Do you worry about, or refuse, giving drivers lic. and/or SSN info to dentists or doc

[battlemaiden]

I'm filling out my huge pile of paperwork prior to taking *all* the kids to the dentist tomorrow.

 

I just don't see why they need my driver's lic #. And if my insurance information is up to date- they check it prior to service- then why do I have to put my SSN in several places on these crapola forms?

 

Do you ever refuse? Just wondering.

 

Jo

[Stacia]

I don't put that info on there. I quit doing it years ago when identity theft became more common.

 

I just leave it blank. So far, nobody has ever even questioned me about it.

 

And, I hate filling out forms, so I leave as much blank as possible, lol. ;)

[Jumping In Puddles]

I always leave it blank and NOT ONCE has anyone asked me about it.

[AndyJoy]

My dh NEVER gives out his SSN and is rarely questioned. When he is, he informs them of the laws protecting him from having to give it. Check out this article for some good information. http://www.komonews.com/news/archive/4003541.html

[Pajama Mama]

I always leave it blank and NOT ONCE has anyone asked me about it.

 

Really? My son is having surgery for TMJ. When we were at the specialist's office the receptionist said she needed my son's SSN for the appointment. I could maybe understand needing dh's # since the insurance is through his work. I did not know my son's SSN. The receptionist called me at home the next day for his #. Maybe it's because he's having surgery?

[Perry]

I never give that information out. The only time I had a problem was when I was trying to rent a musical instrument. He refused to rent it to me without the SSN. I offered him a large deposit instead and he backed down.

 

I always leave it blank on medical forms. No one has ever commented.

[brehon]

I'm filling out my huge pile of paperwork prior to taking *all* the kids to the dentist tomorrow.

 

Uggh! Dentist visit...with all the kids...I feel for you.

 

I just don't see why they need my driver's lic #. And if my insurance information is up to date- they check it prior to service- then why do I have to put my SSN in several places on these crapola forms?

 

They don't (need your DL) and putting your SSN in myriad places on various forms (when it's already in their computer...somewhere) is simply a convienence for them.

 

Do you ever refuse? Just wondering.

 

All. The. Time. And I've never had a problem with anyone.

 

Jo

 

Good Luck.

[KidsHappen]

I just don't put them. If anyone ever asks, I just tell them that we don't give out that information.

[Tutor]

I just don't see why they need my driver's lic #. And if my insurance information is up to date- they check it prior to service- then why do I have to put my SSN in several places on these crapola forms?

 

Do you ever refuse? Just wondering.

 

Jo

 

My doctor's office told me that the inf is required by their collection agency so they can track us down if we become delinquent in our payments! :glare: I told them that because of identity theft I was going to refuse to give that information and that I was pretty sure the Social Security Administration advised against giving out my SSN to anyone but a government agency. I was also in a bit of a snarky mood, so I told them that if they could not trust me to honor my end of our agreement by paying them in a timely manner, then maybe I couldn't trust them to honor their end of the agreement by providing quality health care. Fortunately the receptionist was very understanding of my frustration (and patient with my snarkiness) and just took the forms without the SSN info on them. :)

[Tap]

I don't fill out SSNs, Drivers Licence numbers, or Emergency Contacts (if ther is an emergency at the dentist call 911 not my husband, :confused:). They really only want it for any future collections action anyways.

 

The only time I have ever used the kids SSNs at a doctor, was at a pediatric specialist who absolutely refused care unless you provided it. I am sure they wanted it for collections too, but I was stuck. I wish now I would have just made up a phony number :tongue_smilie: and given them that. That was back in my 'rule following' days.

[eaglei]

Really? My son is having surgery for TMJ. When we were at the specialist's office the receptionist said she needed my son's SSN for the appointment. I could maybe understand needing dh's # since the insurance is through his work. I did not know my son's SSN. The receptionist called me at home the next day for his #. Maybe it's because he's having surgery?

 

We don't give this info out. I picked your quote because you mentioned your son's surgery. My ds is a two-time cancer survivor (currently undergoing treatment for the relapse). He's had several surgeries or procedures and many-many chemo treatments, as well as times of being in-patient. When asked for his SSN for billing purposes, we refused. They either put his birthdate in that slot, or a "default" number, or left it blank. They did tell us that when he's 18, he'd have to give the SSN . . .

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Your social and dh's social is on the military id card you're presenting to demonstrate coverage. Generally they make a photo copy of that anyway, so it's not like they aren't going to be able to track you down if you still owe them something (like the enormous tax on all those appointments that you will have to pay out of pocket).

 

And there is no way that I'd give them my driver's license number.

 

To be honest, depending on my mood (and if I was pre or post novacaine), I would quiz them on what safeguards they have in place to protect my ssn and other personal info from being used to commit fraud. I went around and around with the HI Boy Scout council because I didn't want to give an SSN and then questioned what they did with it and then caused a big fuss because no one at the council could actually tell me what their policy for ssn's was. I kept at them until they could produce a (newly written) official policy.

 

There are too many places that use ssn that really aren't entitled to them. It is easier for them. And you run the risk that they will eventually refuse service, but occasionally I do like to just make a point.

[Zoo Keeper]

We don't give our numbers out either---way too many chances for those numbers to be abused the more they are out there. One secretary for the dr.'s office did call me up and try to give me grief, but I just refused. Three times! She finally decided that it would be o.k. if she just used a different number for their office filing system. Glad to have her blessing on safeguarding my family.:blink:

[Jumping In Puddles]

Really? My son is having surgery for TMJ. When we were at the specialist's office the receptionist said she needed my son's SSN for the appointment. I could maybe understand needing dh's # since the insurance is through his work. I did not know my son's SSN. The receptionist called me at home the next day for his #. Maybe it's because he's having surgery?

 

I don't know, but my dd had a tooth removed (teeter totter accident :() and as usual, on the dental form I left off ss # and dl # and they never asked. They also required payment up front, so there would be no collection possibility.

 

My ds was at our new dentist today (the doctor yanked out his baby tooth! ouch!!! the grown up tooth was behind it) and on the generic form, I left that info out and I thought that if they asked, I was going to make up a dl and ss # for him. They didn't ask for it.

[Kalypso]

My dh actually had a dr.'s office refuse to let him keep his appt. when he wouldn't let them make a copy of his DL. We were amazed.

[Heather in Savannah]

When I came to the US from Canada, I was astounded at the number of times my SSN was requested....non of those times by government agencies. In Canada we do not give out our Social to anyone other than government agencies or your employer....the employer needs your social so that the tax deducted from your pay goes to your Social contributions statement. It is only used for taxation or Pension purposes.

I agree with you all, that the greater the number of places who hold your Social, the greater the chance of identity theft. I would refuse to give it!

[stripe]

I too think it is for collections purposes. I don't have my kids' SS#s memorized, so if someone asks me at the doctor's office, well, good luck...I have stopped giving it out, and no one even seems to look at the forms anyhow so I don't know why I'm asked. I was asked when making an appt at a university hospital, and I got to thinking that I didn't like it, so I called back and a couple ladies worked on it to give me an alternate number.

[sandellie4]

I tried to refuse with a doctor's office one time, but I was told that the number was required to be able to get insurance payment. Does anyone know, is that true? Sandy

[Penelope]

I tried to refuse with a doctor's office one time, but I was told that the number was required to be able to get insurance payment. Does anyone know, is that true? Sandy

 

I think many insurance companies will ask what the SS# is of the primary cardholder, as a security measure for their end. That is what we have been told over the last few years by different doctors, that they do not need the numbers of me or the kids, only DH's because he is the one through which we have the insurance, and they need his # to bill the insurance co. This was also true when I went to the hospital and had the babies.

[MyThreeSons]

No one ever says anything.

[EKS]

I don't give my SSN to anyone (except the IRS) anymore.