Doctor-Patient Confidentiality?

[lovesmurfs]

Having a picture in my file actually helped me at my OB-GYN office a few weeks ago. Apparently, they pulled the wrong file (same name) and the receptionist noticed that I'm not the person they thought I was. Saved a lot of hassle later on.

 

[robinb]

I just read up on the Red Flag Rules here: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/idtheft/bus23.pdf . Certain companies are required to implement plans to verify the identity of their customers. It does appear that some medical professionals are included. While it is clear that they must verify your identity, there is NO requirement for copying or keeping that information in their system. It is simply the way that the individual practices have chosen to implement their Red Flags Rules program. So ... at first blush it seems that one would be required to provide an ID but the company is NOT required to copy or keep that information. I don't mind showing my ID (maybe I'll start carrying my passport and throw them for a loop ) but I do object to them scanning it or taking my photo.

 

[SanFranciscan]

I haven't read all of the responses here and have to get moving, but I will tell you one thing. I don't have the luxury of pitying the receptionist. How many of her sick or potentially very sick patients would she trade places with? I have also noticed that people who will treat their nurses like waitresses and real waitresses like slaves suddenly get meek around medical receptionists.

I also have a response to anyone who thinks that you can protect yourself by having ever more information filed about you. Your identity has already been stolen. The song that says "Secret agent man, they've given you a number and taken away your name" was probably pretty shocking when it was recorded. I am sure that anyone who said back then that every citizen in this country, including newborns, would now just be a number would have been dismissed as a paranoid idiot at that time. Now those of us who will not passively endure every new invasion are treated as paranoid. Think about that. Think hard before you type your response.

 

[SanFranciscan]

It seems it may have been poorly handled. It should be explained to you why it is being done, both verbally and orally. To just proceed to do it without explaining will put anyone on the defensive.

Thank you. I am really sick of having people bark orders at me and using the "Just doing my job" excuse. If I went in there and just insisted upon taking the staff's pictures to make sure that my payments were going to people who were who they said they were, what would their reaction be? I am sure it would be to call the police!

 

[allison443]

I haven't read all of the responses here and have to get moving, but I will tell you one thing. I don't have the luxury of pitying the receptionist. How many of her sick or potentially very sick patients would she trade places with? I have also noticed that people who will treat their nurses like waitresses and real waitresses like slaves suddenly get meek around medical receptionists.

I also have a response to anyone who thinks that you can protect yourself by having ever more information filed about you. Your identity has already been stolen. The song that says "Secret agent man, they've given you a number and taken away your name" was probably pretty shocking when it was recorded. I am sure that anyone who said back then that every citizen in this country, including newborns, would now just be a number would have been dismissed as a paranoid idiot at that time. Now those of us who will not passively endure every new invasion are treated as paranoid. Think about that. Think hard before you type your response.

Did you ever tell us if you allowed your picture to be taken? Did you have your appointment that day or did you leave because of this issue? Did you speak to the office manager or the doctor about this, or did you just yell at the receptionist? Give us information, not song lyrics!!

 

[Mickey Fliers]

I haven't read all of the responses here and have to get moving, but I will tell you one thing. I don't have the luxury of pitying the receptionist. How many of her sick or potentially very sick patients would she trade places with? I have also noticed that people who will treat their nurses like waitresses and real waitresses like slaves suddenly get meek around medical receptionists.

I also have a response to anyone who thinks that you can protect yourself by having ever more information filed about you. Your identity has already been stolen. The song that says "Secret agent man, they've given you a number and taken away your name" was probably pretty shocking when it was recorded. I am sure that anyone who said back then that every citizen in this country, including newborns, would now just be a number would have been dismissed as a paranoid idiot at that time. Now those of us who will not passively endure every new invasion are treated as paranoid. Think about that. Think hard before you type your response.

What??

Personally, my days are a whole lot more productive when I am not looking around every corner for a conspiracy theory. YMMV.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Thank you. I am really sick of having people bark orders at me and using the "Just doing my job" excuse. If I went in there and just insisted upon taking the staff's pictures to make sure that my payments were going to people who were who they said they were, what would their reaction be? I am sure it would be to call the police!

In your original post, you were looking for a fight IMHO.

This has nothing to do with Govt intrusion, but your attitude in dealing with anything that is remotely uncomfortable or inappropriate in your mind.

I have situations where I am very restrictive on what I do and won't do it unless I know the ins and outs as to why.

But I've never bitten anyone's head off and used conspiracy theories as my justification that they deserved it.

I don't care how sick you are--you didn't have a right to be nasty to anyone.

People think their conditions give them just cause to be mean and then wonder why people become unsympathetic to what may be a very valid argument.

 

[allison443]

As for being rude..."while she was aggressive about money, even though I have been paying every month". Seriously not cool of her since you are making those payments. My mom would have lost it about that, too. Especially after an appt where you've likely been poked and prodded and who knows what...just not the best time to have that conversation (before the appt would be better).

From the OP it sounds like this confrontation took place before the appointment, not after..they asked for OP's insurance card, that's usually when you "sign in" when you arrive, right? So OP doesn't even have the excuse that she had been "poked and prodded".

 

[Pakey]

Having spent the last 5 weeks neck deep in a huge insurance fraud investigation here at my company, I'm happy to hear about these changes.

 

[Abbie]

I haven't read all of the responses here and have to get moving, but I will tell you one thing. I don't have the luxury of pitying the receptionist. How many of her sick or potentially very sick patients would she trade places with? I have also noticed that people who will treat their nurses like waitresses and real waitresses like slaves suddenly get meek around medical receptionists.

Huh? I've been a medical receptionist for nearly 10 years. Do you really think I've never been sick in that time? I have a much higher risk of GETTING sick from our patients and it doesn't stop me from being compassionate and kind to anyone who walks in our door. I feel terrible when someone is really sick. And in my experience, the patients who I guess are rude to waitresses really don't suddenly become meek in my presence!

 

[PatsMom]

My doctor's office hasn't started taking pictures yet but I am sure it is just a matter of time since the group has computerized all their records. If it is like our client relationship software, you can store the picture in your database and it comes up when you access the client record.

Sounds like the OP was looking for a fight. I have a new sympathy for all medical administrators since my niece became a registrar at a hospital. Some of the stories she tells about patient conduct are just incredible! They take out all their hostility on the person just filling in the paperwork and doing their job according to the rules.

 

[princess momma]

With all the extremely personal information contained in a medical record, I find it kind of funny that a person wouldn't want their picture put in it. A picture is nothing compared to some of the info I've read in patients charts.

OP, I have no idea what your problem is. Your latest post is just as confusing as the first.

 

[Disnydad]

We visited our local urgent care facility this week and had to present a photo ID. They said it was a new Federal rule.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

Our doctor requires proof of address due to identity theft. I have no idea if people are just randomly showing up at doc offices and stealing health benefits but anything crazy is possible in this country.

The kids dentist takes pics for each file but the doctor doesn't.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I haven't read all of the responses here and have to get moving, but I will tell you one thing. I don't have the luxury of pitying the receptionist. How many of her sick or potentially very sick patients would she trade places with? I have also noticed that people who will treat their nurses like waitresses and real waitresses like slaves suddenly get meek around medical receptionists.

I also have a response to anyone who thinks that you can protect yourself by having ever more information filed about you. Your identity has already been stolen. The song that says "Secret agent man, they've given you a number and taken away your name" was probably pretty shocking when it was recorded. I am sure that anyone who said back then that every citizen in this country, including newborns, would now just be a number would have been dismissed as a paranoid idiot at that time. Now those of us who will not passively endure every new invasion are treated as paranoid. Think about that. Think hard before you type your response.

Hmmm. Persoanlly I have never seen people get "meek" around medical receptionists. I am not sure where you are seeing this. Nor did I see anyone on this thread suggest you should pity the receptionist (those many seem to pity her having to deal with a patient who apparently came in being antagonistic)--only that you should treat her with the same respect due to anyone you come in contact with. It is not her fault you are sick; in fact she is there risking getting ill herself to help patients (yes it is her job and she is paid--but she is willing to do this job when many are not).

As far as the privacy thing--I agree it is worriesome that we all must have a number in the USA now and must regitser for so many things. That fact will not change because your photo is on file for your doctor to see who you are. As you stated, your doctor already had your SS# and DL# so no the only thing new is a photo--in this case it does seem to add more benefit than risk. If you were truly concerned the proper thing to do would be to RESPCTFULLY refuse at that time (knowing it could delay your appointment) and ask who sets the policy and set up a meeting with that person to air your concerns.

 

[C.Ann]

The reason, if I am not mistaken is so that they can attach a picture of the patient with the patient records to provide a better quality of care. You become a person with a name, rather than just a name and a number.

Imagine if you had short meetings with dozens of people a day and you took copious noted of those meetings. Then weeks later, one of those people calls you and asks you about the meeting. Just referring to the notes, you may not remember the person, or for that matter, anything else from the meeting that wasn't in the notes. With a picture, they can remember much, much more. There is no invasion of privacy. And is covered under HIPPA.

As for asking for ID, I've been going to the same small office for 7 years and I still have to show my ID and insurance card every time I come in. It is their duty to insure no one is masquerading as you in order to illegally obtain prescriptions or to double dip on insurance.

I'm assuming the patient had a driver's license with a photo on it.. Why not just scan that?

I understand the whole insurance fraud thing, but if you have already provided them with several forms of indentification - one which includes your photo - I guess I don't see the need for yet another photo..

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm assuming the patient had a driver's license with a photo on it.. Why not just scan that?

I understand the whole insurance fraud thing, but if you have already provided them with several forms of indentification - one which includes your photo - I guess I don't see the need for yet another photo..

True enough and OP could have kindly refused and suggested that alternative.

Instead she decided to go on a tirade.

Noone is objecting to her objection--but rather the manner in which she objected. The folks who are saying why the photo was needed--was just offering up legitimate reasons for the photo.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I'm assuming the patient had a driver's license with a photo on it.. Why not just scan that?

I understand the whole insurance fraud thing, but if you have already provided them with several forms of indentification - one which includes your photo - I guess I don't see the need for yet another photo..

I think much of the new software that doctors are using for patient files has a place to add a photo and it may be much easier to have a photo direclty downloaded into that spot than to scan something else and then add it in (and if you scanned the entire DL and tried to add it into the photo area the actual photo you would have of the person might be too small to really see). However, I agree with the pp that if the OP was truly opposed to this she should have politely refused and found another way. First would be to poltiely ask why the photo was needed--perhaps if that was explained (for any of the reasons various people on this thread have given) she wouldn't have minded.

 

[englishteacha]

I had my photo taken once for a doctor...they said it was so they knew they were treating the right person. (I believe it was my surgeon last year when I had my gall bladder out, but I'm not sure. I saw a lot of doctors last year.)

 

[OceanAnnie]

I'm assuming the patient had a driver's license with a photo on it.. Why not just scan that?

I understand the whole insurance fraud thing, but if you have already provided them with several forms of indentification - one which includes your photo - I guess I don't see the need for yet another photo..

That's how I see it. It made sense to ask for the drivers license. It has all the pertinent information on there and a photo id. Match it up and call it a day.