Today’s batch of burning questions, my smart-aleck answers and the real deal:

Question: I recently checked in for a radiology appointment at Mission Radiology. At this and previous appointments in the past, the person checking me in has asked me to sign an electronic pad that attaches my signature to various forms that I am never allowed to see on a computer screen. This is required for me to be seen in the clinics. I have repeatedly asked why I am asked to sign a form that is invisible to me. The answer is always, "Because that is how it is.” I would appreciate your help in finding out why they demand that I sign an invisible form, and whether it can possibly mean anything — legally? Why do they make it impossible to see documents when they require signatures? This problem has been around even before HCA took over Mission. 

My answer: I once went in for a shoulder surgery and ended up buying a new car and marrying a mail-order bride. Now it's all becoming clear to me...

Real answer: Any of us who've been through the Mission system have had to sign a lot of documents, mostly electronically.

Answer Man: Mission Hospital ER wait times too long? What do urgent cares do?

Mission Health spokeswoman Nancy Lindell explained how the system works.

"Patients are sometimes asked to sign a general consent form for services," Lindell said via email. "Even if signing electronically, paper copies of the forms are available for patients."

There has been a transition period, though.

"During the past year, most of our facilities have adopted a new e-signature system that allows the patient to read fully what they are signing directly on the iPad," Lindell said. "We are in the process of updating e-signature pads at all facilities."

Mission competition? AdventHealth applying for new Buncombe hospital. HCA close behind.

As someone in the news industry, I realize how much a lot of customers appreciate an actual hard copy, i.e. paper. It sounds like Mission has reached that conclusion, too.

"Staff has been made aware of the availability of hard copies, and we apologize if that was not communicated well to any patient," Lindell said. "Additionally, patients can request copies of all of their forms and health-related information through their Mission Patient Portal."

As far as the legality of electronic documents, I think it's safe to say hospitals, law offices and other businesses wouldn't use them if they weren't legally binding.

But I also checked on the website of DocuSign, a company formed in 2003 that has pioneered the e-signature technology. The company notes that, "electronic signatures are valid in all U.S. states and are granted the same legal status as handwritten signatures under state laws."

On the decline: Quality of care concerns rise at Mission Hospital

The e-signatures are legally binding.

"In 2000, the U.S. federal government passed the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN), which in tandem with the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) confirms that electronic signatures constitute legally binding documents if all parties choose to sign digitally," DocuSign states on its website.

Posing the question, "Are electronic signatures legal?" DocuSign states:

"The short answer is yes, electronic signatures are legal. But what this question is really getting at is whether an e-signature can create a binding and enforceable contract. And, again, the short answer is yes. Electronic signatures are widely recognized and accepted throughout the industrialized world, and they are also more secure than traditional paper-based signatures and thus less susceptible to forgery."

Question: We have noticed in the county that while some people bring their bins to the road on trash day and then remove them from view the remainder of the week, others leave their bins permanently lining the road. Are there any regulations around this perhaps convenient but definitely unsightly practice?

My answer: I'm pretty sure my wife has some pretty strong regulations against this. If I leave our bin by the street for more than four hours, she's writing me a ticket. I'd be glad to send her your way with her ticket book.      

Real answer: While Waste Pro is the contractor for trash pickup in much of Buncombe County, spokeswoman Tracy Meehan said this query "would be better suited to go to the county. We are a vendor to the county and perform collections as prescribed in our agreement."

More from the Answer Man:

Buncombe County spokeswoman Lillian Govus answered on behalf of the county, via email.

"While strongly encouraged, there is currently no ordinance/requirement in unincorporated Buncombe County requiring residents to take waste and recycling carts back to their home," Govus said. "We ask that residents stage these carts a safe distance from (the) road way, and that garbage and recycling material be placed securely inside the carts."

This is the opinion of John Boyle. To submit a question, contact him at 232-5847 or jboyle@citizen-times.com.