When a patient updates his patient information form during the first visit of a year, should the patient also initial or sign the form?

I am assuming you are asking about well check ups at their physicians office? If so then any forms that require signatures should be signed. Most often this is your consent for them to file on your insurance and be paid for services rendered. If you refuse to sign such forms, then it is well within the practices rights to demand payment in full from you at the time of service, as your refusal to sign is the same as stating that you either want to file your own claims and be reimbursed directly, or that you do not want it filed on your insurance because you think your premiums will go up. This is crazy thinking either way, because if you pay the doctor then wait to be reimbursed, you will only get paid the contractual amount due to that provider, not what you paid, and if you think your premiums will go up, the reason for health insurance is to defer the costs to the patients, and any increase should be minimal. Besides, if you don't use your insurance, you are lining the fat cats pockets even more. Susu