Why Does My Doctor or Hospital Need My Social Secu

Why Does My Doctor or Hospital Need My Social Security Number?

By Trisha Torrey, About.com Guide

published by 26, 2011

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Question: Why Does My Doctor or Hospital Need My Social Security Number?
From identity theft, to the FTC's Red Flags Rule and debt collection, here are some of the reasons your doctor, hospital or other health care provider may ask you to provide or confirm your social security number.
Answer:

There seem to be at least four reasons why patients are being asked for the social security numbers:
1. The FTC's Red Flags Rule

In an effort to curb identity theft, and realizing that health insurance information is a big target for identity thieves, the Federal Trade Commission in 2007 unveiled what they call the Red Flags Rule." The Red Flags Rule requires all creditors, including certain health care entities, to collect social security numbers as proof the patient is the person he or she says they are. If patients do not have the required documentation, that raises a red flag.

According to the FTC, these entities must have policies and measures in place to prevent identity theft, in this case, medical identity theft. There seems to be no requirement that any patient who does not have that proof be later identified to the government.

While the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association and many doctors have rallied against the requirement for health care providers to comply with this rule, some health care professionals have instead embraced it. In many cases those medical professionals who support the rules have lost