Is this insurance fraud? Unethical or illegal?

[daisax]

The way this is presented by the OP, the dentist isn't even seeing the kids -- the friends just call up and place orders for what they want.

Doctor or dentist, that's just reckless. Frankly, I'd want a dentist with enough sense not to play russian roulette with her own license (not to mention the health of other people's children). You can bet the moment something backfires with the kids and medication the parents procured without an exam, those same parents are going to turn on her fast and say she should have known better.

 

[Mandyjg20]

I do not think I have ever heard of a 1 year old getting a z pack??

I think its unethical.

Also I would want my 1 year old child to be seen, examined, diagnosed then treated. Not dealt with as a guessing game. Is ashame ms bragger thinks saving a buck is better than making sure her baby is ok

 

[horseshowmom]

Not sure what state you are in, the Illinois State Dental Society says the paragraph below. I am sure there are similar rules in other states. Of course a dentist can easily say that an antibiotic is required for the dental work. Pain medications (controlled substances) are a different story. That's when most of the doctors get in trouble for prescribing too much.

"Prescription Writing Authority

Licensed dentists in Illinois may write prescriptions only in connection with dental-related ailments or conditions. To write a prescription for any other non-dental condition is a violation of the Illinois Dental Practice Act and may make the dentist liable for license sanction."

Agreed. I suspect this is the same in most states. Dentists only treat dental issues. Of course, antibiotics are sometimes required so they can write scripts for them, but that's not what's happening in this case. The dentist is taking a chance that I wouldn't take. If one of these people get mad at them for something, they could report her. Personally, I wouldn't take that chance, but people do it.

I don't really see how it's a problem. The dentist isn't giving them drugs under the table - she is writing prescriptions. Those drugs are running through her DEA number, so she is aware they can be traced back to her.

I am currently on antibiotics for an eye infection. My family Dr. authorized the meds over the phone - I didn't go in and pay for an office visit. I don't really see what difference it makes who writes the prescription. I have had the same med from the eye Dr. but this time it was easier to get ahold of my regular Dr. and have her call it in. My eye does this all the time, and the faster I can treat it the better the results

The difference, IMHO, is that the dentist isn't treating what the law authorizes them to treat - dental issues. In your case, both of your doctors are authorized to treat your issue so there's no problem there.

 

[LuvMickey36]

It's called "practicing out of the scope of their license" just my 2 cents

 

[Celidh]

[/B]

I'm finding those waits are not unique to Canada at all. My derm. is completely booked for the next 3 weeks for established patients. For new patients, it's a 5 week wait (at least). My internist has a 4 month wait for new patients. My GYN is also completely booked for the next 3 1/2 weeks. And I still have to pay! The only time I have not waited 2-3 weeks for a specialist was for my neurosurgeon and that was because my neurologist called him and told him it was urgent. With my neurologist, when I had to make my 3 month follow-up he was already almost completely booked. Apparently the fact that my docs. are so wonderful is not a secret around here!

It's horrible having to wait for doc appointments. The 2-3 week wait I was speaking of was just to see my family practitioner. I called last winter to get my daughter in to see my family doc because she had been throwing up on and off for a week. They told me it would be two weeks or I could be put on a wait list. I chose the wait list and never did hear from them. She did quit throwing up. (It wasn't alot, otherwise I would have chosen the 6 or 8 hour wait in the emergency room)

Around here, you are looking at at least a 6 month wait for any specialist but realistically more likely a year or more.

 

[midas]

The way this is presented by the OP, the dentist isn't even seeing the kids -- the friends just call up and place orders for what they want.

Doctor or dentist, that's just reckless. Frankly, I'd want a dentist with enough sense not to play russian roulette with her own license (not to mention the health of other people's children). You can bet the moment something backfires with the kids and medication the parents procured without an exam, those same parents are going to turn on her fast and say she should have known better.

And in some cases, the lawsuits will follow.

 

[3boymthr]

I'm not certain if it is merely unethical here or actually illegal, but I do know that a very close family member will NOT treat us, write scripts for us or take us on as patients. She in fact has been known to tell non family friends that she can be their practioner or their friend, but not both as it is a conflict of interest. Whether it is frowned upon or an actual law I am unsure. But I do know that I respect this persons work ethic and integrity.

The situation you are describing leaves a bad taste in my mouth regarding this dentist. You don't treat people with no knowledge of their history and certainly not sight unseen.

If it is illegal that would be a state regulation as it's definitely not illegal everywhere. I am seen and treated by my aunt. I will state however that she is not my primary but my OB/GYN.

 

[pigletto]

If it is illegal that would be a state regulation as it's definitely not illegal everywhere. I am seen and treated by my aunt. I will state however that she is not my primary but my OB/GYN.

I'm in Canada though. I know this family member has stated she will never do it, and I know her well enough to know that she feels it would compromise her position. I've never asked if that is only a matter of professional integrity or law, or both. I'm interested to know now.. I will ask her.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

My mom is an RN and she used to get prescriptions (always antibiotics) called in for my brother and I from the doctors that she worked with. That stopped when I was a teenager and I came down with a fever, sore throat, and nausea/vomiting. My mom called one of the doctors that she worked with (who was working at that moment) to get a script for antibiotics for strep throat. Two days later, I ended up in the ER on oxygen when I couldn't breathe.... turns out I had mono. The antibiotics didn't hurt (but didn't help, as mono is caused by a virus) but they did stop me from getting the treatment that I needed, until things had progressed until they were very severe. If I had seen a doctor for a diagnosis, they would have gotten me inhaler steroids to prevent my throat from swelling to the point where I needed to go to the ER.

After that, my mom stopped calling her doctor coworkers for scripts. It's not worth risking a misdiagnosis.