At the Doctor?

Question

I went to a specialist today, somewhere I hadn't been before. I handed over my health card and the nurse swiped it, and said, "Ok Holly ... is your address still _________________? Is your phone number still _____________________?" I glanced around the waiting room, seeing how many other people were sitting in earshot - now all these people knew where I lived and what my phone number was! Call me insecure, but I really wasn't comfortable with that. I didn't say anything about it at the time, but how can I prevent this from happening in the future? Is it rude to hand over my card and say, "Nothing has changed, please don't repeat the information, it's personal" ?

Answer 1

You can ask the receptionist to write it down or have it written down already and hand it to her when you walk in. That's what I do. And I just say. "this is my current address and phone number if you need to update". Then they don't say anything out loud.

Answer 2

Its actually not proffesional for the nurse to do that. She is supposed to abide by HIPPA guidelines and follow patient privacy. It might just be something that they do at the office. It wouldn't hurt to tell them that everything is the same.
I work at a doctors office. I ask patients if things have changed and if they need to change there address I ask them to write it down or come back to an area where no one is around.

Answer 3

if you feel that strongly about it then it is not rude to ask them to not repeat the info for everyone to hear.

but 99 percent of the population could not remember a phone number without writing it down. let alone an address.

Answer 4

That is not rude, what they did was very rude and disrespectful. Well usually you can tell them once you walk in, nothing has changed with my information in the computer, if you would like to know the information I can write it down for you on a piece of paper. They usually ask to make sure your who you say you are, but let them know before they start blabbing out all your information. Although their supposed to ask you to give it to them, when I go to the doctors they say name, phone and address please. But since your doctors dont, let them know up front, thats confidential and you dont want them saying it outloud.

Answer 5

The nurse/receptionist should know better than just reciting your personal information outloud. With as many identity theives as there are today, you'd think she'd know not to do that.

Answer 6

Holly it is standard procedure but you could suggest to the administration that the intake people either print out your info and ask you to confirm it, or just keep their voices low.

Answer 7

You, my dear, need smart-@ss lessons. When she asked the first question, you look at her and say, "is that question for me or the whole waiting room?". If she responds with a snippy answer, (God help her), you then reply, "no, my address is now 69 Scrotum ave."
You will probably be thrown out, but I find this method really cheers up a doctors waiting room!

Answer 8

If it bothers you that much then mention it to the receptionist. You need to know that all those people waiting did the same thing, no one cares about your info.

You may just be a wee paranoid. I think the instance of identity theft in a doctors office is really low. :p

Answer 9

very good point!
i was once claiming on my health insurance on a counselling visit, and the loud women said "YOU"RE GETTING ______________ BACK FROM YOUR PSYCHOLOGY". i was mortified that she announced this to a room full of people, and right near my place of work! so i put a written complaint in to the manager under the breach of privacy act. however, the silly ***** went on maternity leave and never came back.

Answer 10

They need to be told that's violation of privacy and they should know that. I hate that too! They're only supposed to use your first name also when the call you in. Write a letter to the manager of that clinic and cc our Dr. that they need to review their procedures.