For an introvert who hates confrontation, being a crank is hard on the nerves.
Recently unemployed, I’m shopping around for medical insurance. I prefer not to continue with Aetna, because they put my So-called Social Security Number right on the card, which is an invitation to fraud if I should ever lose my wallet. People have had their bank accounts cleaned out by someone who got their SSN.
I had Kaiser Permanente coverage from 1985 until about 1999, and was generally content with it; as a libertarian I talk a lot about choice, but as a typical slob I’d rather not be bothered. So a few days ago I went to Kaiser’s website to sign up again. I put a dummy (000-00-xxxx) in the blank for the SSN.
Today the telephone rang. “Sir, to finish processing your application we need your Social Security Number.” I asked to be referred to someone who could tell me why (beyond “we need it because it’s a requirement”), and got the number for Member Services.
The first voice at Member Services said they need a unique identifier to clear up confusion in case of similar names and the like. I objected that my member number and birthdate ought to suffice (not to mention the fact, which did not occur to me until now, that members over age 16 are required to bring “a photo I D” to appointments as well as their membership card). I explained my fraud concern, trying not to shout.
A manager came on, identified as Diane, and we had a fairly intelligent discussion. I repeated my fraud concern, and Diane said, “Actually sir, it’s meant to prevent fraud. Without it, someone could apply many times–” [I don’t remember the rest of the sentence]. Well, maybe.
I said that I am disturbed by this trend, where every institution of any kind seems to want the SSN; that I wish I could find one willing to take my money without demanding the key to everything else; and that I believe such a requirement is not legal. Diane disagreed with me on the last point, but commented that she believes there is a bill afoot to prohibit it. (If such a bill passes, will Kaiser – or Sprint or anyone else – purge SSNs from their records? Is my hair blue?)
Diane invited me to express my concerns to the corporate president, Richard Pettingill, at 1950 Franklin Street, Oakland, California 94612-2998. Perhaps I’ll do so, and mention Diane’s helpfulness in the letter.
Meanwhile, I’ll be tickled if someone can refer me to a medical insurer doing business in California which does not require SSNs. Preferably by Tuesday.