RE: firing your doctor over questions they ask.

[Alf Tanner]

I was recently looking for a new primary care physician. I have not had one regularly for a few years. After basically throwing a dart at a google search I started picking out general practitioners who listed some of the things I was concerned about and calling their offices and asking if they were accepting my insurance and new patients.

The first place I found was Lakewood Family Medicine. They seemed well organized and had their patient paperwork available. After a brief conversation with a nurse I set up an appointment, downloaded their paperwork and sent them my insurance information.

I was very surprised when their patient paperwork listed questions about kids in the house, whether or not you owned firearms, and whether you kept them locked up or not. I called back and asked them very politely why they asked those questions. After a brief pause the lady who answered the phone said something along the lines of ''you can put down whatever you want but its something we like to know".

Sorry, none of your effing business, please destroy my information immediately you're not authorized under HIPAA to use any of my protected health information or any personally identifiable information as of this exact second.

[ray1970]

They only ask those questions so that when they determine you are mentally deficient they can report you to the proper authorities so that your firearms can be confiscated so you can't harm yourself or anyone else. It's OK. Just answer honestly.



(seriously, you'll probably run into the same thing at just about any health care place these days. Just answer "no" to the part about owning firearms and continue with your business.)

[jerrymrc]

My office does not ask those questions but when the son took the grandchildren to another place they did. He told them it was none of their business. I know that some places it is SOP to try and get this info out of the children. Never leave your child's side during an appointment.

[HoneyBadger]

The hardest part is explaining to your kids why you lie about owning guns, and why you told them to also lie about it when they are asked at the doctor's office or in school.

[Bailey Guns]

Several of the doctors and staff at the clinic I use carry concealed at work. I've never been asked that question anywhere, though.

[Double00]

They asked my 16yr old daughter about guns in the house. She told them "It's none of your business". I'm so proud!

[Graves]

Seems to be the norm now. I leave it blank; never an issue.

[Skully]

EXEMPLA Facilities don't ask, and the kids pediatrician has never asked I or the wife. I have the problem that my boys are very young and are never alone but they are very honest and would probably tell them Daddy and Mommy has many guns but they view it as a good thing. For example Camping; when ever we went for a hike they would ask mommy and I if I had my gun and our knives in case bears or mountain lions were around.

Ultimately I think it depends on who owns the pink slip to the facility.

[kidicarus13]

(Just answer "no" to the part about owning firearms and continue with your business.)

They asked my 16yr old daughter about guns in the house. She told them "It's none of your business". I'm so proud!

As good as it may make you feel to tell them "None of your f'n business!" a far better answer would be similar to Rays'. A simple NO does not attract suspicion while a "none of your business" indicates guns are probably present.

This may seem like splitting hairs in 2014 but could potentially have greater implications in the future if firearm ownership starts to become less acceptable. My $.02

[Skully]

As good as it may make you feel to tell them "None of your f'n business!" a far better answer would be similar to Rays'. A simple NO does not attract suspicion while a "none of your business" indicates guns are probably present.

I would concur with that thought ..................