Regarding your SSN

[FQ fan]

I work in hospital billing. While I understand that some people do not want to give their SSN, the system will not change until: a) more people refuse to give it, or b) the insurance companies stop asking for it. I have personally never encountered any person unwilling to give their SSN in 10 years of medical billing/medical reception. If there is no resistance to the way that the system works, it will not change.

 

[Nancy F]

I work in hospital billing. While I understand that some people do not want to give thier SSN, the system will not change until: a) more people refuse to give it, or b) the insurance companies stop asking for it. I have personally never encountered any person unwilling to give their SSN in 10 years of medical billing/medical reception. If there is no resistance to the way that the system works, it will not change.

It's the Insurance companies' fault. If they didn't make it so darn hard to get paid after a Drs' office has serviced the patient...

How would people feel if after working all day their boss found a loophole not to pay them? That's what a lot of insurance companies do. It's a real PITA to get the patient to pay after the fact when their insurance company denies the bill.

 

[Poohbear5]

We started with a new dentist and refused to list it. They even asked for our checking account number!
We have great insurance (go by a member number, not SS#) so they accepted us as patients anyway.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I work in a hospital in self pay services and if I have screened you and your are eligible for our services, I must have your SSN or I cannot file for help. I file for Medicaid, SSI and/or Social Security Disability benefits. SSA cannot and will not start a claim without a SSN.

If you don't cooperate with me, you don't get a discount or charity write-off.

Suzanne

 

[angwill]

I work in a hospital in self pay services and if I have screened you and your are eligible for our services, I must have your SSN or I cannot file for help. I file for Medicaid, SSI and/or Social Security Disability benefits. SSA cannot and will not start a claim without a SSN.

If you don't cooperate with me, you don't get a discount or charity write-off.

Suzanne

Asking for charity services that are run through the government is a completely different thing than giving it to your doctors office. As long as the doctor/hospital has a copy of your insurance card that should be enough. If the insurance gives a hard time about the SSN then the office should call the patient and let them call the agent they spoke to at the insurance company and let the patient talk to them.

I do wonder how a doctors office can insist for a patient that is cash only no insurance.

 

[RachaelA]

I know someone already brought up the collections process which is so much easier with a social.

I work in collections (law firm that deals with collections). That being said even without a social I can probably find your social (for the collection process) in 10 seconds if I know your name and your address (even former addresses).

 

[Tink-aholic]

I do wonder how a doctors office can insist for a patient that is cash only no insurance.

Easy. The patient pays for the services before crossing the threshold to see the doctor. Same for surgeries. The doctor has a business to run, and cannot do that if he isn't being paid.

It is interesting to me that people seem to think it is okay to pay a little amount on medical bills every month, even if the doctor truly helped them. Yet those same people wouldn't consider going to the grocery store, filling up the cart, and walking out the door without paying for them on the spot. Medical care is no different.

 

[sjs314]

My last visit to my primary care Dr when checking in they asked for my SS card I have been going to this particular office for at least 4 years, then I had to go to the Hospital yesterday for a ultra sound and the paper there wanted my ss #

Honestly I did not think twice about giving it to either place

 

[angwill]

Easy. The patient pays for the services before crossing the threshold to see the doctor. Same for surgeries. The doctor has a business to run, and cannot do that if he isn't being paid.

It is interesting to me that people seem to think it is okay to pay a little amount on medical bills every month, even if the doctor truly helped them. Yet those same people wouldn't consider going to the grocery store, filling up the cart, and walking out the door without paying for them on the spot. Medical care is no different.

I think you misunderstood me. If a patient that is cash only and pays up front why the need for a social security.

Nobody said anything about only paying the doctor a little bit at a time so don't get bent.

 

[aaarcher86]

I know someone already brought up the collections process which is so much easier with a social.

I work in collections (law firm that deals with collections). That being said even without a social I can probably find your social (for the collection process) in 10 seconds if I know your name and your address (even former addresses).

I was actually getting ready to say the same thing lol.

Just because they don't have your social does not mean they can't report on your credit, or that it can't be found.

 

[Muushka]

I know someone already brought up the collections process which is so much easier with a social.

I work in collections (law firm that deals with collections). That being said even without a social I can probably find your social (for the collection process) in 10 seconds if I know your name and your address (even former addresses).

I was actually getting ready to say the same thing lol.

Just because they don't have your social does not mean they can't report on your credit, or that it can't be found.

You have both said the exact reason why I refuse to give my SSN.
And that is why I have no problem giving an ID with current address.

 

[here757]

I am another who never puts it on the form. I leave it blank and I have never been questioned about it. If it were insisted upon I would put a fake number.

I may trust the doctor but do I trust the rotating staff. NO

ARE YOU SERIOUS???

be very careful with the fake ss number thing.. the number u use might belong to someone eles.. and that is called identity theift..

i would press charges for that...

 

[NYCDiane]

They want it in case they have to sue you to recoup money that the insurance company wouldn't pay and you refuse to pay. They sue you, win, and can find your bank accts, etc through your SSN --- then they will get a freeze on your bank accts or garnish your salary. (I used to work in collections).

All they need from you is your insurance card and your driver license (to ensure the correct person is getting the services). Other than that, they need NOTHING.

 

[NYCDiane]

I was actually getting ready to say the same thing lol.

Just because they don't have your social does not mean they can't report on your credit, or that it can't be found.

They can absolutely report it to all 3 credit bureaus. All they really need to report is your name and any other names you've used, any addresses you've used, or any phone numbers you've used.

 

[here757]

some people might not realise this...

lets say you owe me money for services..say i did on your lawn.. u decide not to pay me.
i can go downtown and file a warrant of debt. it becomes a court case.. if i win then i get a judgement...

if i have your ss number i can go to the irs. and file a claim on ur tax return..all i would have to do is submit a copy of the judgement. you dont see a return til the judgement is payed in full. even it it takes years.

same with bank account numbers.. if i have the bank account number i can submit a copy of the judgement and freeze your accounts.. all of the account your name is on..
that would include . ur and ur spouses. if you and your kids have accounts, any business accounts you hold.

in VA they passed a law.. cant use the SS number for identity purposes at all.

 

[angwill]

ARE YOU SERIOUS???

be very careful with the fake ss number thing.. the number u use might belong to someone eles.. and that is called identity theift..

i would press charges for that...

Yes, I am serious but in actuality I have never had anyone insist that I put it down. 123-45-6789 would work good.

Unless I used your social security number there would be no way you could press charges so good luck with that.

 

[angwill]

It seems that some people feel those who are not comfortable giving out there SSN don't want to because they think they can not pay their bills and be caught.

The reason I and I believe a lot here are saying they are not comfortable putting down their SSN is because we don't want someone stealing it and using our number. The less people who have the number the less likely it is to be stolen. This is not to get away without paying a bill or being sent to collections or whatever else this is being blown out of proportion to mean when it isn't what we are talking about.

PS. Collection agencies being able to get SSN from just a name and address is one way that SSN get stolen by the collectors themselves. Years ago I worked in the office of a collection agency and about 5 of the guys in collections made a habit of stealing SSN and having credit cards sent to friends houses for a fee. Then they would charge those up till they were declined. They knew what jobs could not be varified and went with that. The management were aware of it and did nothing about it.

 

[mrodgers]

We get hearing tests done annually at work by an outside company. On the form, they asked for SS#. I told the girl who was sitting next to me filling hers out that I'll put my name as Adam and 000-00-0001 if she'll put her name as Eve and 000-00-0002.

 

[Planogirl]

What's interesting are those people who call the credit bureaus and then refuse to give their social security number. The person at the credit bureau can see the full number on the credit report but they won't give it out to a voice over the phone. It often needs to be verified though so you end up with a stalemate.

There is discussion of no longer requiring social security numbers on credit reports but it's mind-boggling to think of how often the wrong info will end up on credit reports if that happens. If you think it's bad now...

 

[malibuconlee]

I worked in Medical Records at a hospital. Lots of times when looking up old records it was much easier to type in the SSN to locate a patient. Especially women who change names.

I remember when I got my DL it was still standard to use your SSN as your DL number!