@Jason844 I don't think people understand the sheer amount of data that is shared with #Medicare and #Medicaid when they see a healthcare professional and a claim is filed for payment.
It's not just medical related but social, personal opinion, etc. The more data points they include with what is called ICD codes, International Classification of Diseases codes, the better a claim is likely to be approved for payment and some even get more money for more ICD codes.
Now, they use code Z, or Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) codes.
It covers a lot of things that might affect health, from housing situations, literacy, Parental overprotection, Conviction in civil and criminal proceedings, religious worship, POLITICAL views, Sibling rivalry, relationships, etc.
It is all included in the billing claim submitted and many providers have dropdown or check marks with nothing else to add, to include it to the forms. It's why providers spend so much time on their laptop while you sit in your paper gown awkwardly.
"Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the nonmedical factors that influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, worship, and age. These conditions include a wide set of forces and systems that shape daily life such as economic policies and systems, development agendas, social norms, social policies, and political systems."
https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health
https://www.cdc.gov/about/priorities/why-is-addressing-sdoh-important.html
BlueCross listing of the Code Z
https://www.bcbsnm.com/docs/provider/nm/icd-10-z-codes.pdf