Well, here is a new one, at least it is new for me. This week when we went to the Doctor they required a photo ID, we have gone to this Doctor for 40 years so I am sure this is something most offices are starting to require.
My problem with this is that I do not like people making copies of my drivers license. I don't think we should have to also carry around a photo ID other than our license if we do not want to. Why in the world can't they just look at the license and then write down the license number, therefore not have all these copies floating around. This really bothers me.
I am sure this is to cut down on people using others insurance, but really why have to make copies.
I think that is a new policy everywhere. My last 2 Doctor apointments required a photo ID and they made a copy of my drivers license. I think pretty soon our whole life can be open to inspection.
It was explained to me that they do this to avoid insurance fraud. We live in a major city and too many people were going to the doctor using a friends' medical insurance card. Now, they are working to insure that the person presented is, indeed, the person who owns the insurance card.
What is the purpose of a photo ID at the doctor's office? Are people now coming into doctor's offices with stolen insurance cards and pretending to be that person so they can get medical care that they probably can't afford themselves?
Thank goodness when my DH gave up his license recently we opted for the ID option. Last Dr appt required, so I'm guessing this is a requirement from 'on high' somewhere. Great, because we all need yet one more thing to do/keep track of....NOT.
I took a current picture of my husband and made an "In Case Of Emergency" page on the computer. Under his 3x2 picture, it has his name, address and that he has Alzheimer's. It lists me as the emergency contact with my cell phone number. Under that, it lists the medicines he takes and how much of each. Under that, it lists his doctor's name, his neurologist's name and phone number, and the hospital to take him to, if required. Under that, it has his health insurance company and ID# and the phone number to call for approval.
I made it fit in a 4x5 size, and printed it on a color printer and laminated it with a packet I got at Walmart and cut it to size after putting the paper in (it comes in 8 1/2 x11 sheets). I have one in his wallet and one in my purse. I can show this to all doctors, and when we had to go to the Emergency Room, they thanked me for it!
I got to thinking, after I did his, that all that information for me needed to be available too! So I made me an "In Case Of Emergency" 4x5 laminated card that stays in the front of my purse, so that if I ever become unconscious, or be involved in a car wreck, they would know all my relevant information. I feel very much more secure now for both of us.
I hope that some of you will consider doing the same thing. It will help you out if needed. It's hard to keep all those separate cards together in the same place, and remember all the medications, and when an emergency does occur, we aren't thinking straight anyway!
Mary, will the Doctor office accept a copy of the Insurance numbers instead of the actual cards? I think mine want to take a picture of both sides of his cards.
The first time I went to the doctor, dentist, eye doctor - they all made copies of the insurance card. Since then when we go in, they just ask if there have been any changes in the insurance carrier.
These ICOE cards are for ID and information if we are not in their offices. But if they want a photo ID, they could use this one instead of a driver's license. Plus they always want current drug information too. It's easier to have the ICOE to be placed in the file. The nurses like it.
I don't mind letting them copy our drivers liscence and Insurance cards but I really get bugged out when they make me fill out all the personal information again after doing it last year. My heart doctors office does this to me, I guess once a year. They say it is required by somebody. I aske them why all our other Med Offices just give me a print out of my data and ask me to review it and change any item that has changed. I think it is just some Office Mgr that delights in being the boss. I am going to write a personal letter to my Dr and mail in an envelope marked "CONFIDINTIAL". I am pretty easy going at the Drs office until I come across something that is just hogwash. bill
unfortunately yes we have folks using fraudulent cards stolen or fromfamily members to get medical treatment. i am sure within months everyone will be wanting valid proof of Identity. i wonder how much this fraud is causing our rates to go up!!! ouch. its probably going to be an ongoing issue in the future. divvi
I am surprised that they would accept a photo you had made yourself, anyone could take a picture of themselves and then still pass an Insurance card that belonged to someone else. I would think they will be requiring the Photo Id of the Driver License or the State ID card. I had my husband get the ID card when we turned in his license, I have already had to have it renewed, it will expire 2013 and I already would not be able to get him in for another picture. Don't know what I will do if they require a new one each year. Out of luck that is all I can say.
The whole world is changing, I went to buy round up for the weeds in our flower garden and it was locked up, had to have someone get a key and open the door for me to purchase it, blew my mind, they told me people come in and steal it.
These are tough times. Bet we hear more of this stuff as things continue. And yes, people do borrow/share/steal medical cards/insurance cards. They switch tag at the stores, slightly damage things to get them marked off, etc. It's not a surprise to me that Drs. Offices would be asking for a picture ID.
I found this interesting because when I took my Dad to a dr appt May 1st, they asked for the photo Id and said it was now required of everyone as of May 1st. I thought that this was just a personal requirement of that particular dr. Is this some kind of new Fed reg or something? It seems so coincidental that suddenly all of you are being asked the same question and yet we are from all over the country (and probably the world). BIG BROTHER IS HERE!!!!!!
I agree with Jane. I'm surprised they would accept an ID you made. When I've been asked for a picture ID for other things (not at the doctor's office), they wanted a state issued ID. I think they really wanted a driver's license or the ID that is given by the DMV, but when I accidently pulled out my faculty ID from a state university they took it.
We just spent 5 hours at an emergency room last Thursday, and no one asked for photo ID. They did come in and ask for his med insurance cards, and I had remembered to grab them before we left the house, but no photo ID. I am getting a handicap placard for DH, now that he fractured his pelvis and the doctor filled out the papers to make it permanent because of Alzheimer's. i know that others have done this, but I hadn't, I just feel guilty using handicap spaces. Well, i won't feel that way anymore. A few weeks ago, we were at Target, and had walked back to the car. Upon arriving at the car, DH needed to use the bathroom. Well, it was a long, long walk, and he didn't make it. Diarrhea! From now on that won't happen. I'm thinking I should bring a change of clothing when we go out (LOL) Unfortunately, it's not the first time, and I keep having to buy new underwear.
Chris, why in the world would you feel guilty having a Handicap Placard for an 85 year old man? I have congestive heart failure and my Cardiologist suggested I get one because he didn't want me walking long distances in the Texas heat, with shopping bags or pushing a shopping cart. His nurse told me he gives his heart patients the Rx and the form signed by him when he deems it necessary. Usually a shopper has had all the exercise they need in the mall or store, and need to sit down as soon as possible.
They are set aside for people like my 82 yr. old husband, me and YOU! They are not for those without needs. The Dept. of Public Safety decides if you are eligible or not based on the doctor's description of condition on the form. We don't need to be heroes all of the time. I do keep a xeroxed copy of both of our doctor's forms in my glove box just in case someone feels it necessary to question our use of the place or the validity of the placard.
I thought this was just a quirk at DH's heart doctor's office when they asked for his driver's license and made a copy. I don't like this either, Jane. There is also a sign up saying we must show our insurance cards at each visit.
Chris, sometimes the handicapped places are not even close enough. I never feel guilty using those places if DH is with me....even if he doesn't go in with me.
I used to feel guilty about the handicapped placard. Only used it when I really needed it. These days I really need it all the time. I end up having a numb leg by the time I get out of the supermarket. The placard means I've got some independence.
My dentist's office had us fill out new info sheets this year - claimed that they had a new computer and were adding the clients into the new system as they came in, and wanted to be certain that they had up to date information. The photo ID that I made on that Emergency Information card was for if I was taken in unconscious to the ER, or in a car wreck with other people, and it would make me and my husband easier to identify. We haven't changed doctors in 5 years, so the doctors have our driver's license and insurance cards in our files as well. They haven't asked for new ones.
As far as the handicapped placard, I use it whenever my husband is with me. Around here, Walmart has over 20 handicap parking spaces and they are all always full!!!! <grin>
The parking spaces I hate are the "baby on board" ones. I use them when the handicapped ones are full (when my husband's with me so we can use his card). I'm sorry, but them wit' babies is youngns and their knees don't hurt!