How much of a patients info is available to doctors?

[super302]

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1) can a doctor tell when/if a patient filled a prescription
2) can a doctor find out patients past medication from a previous doctor if they didnt transfer to you (i.e. switching from one FP doc to another FP for whatever reason)


always wondered these 😕

 

[Non-TradTulsa]

1) can a doctor tell when/if a patient filled a prescription
2) can a doctor find out patients past medication from a previous doctor if they didnt transfer to you (i.e. switching from one FP doc to another FP for whatever reason)


always wondered these 😕

Depends on where you're practicing. I think in just about any state now you could ask your state narcotics board for a report on a patient. In my state, they've instituted a comprehensive online prescription database - it's going to make life unpleasant for doctor-shoppers. I think before too much longer such systems will be available everywhere.

 

[Law2Doc]

2) can a doctor find out patients past medication from a previous doctor if they didnt transfer to you (i.e. switching from one FP doc to another FP for whatever reason)


always wondered these 😕

Generally to obtain past medical records from another doctor/hospital you need to have a patient sign a consent form.
There are law enforcement mechanisms in place to catch people who hit up multiple doctors for duplicate prescriptions though, if that is what you are getting at.

 

[DickyV]

Not sure about the legality, but if a doctor calls a pharmacy and asks if a patient of theirs had an Rx filled there, the pharmacy will tell them yes or no.

 

[deleted87716]

In most states, treating physicians can access medication refill histories from pharmacies. I request refill histories in cases where I suspect fraud or abuse, or when patients are confused about their medications.

It would be unethical to request a refill history on someone who was not your patient, however. I'm not sure if that's what you're asking about.

 

[Dr JPH]

1) can a doctor tell when/if a patient filled a prescription

Yes and no.

A physician can call the pharmacy in order to recieve a medical profile for a specific patient, but the patient may be using multiple pharmacies for multiple physicians.

Some people will have Dr X write for a narcotic prescription and fill it at Walgreens, then go see Dr Y who will write the same prescription and they will fill it at CVS. If the patient pays cash and the Rxs are not run through the insurance, they arent easy to track.

2) can a doctor find out patients past medication from a previous doctor if they didnt transfer to you (i.e. switching from one FP doc to another FP for whatever reason)

You can get records faxed from the patients previous physicians but the patient must fill out a release form.

 

[DrMom]

In most states, treating physicians can access medication refill histories from pharmacies. I request refill histories in cases where I suspect fraud or abuse, or when patients are confused about their medications.

I've done that a few times...helpful when a patient can't remember which multiple BP meds they're on. I've also called pharmacies when I've gotten firm evidence of narcotic/benzo abuse. (ie: OD patient comes in with multiple Rx for narcotics from multiple docs and pharmacies)

 

[deleted87716]

If the patient pays cash and the Rxs are not run through the insurance, they arent easy to track.

All prescriptions and refills are logged in a pharmacy's computer database, regardless of how they're paid for. The refill history comes directly from the pharmacy, not the insurance company.

 

[Dr JPH]

All prescriptions and refills are logged in a pharmacy's computer database, regardless of how they're paid for. The refill history comes directly from the pharmacy, not the insurance company.

Agreed. But a person can get multiple narcotic prescriptions filled at different pharmacies WITHOUT it being known to the physician OR pharmacist, if the person is paying cash.

Unless the person goes through their insurance company the little "refill too soon" notice doesnt pop up for the pharmacist to review.