I have a medical condition that requires a certain drug that I would not want to be made public. My private paperwork was given to a complete stranger.. when I called them they could print me a duplicate. That doesn't undo the damage. And to make matters worse, I received the other patients paperwork, which indicated that he had severe Schizophrenia. A fact I'm sure he would not want to be made public... I only read it because it was stapled to paperwork the pharmacist handed me. This happened just days ago... It was at a Costco pharmacy..

Is it a HIPAA violation? Most definitely. Would Costco be warned and perhaps receive a fine? Definitely warned.

Could you "gain" anything from reporting them to HIPAA? No.

If you have been damaged, emotionally, monetarily, and you can PROVE it, consult with an Attorney and see what he/she advises.

These things are always very upsetting but usually there is very little recourse.

Did you report this to the Costco District Manager?

Let us be clear, your "private papers" was the name and prescription for the medication you take. It will not tell the exact illness but merely could show some of the many things the drug is used for.

It is a violation of course, but most likely they did not even read it and just threw it away ( the thing 99.9 percent of people do with the papers stapled to their medication bag)

I am sure they will receive a warning, and perhaps show their employees did extra training.

Of course it was accidental, not a willing event

You all must be Lawyers... All protecting each other because of those extra classes you take that warn you against taking any action against other lawyers or insurance companies if you want a career. Those companies are all made up of lawyers and actuaries (fantasy writers) and of course the mandatory Business course, (yea, pretend it doesn't exist.) "how to maximize profits". This is more than upsetting, and I will quote you as saying I should seek an attorney. The problem is you scumbags want $300.00 just to sit in your waiting room for an hour, then 30 minutes of BS that you charge an hour for... Want to represent me? I'll give you the usual quart of blood and my first born.. Oops.. forgot she's an MD... I'm sure your advice would be useless ubless you can see a profit angle...

You all must be Lawyers... All protecting each other because of those extra classes you take that warn you against taking any action against other lawyers or insurance companies if you want a career. Those companies are all made up of lawyers and actuaries (fantasy writers) and of course the mandatory Business course, (yea, pretend it doesn't exist.) "how to maximize profits". This is more than upsetting, and I will quote you as saying I should seek an attorney. The problem is you scumbags want $300.00 just to sit in your waiting room for an hour, then 30 minutes of BS that you charge an hour for... Want to represent me? I'll give you the usual quart of blood and my first born.. Oops.. forgot she's an MD... I'm sure your advice would be useless ubless you can see a profit angle...

Your rant was totally and completely unnecessarily RUDE! Judy was on your side and advised to to seek legal counsel. We are not lawyers, nor are we doctors here. We are ordinary citizens with experience on our side, and a few of us have education in our chosen expertise. We volunteer our time here and don't get paid one red cent for answering questions.

You owe JudyKayTee one big apology for being so rude!

A few lawyers around, but most lawyers are wonderful people who work hard to help people.

And sorry but attorneys like a plumber has to be paid.
If you have a water leak and need a plumber to come out, he is not going to come out and talk to you about your leak without a service call.

Ask your barber even if he will sit and talk to you a hour about your hair without being paid?

And you know the cost of law school -

And the cost to run a office

Rent, cost of secretary ( a legal one at that)
Malpractice insurance, bar fees, cost for the computer programs that have and provide many of the forms used.

The time for legal research and more.

I would agree with OP - rather than pay for the services of an Attorney he/she should (A) pick a Court; (B) pick a cause of action; (C) make up damages; (D) figure out how to word the Summons and Complaint; (E) figure out who/how to serve; (F) prepare to present his/her case AND defend the counterclaim (because I'm sure there's going to be one for something or other).

Oh, I left out the part about being prepared to discuss IN OPEN COURT the secret affliction which requires him/her to take medication.

Did I leave anything out?

Boy do you have a chip on your shoulder. Your response was totally out of line and not even accurate.

Let's be clear about this. You came here asking a question. You got accurate advice in response to that question. You were not charged for that advice. Instead of thanking the people who donated their time and expertise to give that advice, you attack them.

The fact is that there is a law known as HIPAA that requires medical care providers to not reveal personal info to a 3rd party without permission. This is the law that covers your situation. Clearly that law was violated. The problem is that the provisions of that law does not provide recompense for the victim. It only provides for punitive action against the violator.

In your original post you really didn't ask a question. You simply reported what happened to you. In response you were told what you can do and what would happen. I really don't know what more you wanted or expected. But your reaction was totally uncalled for.