I guess I'm one of the fortunate ones. I had the same orthopedic surgeon for 20 years, until he passed away recently. He treated my grandmother, mother and later my wife, and was a guest at our wedding. I knew he owned a Harley, and was a Vietnam vet, and I knew he had more than a passing interest in guns in general. One afternoon, my partner and I had just gotten off duty, and were cruising the local gun show. We ran into him, and before I could finish introducing him, he stuck out his hand and said "Good to meet you, I'm Bob." We then had a LONG conversation about M16\AR15s and the benefits of the A1 over the A2.
Yes, any answer you give a provider in an official capacity DOES fall under HIPPA, but I can understand where some would be nervous. It is sometimes violated ad you can't put that toothpaste back in the tube...
Many years ago, my grandfather was diagnosed with Shy-Drager Syndrome, a neurological condition that results in multiple system failure. When he needed a neurologist, he wound up with a fairly young one, who seemed a little impertinent, and while he asked relevant questions, the way he did it didn't make you want to answer them. The young man asked a question about sexual function, which IS relevant, but the WAY he asked it tended to turn off the WWII generation off a little but, it you know what I mean. My grandfather looked at him with that look of patrician disdain that he did when considering an impertinent child, and looked out the window.
"Did you hear me", he yelled, assuming he was suddenly deaf.
"Yes, and everyone else can hear you."
The look back indicated that he simply would not answer the question, as he found it to be unseemly. Now, I would have answered it, because I see it as relevant. The doc SHOULD have explained WHY he was asking the question, and would have gotten better compliance, but chose not to. Point being that both men acted within their rights. One to ask, and the other to not answer.
The truth of the matter is that a provider CAN ask you anything he so chooses. (First Amendment right to free speech) YOU have the right to answer or not as you see fit. (Fifth Amendment right to remain silent) Please understand that if you don't, you might not receive the best care available. As an adult, only YOU can weigh the options and make the decision.