Your office needs to show some compassion Dr. Bartholomew!
I went in today for the first time. I filled out the paperwork and left my social security number blank as I have had my identity stolen bc someone took my number from another dr.'s office. The woman acknowledged that this is a concern but I was told that if I didn't give my social that they would refuse service or I would need to pay cash. I was willing to pay cash but I was told that the cost would be substantially higher (everything would be higher, office visit, blood work etc) than if I went with my insurance. As I was having a medical concern I pleaded with them to show some compassion but they refused. I unfortunately left without seeing the Dr.
They do not need my social to get my insurance to cover me. I stopped giving my social to medical offices long ago with no problem.