The market place has not solved the health care crisis. Our health care system is slowly becoming a system for the wealthy only. Now your credit status is going to determine if you get treated by the hospital or not.... Outrageous...
Aren't we obliged to take care of our fellow citizens?
BTW: Medical bills should never be the reason for a bankruptcy.

LJ,

I couldn't have said it better myself. I've often thought about claiming to be an illegal alien next time I have to visit the ER. I would probably get seen faster and have no paperwork / bills to deal with!

Scott C

I haven't been known by my SSN by any insurance company or hospital for nearly 30 years because I simply refuse to give it to anyone who isn't paying me a wage, salary or interest. In this day and age of ID theft it is even more important to protect your SSN like it is your virginity. Once given up, you can't get it back. Therefore, keep it to yourself. They can't lose or abuse what they don't have!

If you aren't in the medical field you may not understand. People are still under the assumption that doctors are rich and simply don't or won't pay their bills. Most doctors write off .40-.50 cents of every dollar billed because of insurance contracts. Malpractice insurance premiums are putting doctors out of business. Frivilous lawsuits cost them thousands. Did you know your doctor has to pay a deductible for every lawsuit filed whether it goes to trial or not? The deductibles are 5000.00 and up. Most doctors end each day with at least 2-3 hours of paperwork and phone calls that are not reimbursed by anyone. Do you want to work for free? Most offices now collect copays upfront because of the miriad of excuses that are given at the checkout counter. We know if we don't get it while you are there we probably won't get it. How would you feel if your boss told you on payday that he forgot his checkbook. How about trying to buy groceries... go to the checkout and tell them that you forgot your checkbook and you will mail them your money ! When you are complaining about credit checks and wondering why they do it. So far in the last six months I have turned over 400,000 in unpaid bills to collection agencies, but we are forced to see these same patients over and over again. We can be sued if we don't. My doc is on call 24 hours a day-7 days a week and after expenses makes about 130,000 a year. Sound cushy to you?

My son's health ins. with Aetna uses his SSN as policy number. This is new coverage as of 030108.