Class action suit against Apria

[MelissK]

Thanks for the updates. I'd like to know if anybody else has gotten a settlement or if Apria has released a statement pertaining to the resolved case.

I did. Astonishingly, Apria has been silent on this.

[sleeplessinaz]

Nope never got anything from them.

[Jeannh]

As an aside, there is no reason for a health care provider to need your SSN. Ever. Period.

[MelissK]

As an aside, there is no reason for a health care provider to need your SSN. Ever. Period.

There is if your health benefits are solely from Medicare, Medicaid, the VA and, possibly, TriCare (active duty military). Some providers were collecting SSNs in anticipation of the Federal Red Flag Rule going into effect in 2009, but when it did, health care providers were excluded. Some providers may not have realized they are still asking for them.

If you are covered through and employer or individual health care plan, the plan's member and group ID number is all that should be needed to identify you as being the patient. If you don't have such coverage, try just giving the last four digits.

When it comes to class action suit settlements, the class action administrator needs the SSN because the income is reportable and the only way to get the settlement check is attached to a 1099-MISC.