Accutane

[dennis]

Thanks Millard..that is exactly what I was refering to.I would hate for my insurance company to put "anabolics usage" in my file.

[___]

Originally Posted by Millard Baker

Government agencies and private corporations can request and receive medical records e.g. insurance companies, prosecutors.

Insurance is one thing, and they can dig into your medical records to deny or change coverage. You actually sign a waiver to release that information to the company so it is entirely in your control. You can change the waiver or opt to release scoped information instead. You just have to get the insurer to sign too

It would have to be *very* special circumstances for a prosecutor to get your medical records and use them against you. It basically does not happen. Your records are as protected as your client attorney privilege is protected. The prosecutor doesn't magically get access to that special relationship with your attorney and neither does the prosecutor get access to your medical records. The link I sent clearly states that. Please provide evidence to the contrary instead of just saying that it could maybe happen.

In fact, here is another link describing exactly who has access to your information. If you are in a litigation and your medical records are at the heart of the issue they can be subpoenaed, but this is NOT prosecution, this is civil litigation. And even in light of that you can still argue against the subpoena and at the very least scope the information so that the medical records that enter into the court records are relevant to the case.

[Millard Baker]

Originally Posted by ___

The prosecutor doesn't magically get access to that special relationship with your attorney and neither does the prosecutor get access to your medical records. The link I sent clearly states that. Please provide evidence to the contrary instead of just saying that it could maybe happen.

Signature Pharmacy.

[___]

Originally Posted by Millard Baker

Signature Pharmacy.

This has nothing to do with doctor patient confidentiality. This was an illicit drug cabal with plenty of financial (non-medical) evidence to support moving forward with an attempt at prosecution.

If I get busted buying pot from a dealer, authorities do not need access to my medical records to prosecute. In fact, it would be silly of them to move in that direction as it could hurt their case. If I get busted buying steroids from any source, there is no reason to open my records for the very same reason. It adds nothing to the case.

Talking to your doctor about your drug use is not going to land anyone in jail. Period.

[Millard Baker]

Originally Posted by ___

This has nothing to do with doctor patient confidentiality. This was an illicit drug cabal with plenty of financial (non-medical) evidence to support moving forward with an attempt at prosecution.

If I get busted buying pot from a dealer, authorities do not need access to my medical records to prosecute. In fact, it would be silly of them to move in that direction as it could hurt their case. If I get busted buying steroids from any source, there is no reason to open my records for the very same reason. It adds nothing to the case.

Talking to your doctor about your drug use is not going to land anyone in jail. Period.

I don't think talking to your doctor about steroid use will land you in jail either. But I didn't think that was the question at issue...

The "confidentiality" of the information shared with your doctor isn't as ironclad as you suggest. It doesn't even begin to approach the level of attorney-client privilege.

How "confidential" is the doctor-patient relationship?

Certainly, medical records are readily shared with insurance companies; of course, as you state, patients "voluntarily" give up this medical privacy in exchange for health/life insurance, etc.

Prescription records are by no means confidential as shown by the Signature Pharmacy investigation. The private prescription records of thousands of patients were seized by prosecutors and many shared with media. Whether they led to arrest of patients is irrelevant, the privacy and confidentiality of this info was breached.

I think it is very unlikely that info shared with your doctor about steroid use will lead to your arrest.

My comments are with regards to the confidentiality of the info.

I don't think one should ever withhold info about their drug use from their healthcare provider when it could clearly impact health/treatment. But I think it is inaccurate to assure people of complete confidentiality.