Honest question from a non-physician that mostly just lurks around here.
How many of your practices have policies that require a patient to either provide a SSN or a cash deposit before seeing that patient? Or no SSN, no visit? I encountered this (with the cash deposit option) when making an appointment today and was a bit appalled. The doctor's office can call and confirm insurance coverage the day of the visit and collect copay upfront. Why the additional requirement for either cash or a SSN? Quite honestly, it feels like a slap in the face to this victim of identity theft (whose information was most likely stolen from a previous medical provider).
Is this becoming the new standard? It was annoying enough when offices started transitioning from requiring co-pay when you leave to requiring it before you even go in to see anyone. But requiring a freaking deposit or the disclosure of personal information the office DOES NOT NEED to file an insurance claim? Is the financial relationship between patient and doctor really deteriorating to a level where this is necessary?
How many of your practices have policies that require a patient to either provide a SSN or a cash deposit before seeing that patient? Or no SSN, no visit? I encountered this (with the cash deposit option) when making an appointment today and was a bit appalled. The doctor's office can call and confirm insurance coverage the day of the visit and collect copay upfront. Why the additional requirement for either cash or a SSN? Quite honestly, it feels like a slap in the face to this victim of identity theft (whose information was most likely stolen from a previous medical provider).
Is this becoming the new standard? It was annoying enough when offices started transitioning from requiring co-pay when you leave to requiring it before you even go in to see anyone. But requiring a freaking deposit or the disclosure of personal information the office DOES NOT NEED to file an insurance claim? Is the financial relationship between patient and doctor really deteriorating to a level where this is necessary?
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