Re: Health care

I don't know if you're aware of this, but HIP Health insurance uses the social security numbers of their members on their insurance cards as identification. The numbers are used in computer systems at doctor's offices as well as identifying information on charts. I can't understand how people allow their numbers to be used in such a way, and they should challenge HIP and others who do this.

A few months ago, I went to see an eye doctor. Upon filling out forms as a first time patient, I noticed a request for my social security number. I did not see a disclosure statement, so I left it blank. Not only that, but I was not applying for any benefits and saw no need to supply them with such information.

One of the staff members told me that I "must" give them my social security number or the doctor will not see me. I told her I would be happy to supply such information if she would kindly provide me with a disclosure statement informing me whether it was mandatory or voluntary, what will be done with the information and what law authorizes them to request my number. She had absolutely no knowledge of the law and I guess she didn't expect that I did either. I ended up seeing the doctor without providing my social security number because they knew they were not authorized by law to ask for my number.

I recently called a hospital to make an appointment for a sonogram and the woman on the phone asked "name, date of birth, social security number" People should beware of many health providers asking for their number.

"There is no prospect that today's younger workers will receive all the Social Security and Medicare benefits currently promised them." -- Dorcas
Hardy, former Social Security Commissioner and author of "Social Insecurity", quoted in the December 1995 Reader's Digest

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