Social Security numbers and Doctor's offices?

Does anybody know why a doctor's office or hospital would need a child's social security number to treat them. All a theif needs to get a hold of your identity is your social security number and your address. Does it not seem dangerous to hand out a child's social security number to anyone (it is not like they need it for bill paying purposes, like they would an adult) even a doctor's office or hospital?

Yes, it is, but it's common practice. The Social Security Administration says that you cannot require the use of SSN, but most insurance companies and employers still use it. You can refuse to give it, but then they will probably refuse service, which they can do legally.

I have never been asked for my son's SS number at his pediatrician's office. All I did was give them his medical card.

Your SS number is tied to your insurance card. So it is for billing purpose.

Also, what happens if there is another Jane Doe being treated by the same doctor? There's a child with my exact name being treated by my doctor and that's the way the can for sure tell us apart and keep our records straight is by double checking our SS numbers.

I'd say identification purposes, if you have health insurance they need to know if that person actually has insurance so that they get paid.

It IS for billing reasons.

They may need it to help distinguish between other persons with the same name, plus a lot of times, it is tied to billing. Don't worry, HIPPA protects that information in a doctor's office or hospital.