Do your MD's have unlimited access to all your prescribed Rx's?

[ratbag]

I just learned here in Canada in the province of Quebec that any MD has access via their PC to see what prescriptions any Pharmacies have for you. I didn't realise this and was somewhat shocked when I learned this. Is this the same in the USA?

 

[CoastWatcher]

It's not the case in Ontario.

 

[ScottM]

In the US we can't release any medical data (even to other practices) without a signed release form. Health information in the US is very protected and compartmentalized.

-Scott
Telthera

 

[HarryCat]

In my experience it is variable. I don't know if it varies by state or if it is a national thing, but my old PCP had nothing about my prescriptions, my new PCP has an EHR system and had access to every prescription I had from the main stream pharmacies (Walgreens, CVS, etc). I don't know if the paperwork I filled out when I joined the practice said anything about this, but I was quite surprised when they started asking me about prescriptions that were written by other doctors. Of course they had nothing about the meds I get from compounding pharmacies.

I know my insurance company just sent out a note saying that they were going to start sharing my medical records with all the providers that I see.
At least they gave me the option to call and opt out.

 

[ERO]

When my aging parents fell ill and I had many emergency room visits with each them I was amazed that their OWN doctors in their OWN hospital could not find out what prescriptions they were on in less than an hour. Seriously, you cant make this up - I took to keeping a printed list of current prescription meds for both my mom and dad in my wallet so I could pull it out and hand to them.

 

[Sean Mosher]

I work for a Pain Management doctor here in Houston, TX.
The MA's do pull prescription reports so the doctor is able to tell for a new patient what all their current Rx's include.