Part I: Violation of Pharmacist Guideline

“Most Medicare Prescription Drug Plans have a coverage gap (which is also called the “donut hole”). This means there is a temporary limit on what the drug plan will cover for drugs.” Click here to review and analyze additional information on coverage gap.

Now, analyze the following scenario.

A pharmacist submits Medicare claims for brand name medication instead of following the guidelines to provide the patients with the less expensive, generic medicines.

Respond to the following:

• Which law, if any, is violated by the pharmacist?
• By using the Internet, research and provide a similar real-life example.

Justify your answers with appropriate research and reasoning by using examples and references from textbooks, the South University Online Library, and other acceptable references. Cite sources in the APA format. Further, comment on the postings of at least two peers.

Part II: Breach of Contract

A contract consists of a voluntary agreement that two parties enter into with the intent of benefitting each other (Fremgen, 2012). Something of value, which is termed consideration, is part of the agreement (Fremgen, 2012). A contract can be either expressed or implied. An express contract is an agreement that clearly states all the terms. It can be entered into orally or in writing (Fremgen, 2012).

A breach of contract occurs when either party fails to comply with the terms of the agreement (Fremgen, 2012). For example, if a physician refuses to perform a medical procedure he or she had agreed to perform, the physician has breached the contract (Fremgen, 2012). If a patient does not pay an agreed-upon fee, then the patient breached the contract with the physician (Fremgen, 2012).

Now, respond to the following questions:

• Find out your state’s current court decisions for breach of contract and provide an example of breach of contract affecting a hospital.
• Review and describe the state’s methodology for addressing issues pertaining to such a breach of contract.
• Describe how legal procedures have evolved over time to help reduce such occurrences.
• Describe how the breach of contract you identified could have been avoided.

Justify your answers with appropriate research and reasoning by using examples cite sources in your work please as well as on the apa reference page.

Littleton, V., Meemon, N., Breen, G-M., Seblega, B. et al. (2010, Spr.). An ethical analysis of professional codes in health and medical care. Ethics & Medicine, 26(1), 25-49.

Merril Pauls, Andrew McRae, Sam G Campbell, Paul Dungey. (2004). Ethics in the trenches: Part 2. Case studies of ethical challenges in emergency medicine. CJEM : Journal of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians, 6(5), 363-6.

Mitnick, S., Leffler, C., & Hood, V. L. (2010). Family caregivers, patients and physicians: Ethical guidance to optimize relationships. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 25(3), 255-60. doi

Nayeri, N. D., & Aghajani, M. (2010). Patients” privacy and satisfaction in the emergency department: A descriptive analytical study. Nursing Ethics, 17(2), 167-77. doi:

Sansom, D. (2013). Codes of ethics in health care: Virtues versus rules. Ethics & Medicine: An International Journal of Bioethics, 29(2), 95-108.

Windish, Donna M,M.D., M.P.H., & Ratanawongsa, N. (2008). Providers’ perceptions of relationships and professional roles when caring for patients who leave the hospital against medical advice. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 23(10), 1698-707. doi:

Privacy & Confidentiality

Privacy and Confidentiality issues arise in a wide range of contexts and scenarios. After reading the background materials and conducting individual research of the literature, discuss how health care workers can best reconcile their obligation to protect patient privacy and maintain confidentiality in light of criminal activity by the patient.

You may use the following as a springboard to further research:

Merril Pauls, Andrew McRae, Sam G Campbell, Paul Dungey. (2004). Ethics in the trenches: Part 2. Case studies of ethical challenges in emergency medicine. CJEM : Journal of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians, 6(5), 363-6.

Assignment Expectations

Tasks:

1. Define the debate over the ethical issue of patient privacy and confidentiality including the role of competing rights held by the patient and by the community.
2. Discuss applicable ethical theories and principles
3. Limit your response to a maximum of three pages, not including title and reference pages.
4. Please support your discussions with scholarly support (3-5 references). Be sure to properly cite all references.
5. Be sure to apply citical thinking skills within your discussions and response to the case study assignment. I will grade your paper on your ability to address the assignment criteria listed above with depth and breadth of discussion. I will also critique your writing format (i.e. proper reference citations, spacing, etc.)