Does anybody know what this might be all about? I just received a phone call

[madmom]

from our local hospital insurance/billing office. I have to go in tomorrow for an MRI on my shoulder and they called to "pre-register" me. After all the pertinent questions, she ask me what religion I was for "the record". WTF? Why is that need to know information for an MRI, it's not like I'm going in for brain surgery or something, besides I really can't see the reason for it at all, no matter what I'm going in for. IF I were religious, I would leave it up to my next of kin/emergency contact to do whatever had to be done, surely NOT the freaking insurance company! Am I missing something here?

[jmg257]

1. Last rites? Hope not!!

[conscious evolution]

18. I could see hospitals

billing for that.
Wouldn't surprise me a bit.

[tazkcmo]

2. So, did you answer their question?

[madmom]

11. Yes, I answered "none'.

[spanone]

3. tell them you're a muslim

[azmouse]

4. I had that question asked of me when I went for a mammogram a few years ago.

:shrug: What in the world did they expect to happen?!

I told them it was none of their business.

[Warpy]

5. They always ask

It's just a formality they ask of everyone. It's not meant to be intrusive.

People who are religious are set up for visits from the house chaplain if they are in for something serious.

It's an acknowledgment of the spiritual needs many people have along with their physical needs.

[deaniac21]

22. That isn't as much fun.

:-(

[enlightenment]

24. Unfortunately, it is intrusive.

If a religious person wants visits from the hospital chaplain, they can ask for them - although in my experience with in-patient stays, the hospital chaplains have never been loath to pop 'round to pester, anyway.

And why on EARTH would someone need religious counseling for an MRI or even a mammogram? It's not like they're getting the results on the spot (and if someone is so freaked at the mere idea of these non-invasive procedures, asking them a question like that will just make it worse). These are not in-patient procedures; most are not even done in hospitals anymore. This really sounds like the hospitals/clinics are collecting statistics - and that begs the question 'why'?

It is intrusive, regardless of what it's 'meant' to be, and frankly I am sick to death of the excuse that because something is 'meant' to be a good thing it should be seen as such even if the recipient is appalled by it.

[Warpy]

26. I don't like it, either

but I'm not defending it here. I'm just telling you it's routine and the reasoning behind it.

[enlightenment]

27. I know, Warpy.

I'm feeling cranky and over-reactive today. I am sorry for dumping on you.

[liberal N proud]

6. Did they ask if you want it published in the media that you were

going in for a procedure?

Yes I have seen that at plus all you discussed for hospital admissions.

But an MRI is like an office call, nothing more.

[hlthe2b]

7. It's long been a standard "intake question"

I'm sure they just follow the routine and never think about the appropriateness of it as it is just part of the medical record for this and future visits where it might (for some) be more useful information.

I'm sure you can refuse to answer.

[DS1]

8. In case you die on/in the MRI, I would guess

[Tangerine LaBamba]

9. A mindless clerk doing a mindless task......

The question is there, so the clerk asked it. It's just for people who want to have priests or ministers or rabbis or imams or witches visit them while they're hospitalized.

One form fits all, I guess - inpatient and outpatient.

You're perfectly free to decline to answer.

It was harmless, really. Don't get upset. Just another ritual that means something to some people and nothing to others.

[woodsprite]

10. That's a common question at our hospital when anything is done

actually in the hospital, whether it's a catscan, MRI, upper/lower GI series, outpatient surgery, etc. They just want to know who to call if you or your family need extra support in the event that something happens to you on their watch.

I remember getting very upset when I went in to have some outpatient testing done and they had me sign papers saying that a living will and DNR were explained to me and I was refusing to sign the paperwork. The nurse saw me getting visibly upset and she told me that she hated that part of her job, but even for the simplest procedures they were required to get signatures acknowledging the info was discussed, even when someone was having something as minor as an ingrown toenail removed.

[BattyDem]

12. In my experience, hospitals always ask that

I believe it has to do with Last Rites, if they become necessary. However, I agree ... the question is pointless if you're going in for an MRI. I guess it's on the form, so they ask it. I don't believe you're required to answer it. I usually say something like, "I'm just here for an MRI. If you're thinking about the possibility of 'Last Rites' maybe I should go to another hospital." They usually laugh and skip the question. Once, I was told, "We need to know what your wishes would be in the unlikely event that something went wrong." I replied, "I wish you would call the best doctor you have." :-)

[madmom]

16. LOL good answer, wish I'd have thought of something like that. But what gets me most

is it's the INSURANCE OFFICE asking these questions. I could understand it if it were an in-take clerk or something but insurance clerk?

[BattyDem]

17. Oh, I misuderstood

I didn't realize it was the insurance office. Why would they care what religion you are? :shrug:

[madmom]

19. Exactly my point!

[Ioo]

21. Maybe your policy has a NO JEWS clause?

[Geek_Girl]

13. When I was in Labor and went to the womens hospital with our first child

we had to answer some questions I was having allot of pain and my husband was very antsy and tired.

The nurse behind the counter asked us what religion we were. My husband answered: "we are Poseidonist. We worshiped the greek god Poseidon." It was hilarious I couldn't stop laughing.

[SmileyRose]

14. It's a VERY GOOD question and I'm glad they ask it.

A co-worker is Jewish and recently spent 3 weeks unexpectedly at Emory in Atlanta. Putting that on his hospital record made it much easier to respect his dietary requirements, the rabbi of a nearby Synogog (sp) who spends much of his time doing the hospital tour automatically knew my co-worker was there and visited with both him and his family. Since the stay was over Passover, the doctor and nursing staff were able to accomodate him so he could have a meaningful spiritual experience in spite of being sick.

For those who do have strong religious leanings this question is VERY useful.


Edit to add we have a neighbor who's family is devout Muslim and the hospital staff, knowing that by his hospital record, were able to make sure he was able to follow his Muslim customs as much as possible with respect and dignity.

[madmom]

20. It was the insurance office that asked the question NOT the hospital.

[SmileyRose]

23. It was probably Outpatient admitting

If you insurance company does it own admitting (my HMO does) they still have to enter your information into the hospital's database. It's a standard question for admissions, whether inpatient or outpatient. My husband has been for outpatient testing and ended up inpatient more than once, so I can understand why they ask for outpatient admissions too. You may only expect to be there for an hour for the MRI but technically you are being admitted as an outpatient.


Many of us don't have any strong religious leanings, but for those who do, IMHO that question is very useful. I just always answer that I do not require any religious accomodations - which is why they ask.


BTW - in many hospitals the billing office also handles admissions red tape.

[napi21]

15. It's simply information for your record profile at the hospital. n/t

[OhioChick]

25. Hospital billing will ask this even if you go in for a cold.

Nothing new. They've been doing it for years.

[lonestarnot]

28. Seems kind of silly to be asking that. LOL