A number of years ago when I was born, and I know, many of you are thinking ancient history, I was given a specific name. Sounds simple enough. I was one of those who were given a first, middle and last name but always was called by my middle name.
I was so used to hearing my middle name that I really did not realize what my first name was, other than the fact my parents told me. Most of my friends never knew this either.
Once I started to school and especially into junior high, I noticed the teachers were calling me James. It was aggravating to me because that was not my name. One time when the teacher was taking attendance, I thought I would not answer to that name, but soon realized being marked absent was not what I wanted. Once I got all the teachers calling me by the correct name of Michael, things went smoothly.
I finally got to a point where I could register for various accounts and fill out paperwork at different places by explaining that I went by my middle name and everyone seemed to go along with it, well until I started going to doctors. I had the same issue as I did at school. They all wanted to list me by my first name. It took a little time, but soon all my records were marked as Michael and I was no longer called James. I felt I had finally got this issue straightened out.
The big problem came later in life when I applied for Medicare. Little did I know that Medicare went by first and last name only. The first invoice from my doctor was submitted to Medicare under my middle name, and it was not long until the doctor said I owed on my bill because it was rejected by Medicare.
I was surprised because I assumed my name would reflect what the doctor had and there would be no trouble. I soon realized that I had to basically forget about going by Michael from now on, and I changed all my medical records back to James. Once the bills were submitted that way, everything was fine.
After getting the name issue taken care of, and being on Medicare for over four years, the only problem I have now is when someone calls me Michael, I think they are talking to someone else.
That's funny. My husband had the same deal- James Andrew. Went by Andy. Though living where I do, the locals often called him Jim Andy. Thankfully, by the time he applied for Social Security, his grandfather who went by James had passed away.