Why We Request Your Social Security Number
Understanding the Link Between Your ID and Your Dental Benefits
1. Why does the dentist need my SSN?
We don’t actually use your SSN for our own clinical records. However, many insurance companies—including older or large group plans—use the policyholder’s SSN as their Member Identification Number. Without it, the insurance company’s portal remains "locked" to us.
2. Can’t you just call the insurance company?
Even over the phone, insurance representatives are legally required to verify the Member ID before they can discuss your benefits. If your Member ID is your SSN, they cannot release information to us without it. Without this verification, we cannot:
Confirm you have active coverage.
See how much of your "Annual Maximum" is left.
Determine if a specific procedure (like a crown or filling) is covered.
3. What happens if I don't provide it?
If we cannot verify your insurance, we are forced to treat you as a "Self-Pay" patient. This means:
You would be responsible for the full cost of the visit at the time of service.
You would have to file the claim yourself and wait for the insurance company to reimburse you directly.
You lose the "in-network" discounts we provide to insured patients.
4. Is my information safe here?
Yes. Our office is strictly governed by HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).
Encrypted Storage: Our software encrypts sensitive data. Once entered, the full number is often "masked" so it is not visible to general staff.
Purpose-Driven: We only use this data to ensure your insurance pays its portion of your bill.
5. Puting the Risk in Perspective
We understand the fear of identity theft. However, security experts estimate that roughly 60% to 80% of American SSNs have already been exposed in large-scale corporate data breaches (like Equifax).
On the dark web, an SSN currently sells for about $2.00. Ironically, withholding that "$2.00 piece of data" could cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars in dental benefits that you have already paid for through your premiums.
Pro-Tip for Patients:
The best way to protect your identity is not to withhold your SSN from your doctor, but to freeze your credit with the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). This is free and prevents anyone from using your SSN to open new accounts, regardless of where they found the number.