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confabulatrix t1_j269qqp wrote

FYI when dentists and doctors ask for my SSN I just tell them no. They don’t insist. It’s really just so they can track you down if you owe them money.

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red7standinby t1_j26cmrc wrote

1000% this. SSNs are for opening up new lines of credit and banking. Nobody else needs my SSN and just because there is a spot on the form doesn't mean you have to fill it out.

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prophywife t1_j2b0in0 wrote

Technically, billing your insurance is extending you a credit. You had a procedure done and the insurance will not pay for it for a few weeks or longer.

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Annabel398 t1_j27gr6a wrote

Endorsed. Doctors don’t need your SSN. I leave it blank. If they ask, I’m ready to parry with a question about their filing security (we’re talking paper here!)—but tbh, nobody has ever pushed back.

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danielfletcher t1_j26d0zs wrote

And if you owe them money, they will get your SSN anyhow. Even back in 2003 when I was the office manager of a collections agency it was easy to get SSNs when doing skip tracing. Cost a dollar a piece when running 25 at a time. Even cheaper now.

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prophywife t1_j2b0cc3 wrote

If someone refuses to give me their social security number, I will not extend the courtesy of billing their insurance for them. Instead, they can pay up front and submit the claim on their own. Nearly 5000 patients, no one has refused to give it.

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