Can I have surgery under a different name? (photo)

Question

I really don't want a record of my surgery. Wondering if I can use an alias and pay in cash?

Steven Teitelbaum, MD · Answer

I operate on celebrities who use aliases all the time.  If they can do it, why can't you?The only issue is that if you do it under an alias you cannot use insurance to cover the surgery.Though the other commentators are correct in saying that your confidentiality is protected, there have been cases when staff has copied charts and sold the info to tabloids.  That is a felony and some have been convicted.  It is conceivable that if you were involved in a legal snafu (other than malpractice) that someone would want to subpoena your records (such as if you were in a car accident while you were recovering and they wanted to prove you were impaired), and if so the doctor may possibly have to release them.  So there is never an absolute guarantee that your records will always remain privateIn any case I don't do background checks on my patients.  So use whatever name you want and no one in the doctor's office will know the difference.Remember that if you pay with more than $10,000 cash the doctor is required to report the transaction.

Asif Pirani, MD, FRCS(C) · Answer

Why?  Confidentiality is protected by the physician-patient relationship already.  You must give your correct name to your health facility and medical professionals.Best,

Luis Macias, MD, FACS · Answer

Laws are extremely strict on privacy thus it is very unlikely that there would be a breach of your personal data.  The surgeons office will need your real information for a variety of reasons including safety, medical records and history, lab work, etc.  That being said, my office often uses an alias with celebrity patients, where only qualified personel can see the personal identifiers, for the added sense of security.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

your doctor needs to know who you are and your identity will go no further than the office. I understand the desire for privacy but generally this is guaranteed by any physician.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

I guess you could if you pay in cash, but most offices will want some sort of photo ID.  Liposuction results are highly surgeon dependent.  Find a plastic    surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of liposuction    procedures each year.  Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the    results. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Remus Repta, MD · Answer

Hello,Privacy is protected by law.  With that said it would seem safer to have accurate information about your name, medical issues, etc should medical questions arise.  I would discuss this with your plastic surgeon as each surgeon may have his/her own take on this.All the best,Dr. Remus Repta

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

As you read the previous expert responses you should see how unusual your question is!! One better, can we use a surgeon who would not tell you who they are to operate on you? Think about your issue!

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

All physicians have to comply with HIPAA laws to maintain confidentiality and so your information should remain private in the office.  I suppose if surgery is done in a hospital, your surgeon can discuss this with the hospital administration to provide privacy through an "alias."

Mark E. Mason, MD · Answer

Patient information is protected by any reputable surgeon's office. Our practice takes patient confidentiality very seriously, and no information is given out without the patient's consent. That being said, your real name is part of a legal record should you choose to have surgery. It is to protect you as well as to maintain accurate records of your surgery and medical care.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

The only time I have seen this done is in the movies. If you have specific concerns about your identity being known in a surgery center, for example, you may be able to use an alias there. However, your medical records (with your name being attached to them) will be an important part of your "history”. Best wishes.

Can I have surgery under a different name? (photo)

Answers (11)

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