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Discussion » Questions » Life and Society » My insurance company just transferred my prescriptions to Amazon Pharmacy. Should I be uncomfortable that Amazon has my health information?
Jane S

My insurance company just transferred my prescriptions to Amazon Pharmacy. Should I be uncomfortable that Amazon has my health information?

This is not a question about my insurance company changing the mail order pharmacy - that is normal procedure for this company. I am aware it can happen and it has happened several times in the past. I am concerned about Amazon having even more information about me than they already have.

Posted - January 29, 2023
Tags : None

Responses


  • 53526

     

      Yes, I believe so, especially if the switch was both previously unannounced to you and completely unexpected by you.
    ~

      January 29, 2023 10:29 AM MST
    4

  • 11092
    That's not the issue. The mail order pharmacy can and often does, change each year. My question was whether Amazon is starting to gather too much personal information. 
      January 29, 2023 2:55 PM MST
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  • 53526

     

      Yes, I believe it’s worthy of concern.
    ~

      January 29, 2023 6:50 PM MST
    2

  • 11092
    Thank you. 
      January 29, 2023 7:18 PM MST
    3

  • 7795
    I'm with Amazon Pharmacy and they are pretty good. They handle 15 of my prescriptions and privacy well enough. This post was edited by Zack at April 8, 2023 12:19 PM MDT
      January 29, 2023 10:55 AM MST
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  • 17614
    Great, but that isn't the point.  
      January 29, 2023 1:08 PM MST
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  • 11092
    Privacy is pretty much the point.
      January 29, 2023 2:57 PM MST
    3

  • 11092
    Thanks, that's good too hear. I just don't want to start getting offers targeted at people with my conditions. 
      January 29, 2023 2:57 PM MST
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  • 17614
    I would be, but read the paperwork you got when you subscribed to your current company.  There may be a release to provide your information and assign provision of services to third parties.   As a matter of propriety I feel like you should have been notified, even if you could not disallow the change.   

      January 29, 2023 1:24 PM MST
    3

  • 11092
    I was notified and the mail order pharmacy often changes at the beginning of the year. I just was not expecting it to be Amazon.
      January 29, 2023 3:00 PM MST
    2

  • 34449
    I would not be comfortable with Amazon handling my meds. 
      January 29, 2023 2:12 PM MST
    4

  • 11092
    Thank you. Me either.
      January 29, 2023 3:00 PM MST
    2

  • 1817
    you've prob already been chipped so it doesn't matter anyway
      February 1, 2023 11:50 PM MST
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  • 34449
    Not me. 
      February 2, 2023 7:42 AM MST
    1

  • 11092
    True
      April 8, 2023 1:43 PM MDT
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  • 844
    Amazon is not my concern right now (insurance wise). I'm a retired civil servant and my health insurance changes occasionally based on the state's contracts. It's quite comprehensive coverage, so that's not a problem. It's the intrusiveness of Aetna in my everyday life that irritates me.

    Once or twice a month, I get a notice of 6-8 pages (printed on both sides) for me to verify the accuracy of what they paid out recently. The items listed can be parts of doctor, procedures, or lab visits that I made months ago mixed with more recent medical expenses.

    Then last week, I received two mailings that included a large folder filled with "life style" advice to manage my diabetes. Now, I have MANY conditions under observation or treatment, but diabetes is not one of them. Just this past week, I've been to three doctors and one lab visit and not one mentioned anything about diabetes. In fact none of my many medical specialists ever have. 

    I was angry enough to call Aetna and tell them to STOP IT. I've got enough to worry about without them "butting in".

    Sorry, when I saw this topic it all came flooding back. I feel better now!
      April 8, 2023 8:19 AM MDT
    1

  • 3907
    Hello Jane:

    With a location devise in your pocket (your smart phone), a presence in your living room (Alexa), a propensity to use Google, you already shop at Amazon, plus there's a camera on every street corner and in every store you shop at, your privacy went out the window long ago. 

    excon
      April 8, 2023 11:55 AM MDT
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  • 11092
    I agree that privacy is an illusion. 
      April 8, 2023 1:44 PM MDT
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  • 53526

     

      But restraining orders help to protect you in many ways, correct? (Grrrrrrr.)



    ~

      April 8, 2023 5:41 PM MDT
    1

  • 3907
    Hello again, Jane:

    All pharmacies are federally licensed and regulated.  Unless you know something about Amazons pharmacy, then your exposure is the same no matter where you get your drugs..  If you want absolute privacy, take a vacation to Mexico where they don't care who you are when you buy drugs.

    The tradeoff is you're not protected by the FDA.  Do I believe Mexican drugs are adulterated?  No.  But.....

    excon This post was edited by excon at April 10, 2023 5:48 AM MDT
      April 9, 2023 7:43 AM MDT
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  • 11092
    Thanks you. This is helpful. I think I'll stick with Amazon instead of Mexico.  :)
      April 9, 2023 8:17 AM MDT
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  • 3830
    For what it's worth, I take three prescription meds.  The most expensive one was costing me over $400 a month.  Someone who used to post on here sent me the name of a reputable Canadian pharmacy and I now get a three-month supply of the exact same drug for $450 -plus $10 shipping. It comes in the same exact packaging as I would get in the US by the same manufacturer.  The other two prescriptions have also gone up in price so I now get all three from Canada.
      April 9, 2023 10:01 AM MDT
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  • 11092
    Thanks,  I'll keep that in mind. So far, my costs have been fairly low, but things change all the time.
      April 9, 2023 10:10 AM MDT
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  • 3907
    Hello again, J:

    Oh, they're manufactured in the same factories where US drugs are made, only they're a 10th the cost..  If you take 15 different drugs, for the same price you pay here, you could buy a 90 day supply in Mexico, and enjoy a couple weeks in Cancun.   

    excon This post was edited by excon at April 10, 2023 5:49 AM MDT
      April 9, 2023 9:40 AM MDT
    1