re: Is anyone here a HIPAA expert?

My pharmacy mails me coupons all the time. But there isn’t anything specific about the drug on them. Like $5.00 off kinda thing.

Opening her mail is not a HIPAA violation, the pharmacy or any other medical provider giving her medical information to her ex if he calls them is.

Hope that helps.

Which pharmacy is she using that mails out prescription information?

Interfering with her medications is not a HIPAA issue per se. That could be a whole other host of crimes/law violations depending on where and how. If he is policyholder he can probably see it now and, unless she specifically invoked to not share, protected health information is typically shared with the spouse (he still is until legally separated).

quote:

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My mother is getting a divorce

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then she needs to work with them and let them know she is getting a divorvce and needs help to sort it all out and set up new mailing address and prescription updated info

its based on her income level now not their passed joint income so all that changes and she may need to pay more or less then they covered before based on her half of the divorce and it can get complicated. if she gains assets from the divorce then she may no longer qualify until those assets are used up and just transferring or selling them doesnt help as there are mandated waiting periods that could mean 6 months to a year of no coverage if she sold assets. they are good about preventing you from just hiding your money.

it doesnt sound like an amical divorce, but if she can get him to agree to put her half of everything put into your name so it doesnt count for her income and assets then that would be the best way to go.

its going to be a very frustrating thing to deal with and will take some time to sort it all out

She needs to change addresses on everything and I mean everything she does not want him to get ahold of. If she is hiding something and goes to court though, the judge could compel her to provide information on the drugs she's taking to the other party.

I'm confused if she is worried about getting her meds or some sort of coupons? He wouldn't already know what meds she's on?

hippa is a requirement for
medical providers to keep a patients information private ans confidential.

not person to person.

Even though pharmacy personnel undergo HIPPA training, the key is to have a conversation with the employees (preferably the RPh) and let them now the basics. Generally, most pharmacy software has patient notes and they can add something to the effect that NOBODY can pick up or ask shite about her medical info. If they are incompetent, then bad things could possibly happen with info.

Unless she has legal papers that give said stepdad access to her medical info, she should not be worried. We never mail any medical or drug information to an address. That would be dumb and open up the business to all kinda troubles. The biggest issue is picking up drugs at the pharmacy, which people can do for family if they know basic info. Either transfer the rx's to a new pharmacy of have the pharmacy put a note that nobody can pick up her meds but her or a designated acquaintance.

Unless your stepdad is your moms employer, HIPAA laws have no bearing here. I would she find a new pharmacy if she is afraid he will get her prescriptions or info. Have them put a note in her computer file saying that only she can pick up her prescriptions and she must show two forms of ID.