Hippa Law ?

[Jmacsx3]

What is the name of your state? NH

I recently was referred to a new doctor. I contacted the office and was advised to bring in my drivers license and ss card for copying. I am a little sensative about identity theft and told them the only id I would give them was my insurance card. Their response- give us the id's or you can not be treated by this office!

Apparently them are anticipating a bad debt. My insurance plan will pay the entire cost of my visit. My deductibles have been satisfied for this year, I have no co-insurance for this visit. I offered to pay the entire cost of the visit and deal with my insurance myself. They declined, no id's , do not bother comming.

Is there any thing in hippa or privacy laws to protect me?
Anyone have any ideas?What is the name of your state?

[ecmst12]

1. HIPAA

2. HIPAA does not apply here. It has nothing to do with what information they ask you to give them, only with what information they can share.

3. I have never in my life been asked for that kind of information from a doctor's office. I'd find another doctor to go to. They are allowed to ask for it legally, but if you're not comfortable, then don't get treated there.

[ShyCat]

You might consider that their request is protecting you from medical identity theft. Are you really who you say you are? Does your insurance card match your other ID? Lots of stories around about people being dunned for medical debts that are not theirs and being denied health insurance for pre-existing conditions they never had. It's a growing problem, and this doctor is apparently more aware of it than you.

[lealea1005]

If I can jump in here......our office, as well as other providers in our area, requires a photo ID along with an insurance card for the very reason ShyCat stated. Over the years, there have been more than a few people who tried to use the insurance coverage of other family members/friends/neighbors, etc. I've always been amazed at their chutzpah.

As for your SS#, many insurances will not process a claim without the subscriber's SS#.

It's not a HIPAA violation.

[cbg]

HIPAA limits the information about you that they can release. It has nothing whatever to do with what information they can require from you.

[ecmst12]

Originally Posted by lealea1005

If I can jump in here......our office, as well as other providers in our area, requires a photo ID along with an insurance card for the very reason ShyCat stated. Over the years, there have been more than a few people who tried to use the insurance coverage of other family members/friends/neighbors, etc. I've always been amazed at their chutzpah.

As for your SS#, many insurances will not process a claim without the subscriber's SS#.

It's not a HIPAA violation.

Photo id I could accept, and SS NUMBER is standard, but SS CARD? Which they want to photocopy and keep on file? Seems invasive to me. The only people who have ever asked me for that have been employers, for which it's required by law. My doctors have never, to my recollection, asked for my driver's license, only my insurance card. It would definitely inspire me to find a less paranoid doctor's office!

[lealea1005]

Originally Posted by ecmst12

Photo id I could accept, and SS NUMBER is standard, but SS CARD? Which they want to photocopy and keep on file? Seems invasive to me. The only people who have ever asked me for that have been employers, for which it's required by law. My doctors have never, to my recollection, asked for my driver's license, only my insurance card. It would definitely inspire me to find a less paranoid doctor's office!

I understand what you're saying, but it would be a shame to leave a great Physician because of an office policy beyond his/her control. We don't make copies of the actual SS card, but you'd be surprised at how many people do give the wrong # (intentionally or not). Then the claim gets rejected.
I don't think it's a matter of being paranoid as much as it has become an unfortunate necessity. We resisted copying licenses despite the recommendation of a major insurance carrier in our state, but after being scammed a couple of times, we began requiring photo ID from all new patients. It's common practice in our area.