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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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