New patient questionnaire

[Deleted]

It's been a couple of years since I got new glasses so I wanted to get an eye exam.  My regular optometrist didn't have an opening until 9-29-20 so I decided to try a new one that DH used a couple of years ago.  It's the "affiliate" attached to Costco so very convenient.  I got an appointment for September 16 which was perfect.  Then they sent me a link to their "New Patient Questionnaire", all 10 pages of it.  First part was the usual-name, address, phone, email etc.  Except they also wanted race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, maiden name, mother's maiden name and SS #.  Uh, no, not happening.

Then we moved on to the usual medical stuff-any known health conditions, medications you take, blah, blah.  But then they wanted me to list ALL surgeries I've had-not just eye surgeries.  And my height and weight.  While I am fully aware that overall health issues impact eye health, and issues like diabetes or prior cataract surgery are certainly relevant, what the hell difference does it make that I had my tonsils out when I was 5 or my tubes tied at 44?  And I do know the relevance of race and ethnicity questions for certain health issues; sickle cell springs to mind.  But again, it's an eye exam.

My first thought was what would happen if I were a black, trans-gender person? Or a Native American bi-sexual?  Would they cancel my appointment?  Would I be charged a different amount?  

Is this the new norm? At 72 I've seen a lot of doctors, dentists, optometrists, etc. over the years and this is the very first time I've seen this level of invasive questioning.  

[Deleted]

It's the new norm.

When I joined the Oregon Health Plan they sent me a similar form that went as far as asking about who I lived with, how much TV I watch, etc... Um, no. Just no.

[TheOtherMe]

I am with the do not answer crowd unless you can explain to me why it is relevant.

 my SSN is never relevant

[Tennesseer]

Sept 2, 2020 16:20:41 GMT -5 @donethat said:

It's been a couple of years since I got new glasses so I wanted to get an eye exam.  My regular optometrist didn't have an opening until 9-29-20 so I decided to try a new one that DH used a couple of years ago.  It's the "affiliate" attached to Costco so very convenient.  I got an appointment for September 16 which was perfect.  Then they sent me a link to their "New Patient Questionnaire", all 10 pages of it.  First part was the usual-name, address, phone, email etc.  Except they also wanted race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, maiden name, mother's maiden name and SS #.  Uh, no, not happening.

Then we moved on to the usual medical stuff-any known health conditions, medications you take, blah, blah.  But then they wanted me to list ALL surgeries I've had-not just eye surgeries.  And my height and weight.  While I am fully aware that overall health issues impact eye health, and issues like diabetes or prior cataract surgery are certainly relevant, what the hell difference does it make that I had my tonsils out when I was 5 or my tubes tied at 44?  And I do know the relevance of race and ethnicity questions for certain health issues; sickle cell springs to mind.  But again, it's an eye exam.

My first thought was what would happen if I were a black, trans-gender person? Or a Native American bi-sexual?  Would they cancel my appointment?  Would I be charged a different amount?  

Is this the new norm? At 72 I've seen a lot of doctors, dentists, optometrists, etc. over the years and this is the very first time I've seen this level of invasive questioning.  

It's for glasses for goodness sake. Not a brain, heart, liver and lungs transplant.

[Sharon]

Those are part of the pay for performance questions.  It started out as Meaningful use and was part of the ARRA where providers could get money for converting to electronic health records.  To receive the money they had to prove they were collecting certain data.  There were all sorts of categories and you had to meet a certain number of criteria under each category.  That morphed in MIPS which is the pay for performance.  By the time MIPS was coming around I was out of that area so I'm not as familiar with its criteria.

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

Sept 2, 2020 17:26:52 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I am with the do not answer crowd unless you can explain to me why it is relevant.

 my SSN is never relevant

I never, ever, ever put my ssn on forms in which it is not relevant.

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

Sept 2, 2020 16:20:41 GMT -5 @donethat said:

It's been a couple of years since I got new glasses so I wanted to get an eye exam.  My regular optometrist didn't have an opening until 9-29-20 so I decided to try a new one that DH used a couple of years ago.  It's the "affiliate" attached to Costco so very convenient.  I got an appointment for September 16 which was perfect.  Then they sent me a link to their "New Patient Questionnaire", all 10 pages of it.  First part was the usual-name, address, phone, email etc.  Except they also wanted race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, maiden name, mother's maiden name and SS #.  Uh, no, not happening.

Then we moved on to the usual medical stuff-any known health conditions, medications you take, blah, blah.  But then they wanted me to list ALL surgeries I've had-not just eye surgeries.  And my height and weight.  While I am fully aware that overall health issues impact eye health, and issues like diabetes or prior cataract surgery are certainly relevant, what the hell difference does it make that I had my tonsils out when I was 5 or my tubes tied at 44?  And I do know the relevance of race and ethnicity questions for certain health issues; sickle cell springs to mind.  But again, it's an eye exam.

My first thought was what would happen if I were a black, trans-gender person? Or a Native American bi-sexual?  Would they cancel my appointment?  Would I be charged a different amount?  

Is this the new norm? At 72 I've seen a lot of doctors, dentists, optometrists, etc. over the years and this is the very first time I've seen this level of invasive questioning.  

I never fill out stuff that I feel is irrelevant to the situation and I have never had whomever reject or ask me to complete further.

[NoNamePerson]

it came to family background I left everything blank. The ortho doc ask if I was adopted      . This was 8 yrs ago. I would have a field day with the questions the OP was asked! They would probably call in the straight jacket folks! I see great potential for funny, snarky, nasty remarks just begging to be entered. 

eta. I did tell him my father was shot down in WWII and I didn’t think that was genetic

[kadee79]

Sept 2, 2020 16:20:41 GMT -5 @donethat said:

It's been a couple of years since I got new glasses so I wanted to get an eye exam.  My regular optometrist didn't have an opening until 9-29-20 so I decided to try a new one that DH used a couple of years ago.  It's the "affiliate" attached to Costco so very convenient.  I got an appointment for September 16 which was perfect.  Then they sent me a link to their "New Patient Questionnaire", all 10 pages of it.  First part was the usual-name, address, phone, email etc.  Except they also wanted race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, maiden name, mother's maiden name and SS #.  Uh, no, not happening.

Then we moved on to the usual medical stuff-any known health conditions, medications you take, blah, blah.  But then they wanted me to list ALL surgeries I've had-not just eye surgeries.  And my height and weight.  While I am fully aware that overall health issues impact eye health, and issues like diabetes or prior cataract surgery are certainly relevant, what the hell difference does it make that I had my tonsils out when I was 5 or my tubes tied at 44?  And I do know the relevance of race and ethnicity questions for certain health issues; sickle cell springs to mind.  But again, it's an eye exam.

My first thought was what would happen if I were a black, trans-gender person? Or a Native American bi-sexual?  Would they cancel my appointment?  Would I be charged a different amount?  

Is this the new norm? At 72 I've seen a lot of doctors, dentists, optometrists, etc. over the years and this is the very first time I've seen this level of invasive questioning.  

I can do you one better....my ortho is sending me to a pain management Dr.  Got the packet of paperwork from them the other day....all 17 pages of it & 2 pages had stuff on both sides.  Oh, and they wanted to know all about my sex life too.
Sorry, but my sex life...past, present or future...has nothing to do with my back & what is happening to it as I age.  
They also wanted a complete rundown of all my meds including OTC ones...which is normal....BUT, the first page of instructions says to bring ALL meds to the office in their original containers...that is NOT happening.  I'm not letting anyone handle my med bottles other than the pharmacy & me.  
There was  some other stuff in there too....I just skipped it all.  It wanted a family history...I put question marks.  They don't need that info to treat my back pain.

[Deleted]

I have decided to cancel the appointment and book with my clinic optometrist although it's probably going to be mid-October (his only available yesterday was 9-29),  I can't in good conscience patronize people who ask these stupid, irrelevant questions.  If I play their game, I become part of the problem IMHO.  

Thanks to everyone for the feedback.

[Tennesseer]

Sept 2, 2020 19:32:06 GMT -5 @donethat said:

I have decided to cancel the appointment and book with my clinic optometrist although it's probably going to be mid-October (his only available yesterday was 9-29),  I can't in good conscience patronize people who ask these stupid, irrelevant questions.  If I play their game, I become part of the problem IMHO.  

Thanks to everyone for the feedback.

Make sure you let them know why you canceled. I would.

[Deleted]

Sept 2, 2020 19:27:25 GMT -5 kadee79 said:

Sept 2, 2020 16:20:41 GMT -5 @donethat said:

It's been a couple of years since I got new glasses so I wanted to get an eye exam.  My regular optometrist didn't have an opening until 9-29-20 so I decided to try a new one that DH used a couple of years ago.  It's the "affiliate" attached to Costco so very convenient.  I got an appointment for September 16 which was perfect.  Then they sent me a link to their "New Patient Questionnaire", all 10 pages of it.  First part was the usual-name, address, phone, email etc.  Except they also wanted race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, maiden name, mother's maiden name and SS #.  Uh, no, not happening.

Then we moved on to the usual medical stuff-any known health conditions, medications you take, blah, blah.  But then they wanted me to list ALL surgeries I've had-not just eye surgeries.  And my height and weight.  While I am fully aware that overall health issues impact eye health, and issues like diabetes or prior cataract surgery are certainly relevant, what the hell difference does it make that I had my tonsils out when I was 5 or my tubes tied at 44?  And I do know the relevance of race and ethnicity questions for certain health issues; sickle cell springs to mind.  But again, it's an eye exam.

My first thought was what would happen if I were a black, trans-gender person? Or a Native American bi-sexual?  Would they cancel my appointment?  Would I be charged a different amount?  

Is this the new norm? At 72 I've seen a lot of doctors, dentists, optometrists, etc. over the years and this is the very first time I've seen this level of invasive questioning.  

I can do you one better....my ortho is sending me to a pain management Dr.  Got the packet of paperwork from them the other day....all 17 pages of it & 2 pages had stuff on both sides.  Oh, and they wanted to know all about my sex life too.
Sorry, but my sex life...past, present or future...has nothing to do with my back & what is happening to it as I age.  
They also wanted a complete rundown of all my meds including OTC ones...which is normal....BUT, the first page of instructions says to bring ALL meds to the office in their original containers...that is NOT happening.  I'm not letting anyone handle my med bottles other than the pharmacy & me.  
There was  some other stuff in there too....I just skipped it all.  It wanted a family history...I put question marks.  They don't need that info to treat my back pain.

Part of the questionnaire I got was a detailed list of various recreational substances like meth, coke, weed, and more with a request to state which one(s) you used, last date used, etc.  They are all illegal in this state so why would I answer that if I did use (which I don't)?  My poor GP asks me every year about my sex life and he is far more embarrassed than I am.  I do understand why he asks because seniors can certainly be sexually active which can be reflected in urinary tract issues, STD's, need for hormonal treatments, lubricants, etc.  But a back doc or an eye doc?  Nope!

[NoNamePerson]

I just realized that the ortho doc actually gave me the perfect answer to all the questions. I will just say adopted! Not like they can track down anyone to verify   Geese, what a crock! But I’ve only seen a doctor twice in 29 years so there’s that! 

[Deleted]

Sept 2, 2020 19:34:16 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Sept 2, 2020 19:32:06 GMT -5 @donethat said:

I have decided to cancel the appointment and book with my clinic optometrist although it's probably going to be mid-October (his only available yesterday was 9-29),  I can't in good conscience patronize people who ask these stupid, irrelevant questions.  If I play their game, I become part of the problem IMHO.  

Thanks to everyone for the feedback.

Make sure you let them know why you canceled. I would.

Oh yes, I will indeed let them know why I'm cancelling.  And some of that might spill over to their FB page and Yelp.  When I get pissed, I really get pissed.  Just saying.  Their questions don't really mean a rat's ass to me, but in these questions DH and I are seeing the faces of good friends, folks we've known for years, folks we've spent a lot of time with, been honest with, celebrated marriages with, celebrated births with, cried with, put our lives in the hands of.  A couple of months back, people showed up at our door with masks when we had none, hand sanitizer when we had none.  Would they pass the litmus test of this provider?  I don't know.  I do know I have other options and I will find them.  

[chiver78]

Sept 2, 2020 18:27:09 GMT -5 Cheesy FL-Vol said:

Sept 2, 2020 17:26:52 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I am with the do not answer crowd unless you can explain to me why it is relevant.

 my SSN is never relevant

I never, ever, ever put my ssn on forms in which it is not relevant.

☝️ I had to pay a deposit (which will be refunded after 10mo of on-time payments 🙄) to Verizon for a new FIOS account bc i wouldn't give them my SSN. why the hell would I? they bill in advance, they arent extending credit. 🤷‍♀️

[TheOtherMe]

When I used to take dad shopping, one store I took him to always wanted his phone number when we checked out.  I asked why and was told marketing.  I told them they didn't need to know his phone number.  We got asked every single time we went there and I would tell them you don't need to know his phone number.

He always paid with cash.

[Deleted]

I'm filling this out now for a new PCP and her version isn't too bad. They do ask about whether I'm sexually active but I understand that. One Q about recreational and street drugs, more about alcohol and tobacco use, some dealing with mental health and many details on when my last preventative tests were.

The questions donethat listed are WAY too detailed for an optometrist.

When I'm at a cash register and they ask for my phone number I give them a fake one. Passive-aggressive, I know. I should just tell them I don't want to provide it.  I once supplied my real number at a Loehmann's store and at least once a month my phone would ring (no caller ID back then) and it would be a robo-call: "This is Lisa from Loehmann's.  We're having a sale of up to 40% off on designer shoes..."  Never again.

[NoNamePerson]

Sept 3, 2020 7:11:34 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

I'm filling this out now for a new PCP and her version isn't too bad. They do ask about whether I'm sexually active but I understand that. One Q about recreational and street drugs, more about alcohol and tobacco use, some dealing with mental health and many details on when my last preventative tests were.

The questions donethat listed are WAY too detailed for an optometrist.

When I'm at a cash register and they ask for my phone number I give them a fake one. Passive-aggressive, I know. I should just tell them I don't want to provide it.  I once supplied my real number at a Loehmann's store and at least once a month my phone would ring (no caller ID back then) and it would be a robo-call: "This is Lisa from Loehmann's.  We're having a sale of up to 40% off on designer shoes..."  Never again.

I tell them my number is unlisted! They do something/punch some key


and sale rings up. I did go to a store several years ago - never been there before. Got to checkout and was asked phone number - gave my stock answer! Clerk said HAD to have it for returns. I left stuff on counter and left. Turned out ok since a week later I found it somewhere else whipped out CC and no phone number required

[bookkeeper]

I too give only as much info as I care to.  Long ago I learned how to draw a line and scribble N/A on forms.  When asked for phone or email, I just answer that I don't care to share.

They are collecting this information to understand their customer base and market to them.  They don't need to market to me, I am already in their office.  I also hate the follow up surveys for every doctor, dentist and retail encounter.  Just because I paid for a service does not mean I want to be part of your focus group.  

I have noticed that whenever I start with a new healthcare provider or sign up for a different utility or do a large amount of retail business where I have given my phone number to the business, the frequency of spam calls and spam texts just explodes.

I think phone numbers are sold, traded or hacked on a regular basis.  Privacy information out the window.

[alabamagal]

DH just got his packet from his new cardiologist. Since we moved and have to get a new set of Doctors we have had a bunch of forms to fill out.

My new PCP was pretty good, they just did interview and all Q seemed relevant. When he referred me for colonoscopy they had all info, including insurance.

For DH cardio, why does the form require to still fill out insurance when they ask for the card to scan. I told him to put “see card”. They also told him to bring his meds. Instead he just gets a med list from CVS and brings that.

[Deleted]

Sept 3, 2020 8:09:01 GMT -5 bookkeeper said:

<snip>I also hate the follow up surveys for every doctor, dentist and retail encounter.  Just because I paid for a service does not mean I want to be part of your focus group.  

I never fill those out unless there's some reward involved. E-Rewards gives me Hilton points, AA miles and Starbucks credits. TripAdvisor lets me see what other travelers and diners experience so I can make decisions in planning my own visits. Why should I provide my opinion and get nothing in return?

I have noticed that whenever I start with a new healthcare provider or sign up for a different utility or do a large amount of retail business where I have given my phone number to the business, the frequency of spam calls and spam texts just explodes.

I think phone numbers are sold, traded or hacked on a regular basis.  Privacy information out the window.

I'm still ticked off that my cell number (which I guard carefully) ended up in DH's credit report. I'm sure he provided it when the doc's office asked for an emergency contact or if they asked for a cell phone number (he didn't have one, never wanted one). That was no reason to report it to the credit bureau.

And never give your # to CVS. They have my landline number and keep calling for me to renew a prescription that I use "as needed" so don't need to fill at regular intervals.

[Deleted]

@donethat, race is very relevant.  Even though I am Caucasian and have glaucoma, it disproportionately affects African-Americans.  I think they are something like 5X more likely to develop glaucoma and at a younger age.  

I suspect the SSN is a leftover from the days when insurance companies used it.  It was only in the last year that Medicare stopped using it.  I had the dentist remove it from my file, and then my district changed dental plans.  Guess what the new insurance company used as its member ID?

[cktc]

I just finished a course on medical coding and you will be happy to know most of these history forms may soon be on the way out. Patient provided history is currently important for determining level of service for all specialties, even eye doctors. For a comprehensive history they want 4 facts about your present illness, information on 10+ body systems, and 1 thing from Past Medical, Family, and Social History. For new patients it doesn't matter how comprehensive the exam is or how serious the issues are, the amount of information provided by the patient will determine how much they are paid. There are changes pending in 2021 and outpatient providers will no longer be required to collect all that information for reimbursement, time spent with the patient and medical decision making will be the determining factors.

[vonna]

I only answer what I feel is relevant -- often leaving quite a bit blank.  So far, it's never been an issue

[Deleted]

Sept 3, 2020 15:43:47 GMT -5 cktc said:

I just finished a course on medical coding and you will be happy to know most of these history forms may soon be on the way out. Patient provided history is currently important for determining level of service for all specialties, even eye doctors. For a comprehensive history they want 4 facts about your present illness, information on 10+ body systems, and 1 thing from Past Medical, Family, and Social History. For new patients it doesn't matter how comprehensive the exam is or how serious the issues are, the amount of information provided by the patient will determine how much they are paid. There are changes pending in 2021 and outpatient providers will no longer be required to collect all that information for reimbursement, time spent with the patient and medical decision making will be the determining factors.

Wow!  Since I self-pay and told them that when making the appointment, I guess that form is just a stupid one-size-fits-all approach.  It's particularly odd for this outfit which is the optometrist-in-a-box next to Costco.  Oh well, it cost them 2 clients because after DH saw the questionnaire, he's not going back to them.  

[Deleted]

@donethat, go to your old optometrist, but still consider having your glasses made at Costco.  They did an awesome job with mine and DH's, and I have a complicated prescription and Progressives.  They were so much cheaper than the optometrist or LensCrafter.  Zenni was ok, but I bought frames that were slightly too big for my face because I didn't know what size or how to even see what size they were.

[ners]

This thread makes me laugh.  DF went to his optometrist today.  Said there was a guy sitting swearing about all the questions.  He said they want my SS he left it blank.   

[Deleted]

I guess I can see why a PCP would need information covering a lot of things, since they are often the ones that coordinate your care and refer you to specialists as needed. I’ve been going to my PCP for over 20 years, and when I have tests done elsewhere or by specialists she wants a copy of the results, regardless of what the issue is. I have no problem with that, because I believe that sometimes what seems like separate issues may actually be linked together if someone takes the time to look and consider that.

As far as how things can be connected, one year I had my regular eye exam with my Opthamologist and the pressure in my eyes was elevated, which can be a precursor to glaucoma. But! an orthopedist had just given me a steroid shot for my shoulder and I was using a steroidal nasal spray for my allergies. I had no idea that steroids could cause increased pressure in my eyes. My Opthamologist took a bunch of “pictures” of my eyes and had me come back in a month or so (I don’t really remember the length of time) to check the pressure, and it had gone down.

So I don’t really mind answering most questions about my medical history and what not, unless they ask me something crazy, like I don’t see why an Opthamologist would need to know about my sexual history, whereas I can see that information being pertinent to a gynecologist. 

So far, I haven’t run into what I consider invasive questions. I did choose to not schedule an appointment with some provider (I don’t remember what kind) that insisted on having my SS# before they would even schedule an appointment.

[kadee79]

I use the  optometrist at our Costco.  They are independent Dr.s and I've never had to fill out anything like that.  And I pay with a CC for mine so basically cash for them.

[Tennesseer]

@pinkcshmere said "So far, I haven’t run into what I consider invasive questions. I did choose to not schedule an appointment with some provider (I don’t remember what kind) that insisted on having my SS# before they would even schedule an appointment."

Up to about two years ago our Medicare ID cards contained our SSNs.  Medicare then replaced those cards, eliminating the SSN and replacing it with some other type of ID# instead.