Dentist asks for SSN and driver's license number. Why?

[Rich]

I had an appointment with a new dentist this morning so I had to fill out all sorts of paperwork - contact info, insurance, health history, etc. In all that stuff, they had a place for me to fill in my driver's license number and SSN, which I left blank. I handed in the paperwork to the receptionist and she didn't say anything; I went in for my appointment and nobody said anything about it during or afterward either.

I just don't hand over that stuff unless the person asking is a cop or someone who needs my SSN for tax reasons (IRS, employer, etc.). There's too much risk in having that data all over the place (especially when the dentist in question is using machines still running Win XP, from what I observed). Here's a headline from just yesterday:

Hospital network hacked, 4.5 million records stolen - Aug. 18, 2014

Now, this new dentist and his staff seem like really nice people and all, but if a huge hospital network lost all those records, it seems to me like a local practitioner would be easy pickings, if not as desirable a target.

What in the wide, wide world of sports would be a reason that a dentist needs those two pieces of information? Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Deus Vult]

to check your credit to see if you have the ability to pay for that $1200 root canal.

personally i was way more concerned when i woke up with my pants around my ankles. What kind of dentist are you?

 

[PraXis]

I'm not surprised with all the unnecessary/excessive data mining. It does not stop at information like your SSN (why the dentist needs it... fvck if I know?). Regular doctors are asking about whether you own guns or not now.

The data mining never stops. That's why I do the same thing you did. I don't give them that kind of SSN info. I wouldn't even give that # to a cop.

 

[Rich]

lol, Fenn!

Well, he already has my insurance info and I'd be happy to pay the deductible before I leave the office if he would prefer, but I'm still not giving up that info. My mechanic performs work on my car before getting paid without a credit check... then again, the mechanic could probably hold my car until I pay up, the dentist not so much with my teeth.

 

[LowThudd]

lol, Fenn!

Well, he already has my insurance info and I'd be happy to pay the deductible before I leave the office if he would prefer, but I'm still not giving up that info. My mechanic performs work on my car before getting paid without a credit check... then again, the mechanic could probably hold my car until I pay up, the dentist not so much with my teeth.

Lot's of deadbeats get work done, then walk out.What can they do? Physically keep you there? It makes sense, unfortunately, in this day and age.

 

[Howard2k]

 

[Rich]

Lot's of deadbeats get work done, then walk out.What can they do? Physically keep you there? It makes sense, unfortunately, in this day and age.

I can understand that, but I'm still not risking it - that's their problem, not mine. I wouldn't mind giving them a credit card number to keep on file though; if that gets stolen, I'm liable for only $50 tops and my bank is really good at keeping on top of what they suspect could be fraudulent charges. But, if someone nabs my SSN and DL number, I could be screwed big time.

 

[Tone deaf]

The staff in places like that think that I'm a little overzealous in guarding my data. If they persist, I tell them I will gladly pay cash...to another doctor and prepare to leave.

 

[cybermgk]

Well the SSN is actually for your protection. It is used to verify you are you, when it comes to medical and HIPAA controlled data. Its too protect your info from being given out to anyone but you. You likely won't be able to get your own information over the phone now, without a way to validate your identity to them.

The Drivers license, not so sure about. But Dental records ARE used for identification of bodies and remains. There may be a db for that.

 

[James Carney]

Billing reasons, duh.
Why do you need a SSN to rent a place? So they know who to send the debt collectors after.

 

[Rich]

Well the SSN is actually for your protection. It is used to verify you are you, when it comes to medical and HIPAA controlled data. Its too protect your info from being given out to anyone but you. You likely won't be able to get your own information over the phone now, without a way to validate your identity to them.

The Drivers license, not so sure about. But Dental records ARE used for identification of bodies and remains. There may be a db for that.

I'm fine with that, but there are other ways to figure out I am who I say I am and my my new dentist's office is only a three minute drive from where I live. But, rather than use my SSN number, why not ask for my dental insurance participant ID number instead if I want to request records over the phone? SSN and DL# are just too sensitive to be throwing out all over the place.

 

[Rich]

Billing reasons, duh.
Why do you need a SSN to rent a place? So they know who to send the debt collectors after.

For a credit check, not for debt collection. I was fine with that years ago, but not anymore - anyone who I give over my SSN to has to have a damned good reason to ask for it.

 

[cybermgk]

I'm fine with that, but there are other ways to figure out I am who I say I am and my my new dentist's office is only a three minute drive from where I live. But, rather than use my SSN number, why not ask for my dental insurance participant ID number instead if I want to request records over the phone? SSN and DL# are just too sensitive to be throwing out all over the place.

because of those, only the SSN won't change over time. And DL#, assuming it is NOT your SSN such as many states used to do, really can't be used for much by itself. You can't get another one issued with just the number. Can't use it for a lot, without the actual card, really.

Its also to verify your you in person as well. Lots of medical providers are now taking pics of you to make sure your not someone else posing as the person (i.e. for drug seeking scams etc).

 

[Rich]

because of those, only the SSN won't change over time. And DL#, assuming it is NOT your SSN such as many states used to do, really can't be used for much by itself. You can't get another one issued with just the number. Can't use it for a lot, without the actual card, really.

True.

 

[Bigfoot410]

Eye doctor did that to me a few years ago. He spun around and said I could no longer drive without billion dollar corrective lenses and he just sent the info to the vehicle license people and the eyeglass cops or sumpin.
I coulda kicked him in the nuts!

 

[X–Ray]

Social for HIPAA

DL# - don't know, that's weird

Why not call up his office and ask?

 

[Hairless_Ape]

Anybody who asks for my social that IMO doesn't need it (fvck you Comcast) get's told "I don't have one, I'm not a US citizen." Trying to figure out what to do from there melts their little data entry brains half the time.

 

[Rich]

Social for HIPPA

DL# - don't know, that's weird

Why not call up his office and ask?

I thought of asking, but then I figured that if I asked that I'd get a hassle so I let it be.

 

[X–Ray]

I thought of asking, but then I figured that if I asked that I'd get a hassle so I let it be.

PM his number if you want...

I'm curious

 

[Rich]

I'm just going to leave it alone; if he calls and asks for that info, I'll questions him as to why but, in the mean time, it's one less database where that data is stored.