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I’ve lived in Arkansas for 8 months now and that means I’m due for every exam you can think of. Dentist, optometrist, ob/gyn and more. My entire adult life, I’ve been spoiled. Working in physician medical practices, I’ve always known who the good docs are. Let’s face it, all physicians are NOT created equal and just because you have the initials MD or DO after your name, does not mean you deserve them.
So today when the majority of my friends recommended a particular practice, I called to make my appointment. The first question out of the receptionists mouth was, “Your social security number.” Actually, it wasn’t a question, more of a statement. I balked at giving her this info and politely (at least I thought I was being polite) asked what they used this information for since it’s not required to process an insurance claim.
She told me that it was used as my unique patient identifier, to make sure that no one else used my account. I would have bought that excuse…if I didn’t know better. Since the enactment of HIPAA and all it’s “administrative simplification” rules (which I believe is an oxymoron) even insurance companies no longer require social security numbers to process claims nor do they use them as identification numbers on insurance cards. The practice of using a SSN for your unique identifier is antiquated.
Even large healthcare systems no longer require (they all seem to ask) social security numbers. I worked for the third largest public health care system in the US and there were other ways of ensuring you were who you said you were. It’s called technology and facilities need to invest in it.
I’ve had someone steal my debit card information and withdraw over $800 from my account. I’ve also had mysterious Netflix charges to my credit card. So it’s needless to say (the most overused term ever) that I’m cautious about the information that I give out. Especially when I receive a generic privacy notice telling me how they are going to protect my information.
To the physician practice that lost me as a patient, maybe it’s time to rethink your practices. Just because you’ve always done something doesn’t mean it’s right. If there is no true “need” for a certain information, why ask for it?
Does your physician’s office ask for your social security number? Do you provide them with it?
There are so many benefits to being “inside” of the medical world. My mother in law is a nurse and I’ve learned so much from her. I have no idea if i’ve provided my SSN to doctors offices, but I know i’ve never given it over the phone. But if it was on the sign up papers, I probably wouldn’t have even blinked as I would have assumed that it was required of them for some reason. Good to know that it’s not.
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I should probably write a series on the medical practices and how to navigate them because you’re right, there are benefits of knowing insider information. I’m now very selective with what I complete on registration forms. If it doesn’t seem necessary, I skip it.
Twitter: chascouponmom
says:
I love learning from fellow bloggers – I didn’t have a social security number when I first moved here and set up all my doctors appointments so they don’t have that info on me… I’ll have to remember that I still don’t need to give it to them…
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Twitter: rockinmama
says:
Honestly, I never remember that it’s not required. I always assume it’s mandatory. Strange they would ask for that kind of personal information
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Twitter: FabFindsbyNGxo
says:
I’ve never been asked for my SS#. Seems a little crazy that you were asked for yours. Thanks for sharing your experience with all of us.
Wow – thanks for the information! I probably wouldn’t have thought anything of it. I can’t think off the top of my head if I have or have not, but I am guessing that most likely I have and wouldn’t have thought twice about that for a doc’s office.
On a somewhat different related note, I am definitely protective of not giving out my phone number at the stores when purchasing something as they do not need that either (coupon excuse does not work as once upon a time ago when I did give it out, I never did receive a coupon from that well known chain). It sounds like I should apply that same principal with a simple phone number with my SSN. So – do doctor’s offices not need your SSN at all? Filling out forms? Not at all???
There is no need for it anymore. Sure, it can be used as an unique identifier but there are so many other ways to ensure you have the correct patient information without exposing yourself by divulging your SSN. One reason practices like to have SSN is for collection purposes. If your account happens to be turned over to a collection agency, it can be helpful.
Thanks for bringing this up– our office makes you sign a release not to give up the SS#– which is just about as stupid as asking for the SS#–but I’m not in management– so I try to over look the people who sign these stupid things– because giving up to much infor. is not always the best
You’re right, that is crazy! I’m better with policies that don’t make sense to me if the office explains why they need something. Seems like most policies are created from knee-jerk reactions.
Twitter: naptimeismytime
says:
I just skip over that question on the form. My insurance company doesn’t need it, why should an office?! And, how would they know if I provided a fake one or not?
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You’re exactly right! I think the next time I’m asked for mine I’m going to give 123-45-6789. We’ll see how that goes over.
wHATS A DOCTOR? I never get to go to one. no ins, no money.
I hate that for your Lisa. I won’t go into my soapbox on healthcare policy but I believe everyone needs access to medical care. My mom has insurance but it’s high deductible and co-insurance just so she can afford the monthly premiums. Some is better than none but I know she feels like she’s paying for nothing.
My daughter’s pediatrician’s office asked for it… and I refused to give it. They don’t need it, so they cannot have it. Needless to say (see, even I am overusing the phrase) the office staff wasn’t happy, but they gave her a patient identifier number, and we moved on.
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This office wouldn’t even let me schedule the appointment! If I had been in the office, I hopefully could have had an intelligent conversation with the practice manager about it.
Yah, that’s antiquated and dumb. Their loss!
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Twitter: amnichols
says:
I have never EVER been asked for my social security number at a physician’s or dentist’s office. This strikes me as odd and a little scary.
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I think every office I’ve ever been to has asked me. I’m seeing a new physician next month, let’s see if they want it too!