling to answer my questions. Got my paper scrip back and went to my regular pharmacy this morning to get the scrip filled.

Has anyone else come across this? It seems to me to be inappropriate info mining on the part of a corporate pharmacist.

[elleng]

1. Dunno, agree sounds questionable to me.

I go to CVS, frequently pay w debit, but when I pay w cash they only ask, as with all scrips, I sign in a 3-ring binder, paper, to show I've received and have no questions.

[Richardo]

2. I'd relate this to your regular pharmacist and see what he or she says...

...that would be the most informed answer I'd think.

[ceile]

3. My pharmacy does that.

But it's to cover their butts. By signing the electronic screen, you are acknowledging that you have the correct scrip and that you are paying the correct amount per your insurance company. Even smaller pharmacies should have you sign some sort of receipt of acknowledgement....

[emilyg]

4. Kroger pharmacy does it, too.

[Lex]

5. My Rite Aid pharmacy requires me to sign an electronic receipt saying

I picked up that medicine and the information sheet on the medicine was provided, and that I want (or decline) to talk to a pharmacist before I take the medicine.

[petronius]

6. That's what I assumed it was - we have to bubble a box by that message each time,

but I've never paid in cash so I don't know if they'd make me do it then. I'd be surprised if it was HIPAA, however - probably more of a CYA 'here are your pills you're on your own' legal strategy...

[seaglass]

7. Pharmacists do need to follow HIPAA laws. Pretty much anyone

who has access to confidential patient info has to agree not to disclose it. Even field technicians who work on pharmacy equipment should be signing a HIPAA confidentiality agreement or at least be HIPAA aware in case they inadvertently see patient med info - which includes a patient's prescriptions.

[blue neen]

8. If it was your first time getting a prescription filled at that Rite Aid,

the electronic HIPAA signature blank would automatically come up. You wouldn't have to sign that the next time you went there. The HIPAA signature is a federal government regulation.

You would, however, probably have to sign for the script, whether you pay cash or not. It is the best way for the pharmacy to know that you did receive your prescription.

It might seem like info mining by the corporate pharmacist, but really it's not.

Some people will go to any lengths these days to get their hands on medications, whether those medications belong to them or not. The pharmacy is protecting themselves and you.