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I usually don't give medical providers my social security number. It's on all their forms, but I just skip that section and no one has ever come back to clarify

I usually don't give medical providers my social security number. It's on all their forms, but I just skip that section and no one has ever come back to clarify that it's required. I have no idea if they can require it or not, but I always assumed it was optional because they wouldn't turn away foreigners without SSNs.

oftenwrong 7y ago
Additionally, some American citizens do not have a Social Security number. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Security_number#Non-universal_status https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Security_number#Non-uni... Bear in mind this fact when working on systems that make use of SSNs.
ceejayoz 7y ago
Refusing to give your SSN doesn't prevent things from showing up on your credit report. https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/accounts-may-be-reported-even-without-social-security-number/ https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/accounts-may-be-... > Experian doesn't match information to a person's credit history using only the Social Security number. Experian matches information using all of the identification information provided by the lender, so the account will be accurately shown in your report, even if no Social Security number is provided.
- mayneack 7y ago
  I guess that makes sense. I have been doing it just because I figure it's an easy way to limit my potential data breach exposure. Didn't know about this medical credit score thing.
nitwit005 7y ago
It's common for people to not give SSN, but they don't need it. A name and date of birth is enough to match you to existing records the overwhelming majority of the time. Phone, address, insurance, and so forth, resolves the majority of what remains. Usually the only time they'll fail to ID you is when you show up to the front desk with no identification and lie about your personal details, which I don't particularly recommend doing.

oftenwrong 7y ago

Additionally, some American citizens do not have a Social Security number. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Security_number#Non-universal_status https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Security_number#Non-uni... Bear in mind this fact when working on systems that make use of SSNs.

ceejayoz 7y ago

Refusing to give your SSN doesn't prevent things from showing up on your credit report. https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/accounts-may-be-reported-even-without-social-security-number/ https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/accounts-may-be-... > Experian doesn't match information to a person's credit history using only the Social Security number. Experian matches information using all of the identification information provided by the lender, so the account will be accurately shown in your report, even if no Social Security number is provided.

mayneack 7y ago
I guess that makes sense. I have been doing it just because I figure it's an easy way to limit my potential data breach exposure. Didn't know about this medical credit score thing.

nitwit005 7y ago

It's common for people to not give SSN, but they don't need it. A name and date of birth is enough to match you to existing records the overwhelming majority of the time. Phone, address, insurance, and so forth, resolves the majority of what remains. Usually the only time they'll fail to ID you is when you show up to the front desk with no identification and lie about your personal details, which I don't particularly recommend doing.