• BASIC DRUG
    DISCUSSION
    Welcome to Bluelight!
    Posting Rules Bluelight Rules
    Benzo Chart Opioids Chart
    Drug Terms Need Help??
    Drugs 101 Brain & Addiction
    Tired of your habit? Struggling to cope?
    Want to regain control or get sober?
    Visit our Recovery Support Forums
  • BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards | negrogesic

Does One Doctor Know What Other Doctors Have Prescribed To You?

daddysgone

Bluelighter
Joined
Oct 22, 2007
Messages
1,114
When you go to see a doctor, do they know, or have access to, information regarding what other doctors have prescribed to you?

Obviously if you provide the doc with your medical records, he will know what meds other docs have prescribed, but if you do not provide these records, does he have access to this sort of information?

On one hand I feel that a patient has a right to privacy and that a doctor has no right to this info unless you wish to supply him with it. On the other hand, it's very important for a doc to know what meds other docs have scripted you, so that he does not prescribe something which may have a dangerous interaction.

Anyhow, does anyone know for sure if docs can access information regarding what other doctors have prescribed to you? THanks-DG
 
Doctors can find out what you've been taking by looking it up in your insurance records. If your insurance helps pay for any of your medication, that any doctor/pharmacist can go on your records and have access to it.

If you do not have insurance they will need your permission to release your medical history, however, I'm sure they can find a loophole in there..

I was prescribed Methadone from one doctor who I asked to keep confidential so I don't get profiled from other doctors. Sadly, other doctors found out and that's when I discovered the insurance deal. Kind of bullshit actually.
 
Really??
That seems like a complete invasion of privacy (well clearly it IS an invasion of privacy), but what I mean to say is that it seems like that would constitute an illegal invasion of privacy.

By what right can an insurance company supply anyone (including a doctor) with your personal information?
 
Your insurance keeps a list of every script you've gotten filled. Doesn't seem like an invasion of privacy to me as you make a conscious decision to use an insurance company... Sometimes pharmacies themselves keep such records as well.
 
Your insurance keeps a list of every script you've gotten filled. Doesn't seem like an invasion of privacy to me as you make a conscious decision to use an insurance company... Sometimes pharmacies themselves keep such records as well.

That they keep a list of every script Ive had filled doesnt seem like an invasion of privacy. Its when they share this list with anyone, including doctors, that I feel like an invasion of privacy has taken place. -DG
 
With anyone including doctors? You mean, with only doctors? They and perhaps some pharmacists have access to it. No one else (AFAIK).
 
Hmmm. I typed a long answer to this question about an hour ago and now it is gone. Anyway....a majority of hospitals, doctors offices and pharmacies subscribe
to software from SureScripts, who promise to ensure patient safety without violating HIPPA. My general impression of the site is that Sure Scripts has become the "hub" of prescription monitoring in some form or another. Basically, it is a nationwide system allowing doctors, hospitals and pharmacies to obtain access to
each and every prescription provided to an individual. Here is the link. These guys got it all down. They know ALL and it's scary.
http://www.surescripts.com/index.aspx
What's even scarier than the faceless people at Sure Scripts are the many many professionals that I have personally heard discussing and even making fun of other peoples illnesses. I hope acess to this information is limited to the doctors and pharmacists, but really...I know better.
 
Last edited:
Why else would that question be asked? I was just assuming. Maybe I am wrong.
 
Anyway....a majority of hospitals, doctors offices and pharmacies subscribe
to software from SureScripts, who promise to ensure patient safety without violating HIPPA. My general impression of the site is that Sure Scripts has become the "hub" of prescription monitoring in some form or another. Basically, it is a nationwide system allowing doctors, hospitals and pharmacies to obtain access to
each and every prescription provided to an individual.

This. And technology like it, which also does not violate HIPPA.

So in short, if they care to know, they will know. As invasive as it seems or not.

(This is restricted to the United States)
 
Depends which country you're in. I'm guessing America in this case cos Americans tend to assume this is a US site ;)

In the UK any doctor you see can check your medical records. Doesn't mean they always do but they can if they want to.
 
Yes, Im sorry-I should have specified in my original post that I was asking about the situation in the US (I know...typical American arrogance).

Ok, so the consensus seems to be that (in the US) any doctor can easily access any and all scripts that you have filled from other doctors.

Now this brings me to my next question-Do they simply have the ability to access these records and rarely excercise this ability, or is it a safe bet that when you go to a doctor, he has already accessed this info, or will access this info when he prescribes you something?

Essentially Im trying to determine whether a doctor generally will not access your prescription records unless he has a good reason to, or if its standard pratice to access all patients prescription history.

And for the record, I am NOT asking this question because I am trying to "double dip" my scripts, or engage in any illegal activity. The reason I ask is as follows:
My primary care doc did not want to write me a script for xanax when I requested this. However, I also see a psychiatrist who was perfectly comfortable writing me a script for xanax when I explained my symptoms and reasons I wanted the script. The problem is that I have a good relationship with my primary care doc, and Im a bit uncomfortable about the fact that she may "know" that I am now getting a script for xanax after she decided that she did not want me on this particular drug.

So that is the reason for my asking this question. So given the situation I described, do you think its likely my primary care doc is aware that my psychiatrist is writing me scripts for xanax, or do doctors rarely excercise their apparent right to access the scripts that other docs write for you?-DG
 
I'm not sure about that. My doctor would wouldn't give me xanax because he looked at my records. The funny thing is too, the doctor who prescribed me dones is from a different hospital and everything then my family doc.

I also see a shrink who was willing to prescribe me klonopin after my doctor said no to xanax but I'm not sure if my doctor knows that I'm prescribed klonopin as I haven't seen him yet. I believe most doctors will look up your meds; they don't want to prescribe you anything that may have contraindications of other medications prescribed to you. My best guess.
 
Yes, Im sorry-I should have specified in my original post that I was asking about the situation in the US (I know...typical American arrogance).

Ok, so the consensus seems to be that (in the US) any doctor can easily access any and all scripts that you have filled from other doctors.

Now this brings me to my next question-Do they simply have the ability to access these records and rarely excercise this ability, or is it a safe bet that when you go to a doctor, he has already accessed this info, or will access this info when he prescribes you something?

Essentially Im trying to determine whether a doctor generally will not access your prescription records unless he has a good reason to, or if its standard pratice to access all patients prescription history.

And for the record, I am NOT asking this question because I am trying to "double dip" my scripts, or engage in any illegal activity. The reason I ask is as follows:
My primary care doc did not want to write me a script for xanax when I requested this. However, I also see a psychiatrist who was perfectly comfortable writing me a script for xanax when I explained my symptoms and reasons I wanted the script. The problem is that I have a good relationship with my primary care doc, and Im a bit uncomfortable about the fact that she may "know" that I am now getting a script for xanax after she decided that she did not want me on this particular drug.

So that is the reason for my asking this question. So given the situation I described, do you think its likely my primary care doc is aware that my psychiatrist is writing me scripts for xanax, or do doctors rarely excercise their apparent right to access the scripts that other docs write for you?-DG

I had a Psychiatrist put me on Xanax against the advice of my primary care physician. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. I can actually leave the house without having a mega panic attack now. I would rather be on benzos for my anxiety than anti depressants. You should tell your primary doc you are on Xanax because they do ask you to list the medications you are taking. If you're honest I don't see it being an issue, however it shouldn't be an issue anyways. What you and your psychiatrist do is not the business of your primary doc. The only thing your primary doc needs to know is the medications you are on. I don't think primary docs are equipped to treat panic disorder and/or anxiety efficiently. They always want to hand out anti depressants. It is what it is.
 
My primary care physician actually referred me to a psychiatrist for the very reason that he felt uncomfortable prescribing me benzos on a regular basis. My psychiatrist had me try a number of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds. But now I only get Xanax because it's effective at quickly relieving my anxiety provided that I don't take it too regularly.

If you expect to get good medical advice from your primary care doctor, you can't lie about the meds you're taking. And don't necessarily expect that your primary care doctor will disapprove of you seeing a psychiatrist for anxiety issues. Mine didn't.
 
Thanks for the replies, but things are getting a bit off topic.
I am not lying to my primary care doc. I asked her about putting me on benzos and she decided against it. I also go to psychiatrist and brought up the question of benzos and he thought it was a good idea.
I concede that while I have not lied to my primary care doc, I have not told her that I've been put on benzos because it seems like an awkward and potentially insulting situation- she made a medical decision and I went to another doc who made a decision contrary to hers.

I have reasoned (perhaps wrongly) that my primary care doc shouldn't be the be all end all in terms of my health-care, and that I am entitled to seek other opinions and receive other treatment, and was HOPING that I was entitled also to some privacy regarding my treatment from other doctors.
Apparently I should not expect this sort of privacy.

But getting back to the main point, Id still like to know if my primary care doc is likely aware of the meds I am prescribed by other doctors. I understand that she has access to this info, but generally speaking, does a doctor choose to excercise this access, or do they only look into what meds other docs have prescribed to you in special circumstances?-DG
 
Yup. I'm too paranoid about going into the ER and something getting fucked up cause they didn't know. I'm usually on something when I wind up there. And why not tell them if it's not illegal for me to have it. I con the Dr.'s to give me whatever I want. My mom works there and I have been around that clinic since I was born. So I get all my pain meds there with not even a 2nd look. Hmm I might even say I'm good at it. No, I don't get ANYTHING I want, that's crazy. But I'm 22 and have at least 3 narcotic scripts that I refill on the dot every month.
 
I have always not used insurance when filling opiates [long term scripts]. I have never had a doctor ask me for medical records, ever. Kinda the opposite of what others have said my GP doctor had me on klonopin for years and years [6 refills], sometimes I wouldnt even see him for a couple years at a time just phone calls, it was a decent deal when I needed it there for me. He knew I was an opiate addict and he wouldnt press for details but I told him I see another doctor [psych. an addiction specialist, lol] for op8's and amps. I would just skip over the part about being scripted a fast acting/short duration benzo script, I eventually told him when I decided to detox.

Its kinda scary how much the govt. can 'try' to regulate or keep track of what your taking, good luck on that 1984. Illinois I dont believe has every pharmacy linked up yet but some like Walgreens was always snoopy and prodding there nose where it didnt belong. Sometimes it felt like the pharmacist knew what was up, I would love to see a tally of my scripts for the last 10 yrs.

Peace,
Seedless
 
Thanks for the replies, but things are getting a bit off topic.
I am not lying to my primary care doc. I asked her about putting me on benzos and she decided against it. I also go to psychiatrist and brought up the question of benzos and he thought it was a good idea.
I concede that while I have not lied to my primary care doc, I have not told her that I've been put on benzos because it seems like an awkward and potentially insulting situation- she made a medical decision and I went to another doc who made a decision contrary to hers.

I have reasoned (perhaps wrongly) that my primary care doc shouldn't be the be all end all in terms of my health-care, and that I am entitled to seek other opinions and receive other treatment, and was HOPING that I was entitled also to some privacy regarding my treatment from other doctors.
Apparently I should not expect this sort of privacy.

But getting back to the main point, Id still like to know if my primary care doc is likely aware of the meds I am prescribed by other doctors. I understand that she has access to this info, but generally speaking, does a doctor choose to excercise this access, or do they only look into what meds other docs have prescribed to you in special circumstances?-DG

I think they only do it when your a new patient or they have some kind of suspision... I would not worry about it and you are in the right but if your PCP comes right out and asks you I would tell the truth. Your PCP is not in total control of your care, you have the right to see others, but if asked I would be honest, but thats me... It is not like the doc says hey nurse, it's Monday we need to run script check on everyone.. If your PCP is not suspicious, I don't think you have anything to worry about...
 
Top