RALEIGH — North State Journal received information on Nov. 9 that Atrium Health’s CarolinaCare prescription service policy previously blocking parental access to their child’s drug prescriptions had been reversed – but there is a catch: the minor can still revoke access at will.
In a letter to subscriber members, CarolinaCare referenced the earlier policy blocking parental access and stated it was changing the policy back to its original status for 12 to 17-year-old minors.
“After considering feedback from members and consulting with our legal and compliance teams, we are pleased to announce we have restored the system to its prior state and implemented a proxy access procedure which allows us to remain in compliance with state law,” the notice reads. “Effective immediately, the insured teammate and their covered spouse may access prescription records and information and submit refills for all covered minor children, except for specific classifications of prescriptions specifically defined by North Carolina state law for adolescent patients.”
The notice went on to say, “Generally speaking, those prescriptions are for the treatment of certain types of reproductive health, communicable diseases (including sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and AIDS), substance abuse and behavioral health-related conditions.
The document directed subscribers to check with their own doctors or pharmacists to “determine if specific drugs prescribed for adolescents covered under your health plan are among those covered by the privacy shield law.”
The notice also contained a “Consent for Access acknowledgement form” that may be signed for “your adolescent may waive their statutory right to privacy when receiving these types of medications, allowing full access by permitted household users to the CarolinaCARE portal, including the ability to order refills online.”
The full notice including the form required for parents to complete in order to restore access to their child’s prescription information was sent to North State Journal by CarolinaCare. That form also allows minors the ability to block their parent’s access at will.
“Parent/guardian unrestricted access via CarolinaCARE can be revoked at any time by the Adolescent Patient,” the Consent for Full Access form states.
The section the child must sign gives the child a phone number they can call at any time to block their parent from accessing their account.
“I understand I can stop my parents/legal guardians and others who have access to view the CarolinaCARE account, collectively, from looking at this information at any time by revoking access by contacting 1-866-697-6800,” the form states.
The full notice and access forms sent to North State Journal can be accessed under the original article published on Nov. 9 on www.nsjonline.com.
