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Do medical professionals have the right to ask...

K

Kelli

New member
This seems to happen all the time to me, anytime I go in for anything medical I show them my insurance and Medicare card. SO many people have asked me "What is that for or Why do you have that?" (except for CF clinic, they know, obviously).

Do they have the right to ask that?

For example at the OBGYN I showed my card to them and get "Well, why do you have THAT?" Same thing at the chiropractor. I think it also goes back to not looking like a CF'er (like that matters), but I think people are curious WHY I have Medicare. Sometimes they say it when I show them my card, sometimes they will look thru my chart & then ask.

How do you handle this and what do you say? I'm always dumb-founded when they ask that out of the blue. And do they have the right to know? I can understand the receptionist needing to know to process the claim but the NURSES?

Kelli
30 f CF
 
K

Kelli

New member
This seems to happen all the time to me, anytime I go in for anything medical I show them my insurance and Medicare card. SO many people have asked me "What is that for or Why do you have that?" (except for CF clinic, they know, obviously).

Do they have the right to ask that?

For example at the OBGYN I showed my card to them and get "Well, why do you have THAT?" Same thing at the chiropractor. I think it also goes back to not looking like a CF'er (like that matters), but I think people are curious WHY I have Medicare. Sometimes they say it when I show them my card, sometimes they will look thru my chart & then ask.

How do you handle this and what do you say? I'm always dumb-founded when they ask that out of the blue. And do they have the right to know? I can understand the receptionist needing to know to process the claim but the NURSES?

Kelli
30 f CF
 
K

Kelli

New member
This seems to happen all the time to me, anytime I go in for anything medical I show them my insurance and Medicare card. SO many people have asked me "What is that for or Why do you have that?" (except for CF clinic, they know, obviously).

Do they have the right to ask that?

For example at the OBGYN I showed my card to them and get "Well, why do you have THAT?" Same thing at the chiropractor. I think it also goes back to not looking like a CF'er (like that matters), but I think people are curious WHY I have Medicare. Sometimes they say it when I show them my card, sometimes they will look thru my chart & then ask.

How do you handle this and what do you say? I'm always dumb-founded when they ask that out of the blue. And do they have the right to know? I can understand the receptionist needing to know to process the claim but the NURSES?

Kelli
30 f CF
 
K

Kelli

New member
This seems to happen all the time to me, anytime I go in for anything medical I show them my insurance and Medicare card. SO many people have asked me "What is that for or Why do you have that?" (except for CF clinic, they know, obviously).

Do they have the right to ask that?

For example at the OBGYN I showed my card to them and get "Well, why do you have THAT?" Same thing at the chiropractor. I think it also goes back to not looking like a CF'er (like that matters), but I think people are curious WHY I have Medicare. Sometimes they say it when I show them my card, sometimes they will look thru my chart & then ask.

How do you handle this and what do you say? I'm always dumb-founded when they ask that out of the blue. And do they have the right to know? I can understand the receptionist needing to know to process the claim but the NURSES?

Kelli
30 f CF
 
K

Kelli

New member
This seems to happen all the time to me, anytime I go in for anything medical I show them my insurance and Medicare card. SO many people have asked me "What is that for or Why do you have that?" (except for CF clinic, they know, obviously).
<br />
<br />Do they have the right to ask that?
<br />
<br />For example at the OBGYN I showed my card to them and get "Well, why do you have THAT?" Same thing at the chiropractor. I think it also goes back to not looking like a CF'er (like that matters), but I think people are curious WHY I have Medicare. Sometimes they say it when I show them my card, sometimes they will look thru my chart & then ask.
<br />
<br />How do you handle this and what do you say? I'm always dumb-founded when they ask that out of the blue. And do they have the right to know? I can understand the receptionist needing to know to process the claim but the NURSES?
<br />
<br />Kelli
<br />30 f CF
<br />
 
J

JazzysMom

New member
This is an interesting point....

Often I am sure its because we dont look "disabled" which is, of course, why we would have a Medicare Card at a younger age. BUT if they are just being noisy/curious then I would say NO they dont have a right to ask.

HOWEVER if they are asking because the "cause" of the disability needs to be known for proper care since not knowing the reason could potentially make them liable should they do something wrong they I can see why asking is needed.

A GYN could/should/would need to know because if you are on antiobiotics that are causing havic or you have severe mucous issues down there etc. My chiropractor wants to know because certain meds he said requires him to treat me in a different way then normally.

No ?? that sometimes it doesnt need to be discusssed, but just wanted to point out that there can be valid reasons for them asking.
 
J

JazzysMom

New member
This is an interesting point....

Often I am sure its because we dont look "disabled" which is, of course, why we would have a Medicare Card at a younger age. BUT if they are just being noisy/curious then I would say NO they dont have a right to ask.

HOWEVER if they are asking because the "cause" of the disability needs to be known for proper care since not knowing the reason could potentially make them liable should they do something wrong they I can see why asking is needed.

A GYN could/should/would need to know because if you are on antiobiotics that are causing havic or you have severe mucous issues down there etc. My chiropractor wants to know because certain meds he said requires him to treat me in a different way then normally.

No ?? that sometimes it doesnt need to be discusssed, but just wanted to point out that there can be valid reasons for them asking.
 
J

JazzysMom

New member
This is an interesting point....

Often I am sure its because we dont look "disabled" which is, of course, why we would have a Medicare Card at a younger age. BUT if they are just being noisy/curious then I would say NO they dont have a right to ask.

HOWEVER if they are asking because the "cause" of the disability needs to be known for proper care since not knowing the reason could potentially make them liable should they do something wrong they I can see why asking is needed.

A GYN could/should/would need to know because if you are on antiobiotics that are causing havic or you have severe mucous issues down there etc. My chiropractor wants to know because certain meds he said requires him to treat me in a different way then normally.

No ?? that sometimes it doesnt need to be discusssed, but just wanted to point out that there can be valid reasons for them asking.
 
J

JazzysMom

New member
This is an interesting point....

Often I am sure its because we dont look "disabled" which is, of course, why we would have a Medicare Card at a younger age. BUT if they are just being noisy/curious then I would say NO they dont have a right to ask.

HOWEVER if they are asking because the "cause" of the disability needs to be known for proper care since not knowing the reason could potentially make them liable should they do something wrong they I can see why asking is needed.

A GYN could/should/would need to know because if you are on antiobiotics that are causing havic or you have severe mucous issues down there etc. My chiropractor wants to know because certain meds he said requires him to treat me in a different way then normally.

No ?? that sometimes it doesnt need to be discusssed, but just wanted to point out that there can be valid reasons for them asking.
 
J

JazzysMom

New member
This is an interesting point....
<br />
<br />Often I am sure its because we dont look "disabled" which is, of course, why we would have a Medicare Card at a younger age. BUT if they are just being noisy/curious then I would say NO they dont have a right to ask.
<br />
<br />HOWEVER if they are asking because the "cause" of the disability needs to be known for proper care since not knowing the reason could potentially make them liable should they do something wrong they I can see why asking is needed.
<br />
<br />A GYN could/should/would need to know because if you are on antiobiotics that are causing havic or you have severe mucous issues down there etc. My chiropractor wants to know because certain meds he said requires him to treat me in a different way then normally.
<br />
<br />No ?? that sometimes it doesnt need to be discusssed, but just wanted to point out that there can be valid reasons for them asking.
 
E

Emily65Roses

New member
That's your decision. Unless it's someone that needs to know, like you said, like the receptionist, I don't see why the others need to know. If they need to know for a real reason, sure. If they're being nosy, not so much.

Course for me... if I had that issue (I'm lucky enough to have my mom's fancy insurance still), I'd be a lot more likely to ask someone who was curious and polite... than someone who was nosy and rude. Hah. Someone who asked "May I ask why you have that?" would get a much better response that someone who asked "<u>Why</u> do <b>you</b> have <i>that</i>?" Hahahaa.
 
E

Emily65Roses

New member
That's your decision. Unless it's someone that needs to know, like you said, like the receptionist, I don't see why the others need to know. If they need to know for a real reason, sure. If they're being nosy, not so much.

Course for me... if I had that issue (I'm lucky enough to have my mom's fancy insurance still), I'd be a lot more likely to ask someone who was curious and polite... than someone who was nosy and rude. Hah. Someone who asked "May I ask why you have that?" would get a much better response that someone who asked "<u>Why</u> do <b>you</b> have <i>that</i>?" Hahahaa.
 
E

Emily65Roses

New member
That's your decision. Unless it's someone that needs to know, like you said, like the receptionist, I don't see why the others need to know. If they need to know for a real reason, sure. If they're being nosy, not so much.

Course for me... if I had that issue (I'm lucky enough to have my mom's fancy insurance still), I'd be a lot more likely to ask someone who was curious and polite... than someone who was nosy and rude. Hah. Someone who asked "May I ask why you have that?" would get a much better response that someone who asked "<u>Why</u> do <b>you</b> have <i>that</i>?" Hahahaa.
 
E

Emily65Roses

New member
That's your decision. Unless it's someone that needs to know, like you said, like the receptionist, I don't see why the others need to know. If they need to know for a real reason, sure. If they're being nosy, not so much.

Course for me... if I had that issue (I'm lucky enough to have my mom's fancy insurance still), I'd be a lot more likely to ask someone who was curious and polite... than someone who was nosy and rude. Hah. Someone who asked "May I ask why you have that?" would get a much better response that someone who asked "<u>Why</u> do <b>you</b> have <i>that</i>?" Hahahaa.
 
E

Emily65Roses

New member
That's your decision. Unless it's someone that needs to know, like you said, like the receptionist, I don't see why the others need to know. If they need to know for a real reason, sure. If they're being nosy, not so much.
<br />
<br />Course for me... if I had that issue (I'm lucky enough to have my mom's fancy insurance still), I'd be a lot more likely to ask someone who was curious and polite... than someone who was nosy and rude. Hah. Someone who asked "May I ask why you have that?" would get a much better response that someone who asked "<u>Why</u> do <b>you</b> have <i>that</i>?" Hahahaa.
 
C

CaliSally

New member
<b>I'm guessing they are simply being nosy</b>. I've <u>never</u> had anyone ask me why I have a specific insurance, and I don't think they need to know why you have a specific insurance in order to process your claim. Whatever they need to process the claim is already in your medical records. That's a billing issue and most places these days have separate agencies that do their billing - it's not the receptionist or the nurse.

I'd be sarcatic and start making crap up - just to mess with them. Tell them you have multiple personalities and THIS one has Sickle Cell (an african american disease), if you're white. Tell them you were abducted by aliens (E.T. kind) and they implanted something in your spine and from time to time you poop a baby alien - you now have a litter of them at home and they are running amuck... oh, and they all insisted on coming with you today... (as you turn to shush them) <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
 
C

CaliSally

New member
<b>I'm guessing they are simply being nosy</b>. I've <u>never</u> had anyone ask me why I have a specific insurance, and I don't think they need to know why you have a specific insurance in order to process your claim. Whatever they need to process the claim is already in your medical records. That's a billing issue and most places these days have separate agencies that do their billing - it's not the receptionist or the nurse.

I'd be sarcatic and start making crap up - just to mess with them. Tell them you have multiple personalities and THIS one has Sickle Cell (an african american disease), if you're white. Tell them you were abducted by aliens (E.T. kind) and they implanted something in your spine and from time to time you poop a baby alien - you now have a litter of them at home and they are running amuck... oh, and they all insisted on coming with you today... (as you turn to shush them) <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
 
C

CaliSally

New member
<b>I'm guessing they are simply being nosy</b>. I've <u>never</u> had anyone ask me why I have a specific insurance, and I don't think they need to know why you have a specific insurance in order to process your claim. Whatever they need to process the claim is already in your medical records. That's a billing issue and most places these days have separate agencies that do their billing - it's not the receptionist or the nurse.

I'd be sarcatic and start making crap up - just to mess with them. Tell them you have multiple personalities and THIS one has Sickle Cell (an african american disease), if you're white. Tell them you were abducted by aliens (E.T. kind) and they implanted something in your spine and from time to time you poop a baby alien - you now have a litter of them at home and they are running amuck... oh, and they all insisted on coming with you today... (as you turn to shush them) <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
 
C

CaliSally

New member
<b>I'm guessing they are simply being nosy</b>. I've <u>never</u> had anyone ask me why I have a specific insurance, and I don't think they need to know why you have a specific insurance in order to process your claim. Whatever they need to process the claim is already in your medical records. That's a billing issue and most places these days have separate agencies that do their billing - it's not the receptionist or the nurse.

I'd be sarcatic and start making crap up - just to mess with them. Tell them you have multiple personalities and THIS one has Sickle Cell (an african american disease), if you're white. Tell them you were abducted by aliens (E.T. kind) and they implanted something in your spine and from time to time you poop a baby alien - you now have a litter of them at home and they are running amuck... oh, and they all insisted on coming with you today... (as you turn to shush them) <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
 
C

CaliSally

New member
<b>I'm guessing they are simply being nosy</b>. I've <u>never</u> had anyone ask me why I have a specific insurance, and I don't think they need to know why you have a specific insurance in order to process your claim. Whatever they need to process the claim is already in your medical records. That's a billing issue and most places these days have separate agencies that do their billing - it's not the receptionist or the nurse.
<br />
<br />I'd be sarcatic and start making crap up - just to mess with them. Tell them you have multiple personalities and THIS one has Sickle Cell (an african american disease), if you're white. Tell them you were abducted by aliens (E.T. kind) and they implanted something in your spine and from time to time you poop a baby alien - you now have a litter of them at home and they are running amuck... oh, and they all insisted on coming with you today... (as you turn to shush them) <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
 
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