Marital status needed to make an appointment?

Bizarre experience today as I again experienced as a patient the parallel universe that is healthcare in the U.S.

I'm turning forty this year so decided to make an appointment for a physical with my primary care doctor. I called the office and was told that the next physical available was at 3:30 pm six weeks from today. Not commenting on the lack of reasonable access, I asked if an early morning appointment was available so I wouldn't have to fast all day before my visit. "Why does that matter?" asked the receptionist. I can't imagine why it would be more unpleasant to not eat until 5:00 pm than to delay breakfast until 10:00 a.m. The receptionist couldn't imagine that either. She then informed me that the next morning physical available was in April. I'm an established patient of the practice that espouses access, quality, etc. all over it's website and they can't see me until April.

So I call another practice...a big one here in Atlanta with a strong, serious reputation. Access is better (three weeks rather than six until their first appointment), but the person on the phone proceeds to "get my information." Included in this antiquated process is the question "Are you married, single or divorced?" What? Why is my marital status the business of whoever answers the phone at a doctor's office? How is it relevant to my making an appointment with a physician? In addition, what if I were "none of the above"? I was tempted to say, "I'm a gay male previously divorced with six kids, now married in Massachusetts which isn't recognized in Georgia - so just call me single." Would have been great to hear the silent pause after that. Many of you know that I'm neither gay nor divorced and have two kids. I've only been to Massachusetts a couple of times in my life. The point is that the question would never be asked in any industry that treats clients like customers. It's rude - like a lot of healthcare in the U.S.