6379667Do your patient intake forms still ask for a patient’s social security number (SSN)?

Why? You don’t really need it.

I know, you’re thinking, “But we’ve always asked for a patient’s SSN! The insurance company requires it!”

Not true.

If you look at the data in an electronic claim file, you will not find the patient’s SSN unless that is the actual number used for the insurance ID number. However, most insurance companies have phased out using the subscriber’s SSN as the insurance ID number.

If your software has an entry field for SSN, the program will simply store the data and report it where it’s instructed: on an in-house practice report, but not in the claim file or on the printed CMS-1500 claim form.

So, while having the SSN might be helpful – if your office has to pursue collections or help verify eligibility if there is a problem with an insurance ID number – it’s not necessary.

Frankly, in this age of identity theft and the potential for data breaches, it’s worth thinking about whether you should even possess this type of information in the first place. Ask yourself:

  1. What am I going to do with a social security number?
  2. How often have I really had to use a social security number to track down a patient?
  3. Can I protect this valuable information from theft by an individual in the office, or by an electronic hacking attack?

If you really don’t need it, and if you can’t protect it, eliminate SSN from your forms. Or, you could request it, but if the patient refuses, then don’t worry about it.

Running a medical practice is hard enough, you don’t need any more complications.