Is It Common for Doctors to Include Home Valuations in Medical Records?
At 38 years old, I've had a recent experience that has left me questioning standard practices in medical documentation. Currently residing in Kentucky, my basic details are as follows: I am female, 5 feet 8 inches tall, and weigh 135 pounds. I am not currently taking any medications and have no ongoing medical complaints or significant health issues to report. After moving to a new area, I sought a primary care physician and found a small practice nearby. During my initial visit, the doctor informed me that he only operates on a concierge basis. This meant that in order to continue seeing him, I would have to pay an annual fee, otherwise, I would be referred to a nurse practitioner. I agreed to proceed with the NP instead. Recently, while reviewing my medical chart, I was surprised to see that the practice had logged the assessed value of my home, along with the sale details, into my medical record. This raised a red flag for me. Is it standard for healthcare providers to include such information? As an occupational therapist, I understand the importance of certain details like the size of a living space or the number of stairs when relevant, but this felt unnecessary to me. Could the inclusion of my home's value be aimed at gauging my capacity to pay for services? I’m left wondering if this is an acceptable practice or if it warrants a discussion with the medical board.
Answers (1)
7/10/2025, 5:01:40 AM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to feel concerned about unexpected information in your medical records. The inclusion of home valuations or personal property details is not standard practice in medical documentation and raises valid questions regarding privacy and relevance.
Explanation: Typically, medical records focus on health-related information such as medical history, medications, allergies, and treatments. Information about your home, including its value, is generally unrelated to medical care unless it directly affects health assessments, like environmental hazards (e.g., lead paint). Recording such details can lead to concerns about privacy and might seemingly suggest financial evaluations, which should not influence medical care decisions.
Next Steps:
-
Review Your Records: If you haven’t already, carefully review your medical chart for context regarding why this information was included. Sometimes, clerical errors can result in unrelated data being added to a patient's file.
-
Contact the Practice: Reach out to the medical practice for clarification. Explain your concerns about the inclusion of the property information and ask for an explanation.
-
Request Corrections: If you find that the home valuation is irrelevant and not justified, formally request that this information be removed or amended in your medical record.
-
Consider Reporting: If you believe this practice reflects a broader issue or risky behavior regarding patient privacy, you may want to reach out to your state’s medical board or professional licensing authority to express your concerns.
Taking these steps can help clarify the situation while ensuring that your medical records solely reflect relevant health information. If you need further assistance with this process, feel free to ask.
Related Questions
Experiencing Chest Tightness and Throat Discomfort
I am seeking some advice regarding my current health situation. Initially, I experienced significant pressure in my chest that persisted for a few days, accompanied by fatigue. After three days, I noticed a progression to a sore throat and a mild cough, along with a sensation of mucus being trapped. Interestingly, I have not had any fever during this time. While the chest pressure has improved considerably, I still feel a lingering tightness, along with occasional shortness of breath and episodes of feeling unusually warm.
Is My Newborn’s Head Shape Normal?
My son is currently 5 weeks old, and I’m feeling a bit anxious about his head shape. We have been incorporating brief sessions of tummy time into his routine each day. I also make an effort to carry him over my shoulder frequently and switch sides when laying him down in his crib. However, I can’t shake off the worry that his head appears to be flat. It concerns me greatly, and I feel like I might be letting him down. He is being fed with a mixture of breast milk and formula from bottles. Unfortunately, he doesn’t enjoy being in the carrier, which is why I haven’t emphasized its use too much.
Chipmunk Bite - Is Rabies Treatment Necessary?
Hello everyone, my 34-year-old girlfriend had an encounter with a chipmunk that our cat caught while we were attempting to release it outside. Should we seek medical attention for her rabies vaccinations? The chipmunk managed to escape unharmed. We cleaned her finger with antibacterial soap and applied Neosporin along with a bandage. Is there anything specific we should monitor?
Sore Bump in Armpit Area
Female, 41 years old. No ongoing medications. No previous medical conditions noted. I underwent a complete hysterectomy on May 7, which marks my significant medical history. For the past few days, I've experienced discomfort in my armpit, but there were no visible signs. However, a small bump appeared last night, and it seems to have enlarged slightly by this morning. I made sure to mark it in the photo I took. I opted not to apply deodorant today and chose to wear a loose-fitting shirt. The area feels tender without any pressure, and it becomes quite painful when I touch it. Currently, it doesn't feel warm to the touch. I am trying to remain calm, especially since it is on my left side. Can anyone offer suggestions about what this might be? I am considering a visit to urgent care after work.
Bright Red Blood During Bowel Movements
I’m a 27-year-old female, weighing 157 pounds and standing at 5’3". I have no significant medical history, nor do I use drugs, smoke, or drink alcohol. My only medication is Paxil at a daily dose of 40mg for anxiety. Today, I experienced a bowel movement, and upon wiping, I noticed bright red blood. It wasn’t mixed with the stool itself. Following the bowel movement, I felt some soreness inside my rectum. A few days earlier, I had a particularly difficult bowel movement that was hard to pass. As of now, I haven’t experienced any additional symptoms, but I am extremely worried that it might be a sign of colon cancer.