I learned something from a guest today about privacy. He said that when those health-screening companies come to town, you don’t have to tell them everything they ask.
He was talking about LifeLine Screening and the other traveling shows that set up shop for a day in churches, then do screening for stroke, aneurysm, bone-density, cholesterol and the like.
He said they always ask for your health history and medicines you are taking, but you do not need to tell them. They are not your doctor, they don’t need to know that stuff. He said you just ask the clerk what is the minimum part of the form you can fill out, and she will tell you…no problemo!
He said they also have a HIPPA disclosure form. If you agree to it, they will give all your information and test results to some company who is free to pass it on to who-knows-who-else. He said that it’s perfectly OK to write “DECLINED” on the form, instead of a signature…the clerk really doesn’t care.
He even left his email address off the form…said that was there so they could spam you, not for your benefit.
It was an interesting discussion. Maybe we can sell his name and credit card number to an identity thief…NOT!