Wellness

[Bri36]

My driver's license is on file.  When they pull up my chart online, they can see if the picture matches the person actually in the office.  I don't have a problem with that.  

[Carmie]

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@BalletBabe wrote:

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@Carmie wrote:

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@IMW wrote:

I would not answer those questions, I try not to give even my ss#.

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I only give out my last four numbers when asked for a SS number. xxx-xx-1234.  I 

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I did billing in a Dr's office and we needed the SS# to file a claim.  Unless your paying cash, how would they file your claims? We also copied the Drivers License and I know a lot of people did not like that.  

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My claims are filed by my ID number that is listed on my insurance card.  My insurance company does not use SS numbers.

I am retiree of the insurance company that I have my insurance with.  They stopped using SS numbers years ago as they were told that this would be phased out.

I read that the New Medicare cards will not list SS numbers either.  My DH just went on Medicare and he received a thin cheap paper card. He is supposed to get a new one this year that will not list his SS number.  The paper one has a SS number in it.

The drivers license is used to prevent fraud.  Many doctors also take your picture and it is on your electronic file.

[chessylady]

If you are concerned about privacy, you should also be aware that some of the companies that you give your DNA to so you will learn your ethnic history, sell that information without your knowledge. You have to read your contract with them very carefully.

[newagain888888]

You did the right thing by following your gut. Your thought process in denying ultra personal information was practical and you conducted yourself appropriately. Not only are they invasive questions and irrelevant to your care, they’re completely inappropriate. Even creepy. Something is very OFF in that office. The follow-up phone call would have been enough to have had me looking for a new doctor. We naturally assume professionals are always in the right and that often allows them to get away with inappropriate behavior. I worked in a hospital for quite a few years and could relay plenty of examples of that. There could be a very unseemly reason those questions are being asked. Frankly, I would be tempted to send a letter of complaint to the physician to let him know how offensive his questionaire was as well as to report the practice to the state medical board.

[newagain888888]

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@Laura14 wrote:

@Carmie  I am still trying to close my mouth!    

NONE of their business.  Attraction has nothing to do with actual behavior which means it has zero to do with your health and I just, I just can't even continue with my answer I am so horrified.  Good for you for saying no thank you!   

Now I probably would have made up an entire menagerie in my bed every night complete with multiple partners and species just to see if their "system" would accept my answers. But that's me.   

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OK, you are hilarious and gave me the best laugh I’ve had all week! By all means, I’m all for turning the tables on them as you suggested. I also empathize with your reaction of being so horrified, it was hard for you to even answer. Anyone with boundaries or any sense of modesty would feel the same. 

[Carmie]

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@newagain888888 wrote:

You did the right thing by following your gut. Your thought process in denying ultra personal information was practical and you conducted yourself appropriately. Not only are they invasive questions and irrelevant to your care, they’re completely inappropriate. Even creepy. Something is very OFF in that office. The follow-up phone call would have been enough to have had me looking for a new doctor. We naturally assume professionals are always in the right and that often allows them to get away with inappropriate behavior. I worked in a hospital for quite a few years and could relay plenty of examples of that. There could be a very unseemly reason those questions are being asked. Frankly, I would be tempted to send a letter of complaint to the physician to let him know how offensive his questionaire was as well as to report the practice to the state medical board.

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I am not a person who thinks doctors are above me or that everything they do is correct. I have several family members who are doctors and medical providers.  I wouldn’t go to some of them even if I was dying. 

I believe that I am the employer and the doctor is my employee.  I hire the doctor to take care of my needs.  If I don’t like their work, I fire them and move on.

i liked the doctor and didn’t really mind the questions, though I don’t understand why they were asked. But, the follow up call was creepy.  I think maybe they are gathering info for something else like a survey or something.

Anyhow, I have decided to let the doctor know that I did not appreciate the follow up call for nonsense reasons. 

The last time I had a GYN exam was ten years ago.  I am not a fan of doctors to begin with.  I am POA for two older woman and take them to the doctors and hospitals and often I have to sign for their medical care.  Sometimes I stand firm and give them a difficult time if I don’t trust or like their treatment plans.  They don’t like it, but too bad. I know for a fact that my medical decisions saved the life of two people, one was my son. I fought the doctor because she was wrong.  My son almost bled to death because of her.  I had no problem going above her head or reporting her.  

I always follow my intuition.  Most of the time, I am right, but if not, at least I tried to do the right thing.

[Bri36]

I needed to get a referral to a derm for a mole check.  I have so many on my back - all sun damage.  When I called my PCP's office, they told me they couldn't give me the referral over the phone because I hadn't seen him in over a year.  I wasn't thrilled about making an appt just to get a referral, but I didn't want to make a stink about it.  

Anyway, my regular PCP was on vacation; and they told me if I wanted to come in today, I could see someone else.  I had never seen this particular doctor, but I only needed the referral so I didn't mind.

The nurse said to put a gown on in case he wanted to look at my back.  The doctor came in and asked me what was going on.  I told him I needed the referral for a mole check.   There was one I was a little worried about.  He said he could do the full-body mole check.  I said no, I'd rather go to the dermatologist in case anything needed to be removed while I was there.  He kept insisted on doing a full-body check and even specifically asked to see my chest - he repeated this several times.  I bluntly told him I just needed the referral and felt more comfortable with the dermatologist doing it.  

I couldn't wait to get out of there.  He just gave me the creeps.  As soon as I got home, I called and spoke to someone about what he did.

I imagine he did this with a lot of women.  I received a letter a few months later that he was no longer associated with the practice.

If ever I feel uncomfortable with a situation, I make it known.  Otherwise, nothing will ever be done about it.

[Kachina624]

@Carmie. Good for you for sticking to your guns!  I'd classify questions like you describe as being purely nosy and not health-related.  I'm uncomfortable just reading them, let alone answering.

[Kachina624]

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@QueenDanceALot wrote:

I doubt that I'd even see a doctor who asked questions like this.

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@Carmie  I'd be willing to bet the doctor has no idea those questions are on his form.  The only possibility for them being there is that someone is working on a research project. @QueenDanceALot. 

[SilleeMee]

If any of your medical and/or personal information is going to be used for research or case study then whoever is doing that is lawfully required to inform you of the nature of their intent. I know this is true because I have been involved in many medical research investigations. Full disclosure is the law when it comes to using medical info and consent from those providing their info has to be given beforehand, usually by your signature on a dotted line.