Why did the doctor's office ask for my social security number when I made an appointment? I will be a new patient there.

Sometimes a SS# is used to identify you with insurance companies or in your medical record. Often, there can be patients with the same name and date of birth but the SS# will help clarify which person is which.

You have every right to refuse giving that information though.

You SSN is part of your identifying information so as to file insurance as well as keep you separate from a patient who may have the same name.