How would I go about finding out if it is legal for

a medical office to require new patients to provide their SS#s?

New York, Suffolk County... I've tried to google already but can't find any updated information.

Thanks!

etd: looking this up for a friend. Are there any county or state offices to call?

Message edited 1/10/2008 4:07:14 PM.

Re: How would I go about finding out if it is legal for

How can I protect my Social Security number?
You should treat your Social Security number as confidential information and avoid giving it out unnecessarily. You should keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers. Do not carry it with you unless you need to show it to an employer or service provider.

We do several things to protect your number from misuse. For example, we require and carefully inspect proof of identity from people who apply to replace lost or stolen Social Security cards, or for corrected cards. One reason we do this is to prevent people from fraudulently obtaining Social Security numbers to establish false identities. We maintain the privacy of Social Security records unless:

The law requires us to disclose information to another government agency; or
Your information is needed to conduct Social Security or other government health or welfare program business.
You should be very careful about sharing your number and card to protect against misuse of your number. Giving your number is voluntary even when you are asked for the number directly. If requested, you should ask:

Why your number is needed;
How your number will be used;
What happens if you refuse; and
What law requires you to give your number.
The answers to these questions can help you decide if you want to give your Social Security number. The decision is yours
Source

Re: How would I go about finding out if it is legal for

thanks Barb - I saw that, I was looking for something that either states YES, you can require it, or NO, you can't.
Too late to call SS now...

Re: How would I go about finding out if it is legal for

http://epic.org/privacy/ssn/

Re: How would I go about finding out if it is legal for

Wouldn't a SS# be required at a medical office for them to verify your health insurance? and if you don't have health insurance, wouldn't they need it to file a medicaid claim?

(just asking. what do I know! lol)

Re: How would I go about finding out if it is legal for

barb - your avatar pic is beautiful - how stunning!!!

Re: How would I go about finding out if it is legal for

Re: How would I go about finding out if it is legal for

I was always under the impression that they asked you for it for billing purposes.

That unpaid bills would go to a collection agency and eventually wind up on a credit report?

As if the dr. was extending a line of credit to you for his services because he doesn't know if 1. your check will clear or 2. if your health insurance will cover the service.

I could be completely wrong though.

Re: How would I go about finding out if it is legal for

Why wouldn't they be able to use it at a doctor's office, this is standard procedure when you register as a patient in the hospital It's used for billing purposes, its not written on the clinical chart except for maybe a facesheet.

Re: How would I go about finding out if it is legal for

This article states (among other interesting things) there are no laws prohibiting doctors from refusing to render services if a patient refuses to give his or her SS#: Who Can Ask for Your SS#? That article also states that your doctor may need your SS# legitimately if you have more than 1 insurance company covering you.

This article states your doctor doesn't need your SS# for insurance purposes unless you are on Medicaid or Medicare:

Guarding Your SS#

Re: How would I go about finding out if it is legal for

Re: How would I go about finding out if it is legal for

Re: How would I go about finding out if it is legal for

I have refused to give it to a dental office before.

A lot of insurance are now using a number and not your SS# on your insurance card. That's fot the purpose to stop SS fraud.

The office argued, called the office manager but I WON. They had my card copy. I had signed I was responsible financially in case the insurance would not pay. There was no reason to give them my SS.