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I’ve had the same doctor for about 11 years, so maybe things are done differently now.
I just called to make an appointment as a new patient with a doctor (whose office is with other doctors).
I was told that a different doctor would have to approve of the doctor I wanted (just a PCP), and that he would have to take down some information to do a background check.
Okay, stop. The. Bus.
I said, “No, wait a minute. The doctor I want to see has to have permission from another doctor to see me?”
Answer: “Yes, then he will do a background check and we will call you with an appointment time. So, can I get your information?”
Me: “Why do you need a background check? That sounds as if you need to know if I’m a felon or don’t pay my bills.” (At this point, I was thinking that I was misunderstanding the term and that they used the words ‘background check’ to mean something else.)
Answer: “Well, it’s more for controlled substances. Can I get your information?”
Me: “No, I have more questions. So, I take 2 prescriptions. I don’t take street drugs. So where does put me? “
Answer: “I’m sure there won’t be an issue. Can I get your information?”
Me: “No. I’m no longer interested. I can’t deal with this.”
Tell me. Am I completely out-of-touch? Is this the new “normal”?
I’ve had the same doctor for about 11 years, so maybe things are done differently now.
I just called to make an appointment as a new patient with a doctor (whose office is with other doctors).
I was told that a different doctor would have to approve of the doctor I wanted (just a PCP), and that he would have to take down some information to do a background check.
Okay, stop. The. Bus.
I said, “No, wait a minute. The doctor I want to see has to have permission from another doctor to see me?”
Answer: “Yes, then he will do a background check and we will call you with an appointment time. So, can I get your information?”
Me: “Why do you need a background check? That sounds as if you need to know if I’m a felon or don’t pay my bills.” (At this point, I was thinking that I was misunderstanding the term and that they used the words ‘background check’ to mean something else.)
Answer: “Well, it’s more for controlled substances. Can I get your information?”
Me: “No, I have more questions. So, I take 2 prescriptions. I don’t take street drugs. So where does put me? “
Answer: “I’m sure there won’t be an issue. Can I get your information?”
Me: “No. I’m no longer interested. I can’t deal with this.”
Tell me. Am I completely out-of-touch? Is this the new “normal”?
Wow! havent heard that one before. A new office always wants your ins cards and license( which I object to) but I havent encountered any backgrd check nonsense!
Wow! havent heard that one before. A new office always wants your ins cards and license( which I object to) but I havent encountered any backgrd check nonsense!
They want to know about the health…..of your health insurance first.
The weird thing that happened to me was wanting to go to a particular gastroenterologist, and when I stopped in to make an appointment I wasn't asked if I had a referral. I was told that if I had ever gone to any other gastroenterologist in my current state, that she wouldn't accept me as a patient.
Wow! havent heard that one before. A new office always wants your ins cards and license( which I object to) but I havent encountered any backgrd check nonsense!
Me either.
BTW, I posted soon after the conversation. What I wrote is as word-for-word as I can be without having recorded it. If there was any miscommunication it would have been that the other person doesn’t know the meaning of the words “permission” or “background check”.
I made a new-patient appointment with an ophthalmologist (my insurance considers a specialist) a couple of weeks ago and was only asked my name, phone number and insurance info.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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I currently see the doctors below on a regular basis. All were referred from one another, as needed due to my various ailments. None has ever needed a background check. Same with dental, I was just referred to an Oral Surgeon, just the usual questionnaire on health background and medications taken.
General Practitioner
Oncologist
Urologist
Nephrologist
Vascular Surgeon
Front office staff in medical offices are often incompetent and a source of misinformation.
They were most likely not supposed to tell you about the "background check". And definitely not that they are checking for controlled substance abuse.
The doctor will have access to your electronic medical records and if they do a thorough review (which they probably won't, but will charge extra for a new patient visit) they will know more about you than you might know yourself.
To do that they just need your name, date of birth, address and possibly your SS#.
Many medical providers also do a credit check that specifically checks past medical bill payment history and while they are not supposed to refuse patients based on credit worthiness, it probably does happen.
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